Rstyle

I get pain after riding 25-35 miles in my lower posterior neck. I am sure it is related to the position on my road bike. I try alternating looking down at the road in front of the bike with looking up long distance for a few seconds. There is also relief ( for both neck and hands) if I occasionally bring my hands up in the bar and sit more upright. It is muscular and no related to degenerating changes, arthritis or disc.
My question:
I would like to start increasing mileage and work up to my first century ride. Are there exercises and/ or stretches that may be helpful to prevent or limit the pain. Any
tips on how to deal with it.
Thanks

deapee

Anyone qualified to answer this wouldn't answer without evaluating you first.

canklecat

Be sure your bike is the right size for you. Read up on basic bike fitting -- appropriate position of the saddle, seat post height, stem height, etc.

Beyond that, work on flexibility and strength off the bike in addition to riding.

My chronic neck pain is due to an old injury and permanent C2 damage. I do lots of stretches. And I'm working more on upper body conditioning.

After three weeks on my first road bike in 30+ years I'm just beginning to enjoy the ride again. Although I still need a recovery day between most rides on the drop bar bike. I rode too many consecutive days in June so I plan to ride the upright hybrid for a couple of days to avoid aggravating the neck spasms.

I know my bike is the right size, but I still need to make minor fit changes to make it right for me. Minor adjustments of 1/8" to 1/4" in saddle and stem position matter. And I'll probably replace the original drop bars with compact drops with a flatter top section for riding the hoods.

Cyclcist11023131

I thought all kinds of things about my neck pain. Hot shower would help. Sleep worked...sometimes. Turned out to be extremely high blood pressure from injured thyroid gland. Now I pop pills all the time. Thank you big Pharma! All better now.😀 Get checked out.

Rstyle

Had a negative X-ray for other reasons a year ago.
I am active, swim, kayak, hike but pain is only on the road bike after riding for a while. Yearly physical and blood work normal.
Did not mean pain extends to my hands but that I constantly move them to prevent
Numbness from riding.
Pain is non focal and generalized in lower neck medial shoulders ( medial deltoid - not the joints)
I would think that strengthening neck and shoulder muscles would do the job but did not know if there were specific exercises bike riders used

10 Wheels

You have a medical problem.

Go back to a Doctor or ask a Bike Mechanic

canklecat

Yup. I've had spikes in BP and headaches from Hashimoto's, in addition to the C2 injury. It can be tricky to pinpoint causes.

AMorrison

I'm sorry that you were in such a situation

Gill1987

how did you deal with the situation

Pop N Wood

I've suffered from spinal stenosis for decades.

See an orthopedic, get a MRI or Xray, consult a chiropractic, take glucosamine supplements

My recumbent has been the best thing I have ever done for my neck pain.