Those muscles...

LittleB0b

the ones under the bottom of your shoulder blades...

what are they, and why is cycling making them feel like a bag of spanners?

They don't so much hurt when i'm on my bike, but just feel all tight and knotted after. Is there a way to stop this or stretch them out or something?

huuregeil

These ones?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latissimus_dorsi_muscle

If so, unusual that they should be sore after riding. Anyway, the stretch is to clasp your hands together, and with straight arms, bring your hands over your head as far back as you can. Make sure you don't arch your back (e.g. keep your belly button "tucked in"). Massage using a rolling pin, a hardish ball, or a willing partner is also extremely good!

LittleB0b

possibly...

If you take the bottom tip of the shoulder blade - it kind of in abit (toward spine) from there, and it goes up. it kind of feels like it goes under the edge of your shoulder blade.

I'll work on my old man for a back rub.

ut_och_cykla

Could be rhomboid - rhomboids keep shoulder blade in place as you move about . tears in rhomboid are referred to as shoveler's tears - can even break bone on spine where they attach - exquisitley painful but only slightly limiting.

DaSy

Sounds like the rhomboid muscle, it is responsible for adduction of your shoulder blade (pulling it back toward the spine). I get stiffness there on a long ride, I think it is partly due to the fact that I cruise on the brake hoods most of the time, which is extending these muscles for long periods.

Some stretches that are fairly easy and effective here - Rhomboid Stretch

DaSy

D'oh, I was too slow

huuregeil

Ah, if it goes towards the spine and up, those sound like your traps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezius_muscle

Probably a sign that your position is off, maybe you're stretching too much for your bars? For example, you'll put those muscles under strain if your shoulder is rotated round and is too far forward (e.g. its lateral position relative to the spine is too far forward). Try and see if you can relax your grip on the bars, and relax your entire arm and shoulder when riding. If this is too difficult (e.g. becuase you might feel you fall flat on your face!), then you need to sort your position out. If you can ride like this, then practice riding in this relaxed state.

huuregeil

too slow too :-)

Actually, rhomboids seem more likely. But traps, rhomboids, same general deal - the stretches are broadly the same and the muscles function in similar ways. Most importantly, the cure (likely positioning) is going to be the same.

hopper1

I suffer from this, or very similar, but only on my left side!
After about an hour or so, depending on the weather, it kicks in and trying to look over my left shoulder is very painful, but if I persist and hold the position, the pain eases. This repeats right through the ride.
I'm not sure if it's position, though. I have had my current bikes fitted for me and used to get the same pain when riding my R1 and other sports bikes.
I went to a sports physio, who told me to do neck stretches. :roll: