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3 Replies Last post: Apr 24, 2007 11:18 AM by jroden  
Click to view woodrunner's profile Pro 91 posts since
Aug 11, 2006
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Apr 24, 2007 10:31 AM

Stiff neck on tri bike

I got a professional fit on my tri bike and have been riding on a trainer the last 3 months feeling very comfortable, no issues at all. But since I started riding on the road recently I get a stiff neck after a couple hours from tilting my head up to look ahead. Does this happen to others? Do I need to just keep my head down more on my tri bike, and ride my mountain bike when I want to take in more of the scenery?
Click to view jroden's profile Legend 1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
1. Apr 24, 2007 11:06 AM in response to: woodrunner
Re: Stiff neck on tri bike
No, you need to see where you are going and if your head is down, your helment catches air in the back.

A lot of people have this problem, try giving a slight twist of your head so one eye is higher, sometimes that helps, sort of pirate style.

It takes strength to hold up your head, it weighs a lot. In time you will develop the muscles.

BUT--if you get radiating pain or pain after cycling that doesn't subside, perhaps you have a pinched vertabrae, it's common for cyclist to get this after riding for a long time, crashing seems to aggravate it also.
Click to view jkv135's profile Pro 160 posts since
Oct 11, 2005
2. Apr 24, 2007 11:13 AM in response to: woodrunner
Re: Stiff neck on tri bike
quote:<HR>Originally posted by jroden:
crashing seems to aggravate it also.<HR>


Doesn't crashing pretty much aggrevate everything? Just kidding JR!
Click to view jroden's profile Legend 1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
3. Apr 24, 2007 11:18 AM in response to: woodrunner
Re: Stiff neck on tri bike
I laid it down a couple weeks ago and my neck is still stiff, I hit on my side but there always seems to be some whiplash action. What a dumb sport.

I have problems with pinched nerves from years of racing in drop bars, I think the action of pulling with the arms and back while craning the head upward to see up the road leads to this problem. I was able to get relief from some exercises by a guy named Mckenzie, it got to the point where my arms would burn and go numb and I couldn't sleep, now it's manageable.