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neck pain while in aero
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tri_26
Oct 4, 08 18:29
Post #1 of 19 (593 views)
neck pain while in aero
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simple question - 3h30m ride on TT bike today. Longest ride I have done in prep for HIM. Most long rides I have done on road bike...but felt my performance in OLY distance 2 wks ago may have suffered as I had not spent as much time on TT bike. Fatigue and neck pain while in aero position. Is it fit or just need to build-up muscles?
TriToy
Oct 4, 08 18:44
Post #2 of 19 (587 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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sounds like fit
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cat formerly CatIsTriing
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
really I am sponsored - not a joke!
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
jackmott
Oct 4, 08 18:47
Post #3 of 19 (582 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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try it a couple more times, see if it improves as you get used to it.
if not, might have to raise up the bars a bit for the longer stuff
tri_26
Oct 4, 08 18:51
Post #4 of 19 (577 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [jackmott]
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yep - that was my thought as it may be too aggressive of a position to start.
I have some shorter rides this wk, but am pretty sure I have a brick next wknd and then taper...would like to make sure I am good to go for HIM in 3 wks.
jackmott
Oct 4, 08 18:53
Post #5 of 19 (575 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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I'm in a similar situation trying to see if I can get used to my elbow pads being as close together as possible.
...not YET..lol
But my time till discomfort is going up
TriToy
Oct 4, 08 19:26
Post #6 of 19 (558 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [jackmott]
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see my neck pain went away when I brought my elbows closer together! upper back is basically forced to be rounded instead of me having to actively engage lats to get there.
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cat formerly CatIsTriing
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
really I am sponsored - not a joke!
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
psycholist
Oct 4, 08 19:44
Post #7 of 19 (541 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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Neck muscles are just like any other. They need time to adapt to a different kind of stress load. Give it time. Ride your tri bike a lot and adapt.
Of course, this assumes that you do have a decent fit on your bike. But even a good fit takes some adaptation time for maximum comfort and power output.
Supermartin73
Oct 5, 08 7:36
Post #8 of 19 (436 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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Maybe your seat is too high
Martin Zollinger
Ottawa, Canada
2009-first year I have to charge my bike at night (Dura-Ace is on order!)
WindyCityClyde
Oct 5, 08 9:25
Post #9 of 19 (393 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [psycholist]
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Checking fit is key. Also, I have found that my neck is the weakest link and building up miles is the only way to strengthen. I sometimes ride my hybrid when my neck is particularly sore. Yoga plank position is good to do while watching TV. There are some specific exercises on an exercise ball which strengthen stablizer muscles between shoulder blades. Will explain if there is further interst. Good luck.
tri_26
Oct 5, 08 9:34
Post #10 of 19 (388 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [Supermartin73]
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I do feel a bit high in the saddle, but that was based on the fit - which was a good one - maybe I will get a 2nd opinion. Will post a pic in the next wk for critique.
On the stabilizing muscles - I have been working on that as I believe it is a necessary part of training. I agree...I think part of it is just building the muscle.
Sound like lower the seat slightly and ride more!
TriToy
Oct 5, 08 9:43
Post #11 of 19 (375 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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instead of lowering your seat ( which is presumably based on legs/pedals....) you could put a spacer or 2 on your aerobars...
---
cat formerly CatIsTriing
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
really I am sponsored - not a joke!
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Supermartin73
Oct 5, 08 9:51
Post #12 of 19 (367 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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Hey,
Not a big fan of doing mucle work for strengthening stabilizing muscles etc, as you really want the whole upper body to be at rest in the aero position.
Point being...stabilizing mucles (although designed to work for extended periods) will have a hard time working for the whole bike part of a tri.
Almost all the neck/shoulder pain I see from cycling is from the wrong position (bars too low or seat too high etc) and the neck being jammed into extension.
So...first ensure the right position, and definately any change...even to the perfect position will take a period of adjustment.
Martin
Martin Zollinger
Ottawa, Canada
2009-first year I have to charge my bike at night (Dura-Ace is on order!)
eXciton
Oct 5, 08 9:56
Post #13 of 19 (365 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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What kind of sunglasses do you use? More coverage shades might help as you won't have to tilt your head all the way up. I just use Oakley half jacket which aren't that big so I wear them a bit high on my face when riding aero, i.e the nose pad isn't really touching my nose. You let the helmet hold it in place in the higher position. I thought I was the only one doing this until I saw a picture of Macca last year in Kona wearing his glasses the same way :) There was a thread discussing good shades for aero riding. I think lots of people liked the radars. Do a search.
tri_26
Oct 5, 08 9:57
Post #14 of 19 (365 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [Supermartin73]
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Ok thanks everyone for the advice - I am going for a 2nd opinion on my fit... I am sure Kevin at TRIBE can at least make sure I am dialed in...
nfreeman
Oct 6, 08 11:23
Post #15 of 19 (229 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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I think a lot of neck has to do with helmet choice- i can only ride aero comfortably in my aero helmet, because it has less of an "eyebrow"...the longer the eyebrow the more I have to twist my neck to see forwad...
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Proud member of the Guru Cartel, EH!
Cannonball
Oct 6, 08 11:31
Post #16 of 19 (221 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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I had the same issue, lower neck pain. For me it was a fit problem along with flexibility. Check your fit but also work on your flexibility especially in the hips.
namaste
Oct 6, 08 16:29
Post #17 of 19 (139 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [Supermartin73]
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In Reply To
Almost all the neck/shoulder pain I see from cycling is from the wrong position (bars too low or seat too high etc) and the neck being jammed into extension.
My view is that bars are only too low if it shuts down hip ankle to the degree that it effects peddling, breathing or performance. If you optimize aerodynamics neck pain is a given. It just takes time (a month or 2) to develop the strength to adapt. Now if speed (aerodynamics) is not a concern then by all means raise the bars. There is a tipping point where one has to be low enough to get the gains from riding in this way. It usually results in neck pain but going fast is not always comfortable.
Andrew
triguy42
Oct 6, 08 17:35
Post #18 of 19 (117 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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I took off half the summer due to an emergency appendectomy in late June, and just got on the bike a month ago...man did my ass and neck hurt after my first couple of rides!!! My neck was killing me after my first century, and took several days to recover. But last weekend I went out and did 120 with a heavy aero LG helmet and my neck was only vaguely annoying afterwards. A lot of it is because I ride 99% in the aero position, so my neck gets a normal heavy workout. If you do a lot of rides in a standard road position you can expect a lot of problems when you go aero. Train how you race.
BTW-if the pain you are describing is a searing, burning pain when you turn your head, it's probably a nerve impingement in the spine about 6-8 inches below the neck/shoulder joint. If that's your problem, see a massage therapist/chiro...
Charter Member -
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MOP_Mike
Oct 6, 08 18:07
Post #19 of 19 (95 views)
Re: neck pain while in aero [tri_26]
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Here is Greg Lemond's solution:
"...if you are pedaling correctly, it doesn't matter what cranks are on your bike." -- Frank Day
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