Pain, Depression, and Reflux

Harvey Said:

Back pain after road cycling and not during?

We Answered:

When you use muscles that you normally don't some day after discomfort can happen. If this becomes a persistent problem consult a doctor. You can also check here to help with this and other bike related pain issues.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html

Jackie Said:

Lower back pain while biking?

We Answered:

First of all, relax when you ride. No matter how strong or in shape your muscles are they are going to get sore when they are tensed up in the same position for a few hours. Secondly, periodically throughout your ride stretch while on the bicycle. Third, many cyclists have overly strong quads in comparison to their hamstrings. So stretch out those hamstrings before and after you ride. This will relieve a lot of pressure in your lower back. Fourth, you may want to consider getting an exercise ball. They are cheap, and they work out your entire core.

Gerald Said:

I asked a question a while back about lower back pain, everyone said it sounded like sciatica.?

We Answered:

I have had sciatica for 14 years, caused by damage to the nerve from a ruptured disc that was misdiagnosed for far too long. I have had surgery, been to over 60 sessions of physical therapy, countless adjustments with 3 different chiropractors, I have had steroid injections that did nothing but make the pain worse, I have been on numerous pain medications (including one that wrecked my stomach) and I have had an device implanted in my spine that worked but had to be removed due to rejection. I have found that walking helps the most (or swimming when I can get to a pool) and I need to avoid excessive lifting, bending or twisting and all high impact activities. I never sleep on my stomach and when I sleep on my back I put a pillow under my knees. When I sleep on my side I put a pillow between my knees for extra support. Some days when the pain is at its worst all I can do is rest. I can completely relate to the loss of flexibility because I have that too, as well as loss of strength in that leg and less mobility overall. I also favor that leg so I am causing stress on my good leg and it is affecting my ankle and knee. I have never heard of the condition you have but it is very possible it is causing some of your trouble. Have you had diagnostic testing to rule out any other cause of this pain, like disc issues? If you haven't, please consider it. If I find any info on your condition, I will post it later. Please take it easy, stay off your bike for a little while and rest. I know all too well how you are feeling right now. Best wishes.


Addition: Military spine is also called ramrod spine or flat pelvis. Here is a site with more information:
http://www.iscoliosis.com/symptoms-flat.…

Rachel Said:

why do i have lower back pain when i go for long distances on my road bike i fitted myself why its crazy pain?

We Answered:

It's most likely rider fatigue.

Your muscles are simply getting tired, and riding long distance pushes them beyond what they can do. What helps is training your core. Do exercises that incorporate bending backwards ~ like some yoga positions or a wrestlers bridge, or back-bends. When you start to feel pain while you're riding, you should stop and do some backward stretches. Trying to push through the pain never works when it comes to your back.

Jeremy Said:

Bending over to pedal a road or mountain bike can be painful on my back. How can I get rid of the pain?

We Answered:

Well there is... but you'll need equipment for that or a studio...
I can just describe it... Well there is something like a chair but you kneel on it and hold some weight to your chest and bend over slowly and back up... This thing worked wonders for me... I always had pain and after training for a week it was already far better...
There is one without, but I don't like it very much because of the pressure on certain points... Lay on your stomach on a thick carpet and lift up your arms, legs and your legs... I usually did 20 and 3 rounds... always hold for 10 seconds...

Gina Said:

Why is my road bike so slow?

We Answered:

Schwinn (to my knowledge) never made a six speed road bike. I'd bet it's an older 12 speed bike. Two gears on the front chainring & 6 on the rear sprocket. Going uphill, the front gear should be the smaller of the two. Just the reverse on the rear sprocket - you should be on the largest gear.

More modern bikes use anywhere from 21 to 30 speeds for more efficient hill climbing.

Thomas Said:

Your Experience riding a Road Bike VS a Mountain Bike?

We Answered:

I used to ride a mountain bike on the roads. I even got a set of 26x1.5 slick tires to make it more efficient. After I got my first real road bike, I never rode the mountain bike on pavement again.

When you do those 63 and 100 mile rides, look at what people are riding at the starting line. You will probably see only a very few mountain bikes, if any. There is a reason that you will see an overwhelming majority of road bikes. The road bike is the machine designed for the purpose. Using anything else is like driving nails with a rock instead of a hammer.

After the first couple of rides, you will fall in love with your new road bike. The position is designed to be both comfortable and efficient for long distances. You will find out that you will be able to do the 63 and the 100 mile rides much faster and with more energy when you're done than if you had used your mountain bike.

Welcome to the skinny tire set!

HTH