Shoulder pain from riding the drops

Tjgoodhew

Title pretty much says it all.

I am getting quite a lot of shoulder pain from my left side when riding for long sustained periods in the drops. The pain seems to be muscular and tends to hurt under and around the middle of my shoulder blade. (When i say sustained i mean long flatish sections for maybe 40-45 minutes almost constantly on the drops) I do get the pain from riding on the hoods but not as bad.

Its more of a PITA than really restrictive but anything over 40 miles i start to feel it.

Any ideas what the problem could be and any quick adjustments people would suggest ? Other than going for a bike fit or not riding on the drops ?

hatch87

question, why so long on the drops? The amount you gain is offset by the amount you loose from being less efficient until your are high speeds. For me its about 25mph. If I get a long enough flat bit I move about a lot to see the difference and generally the drops slow me down. Watch the pro's, they don't use them as much as you would think, more in attacks, sprints and descents.

But relax, even on the hoods sometimes I find myself tensed up and slouching.

bushpixy

I tend to ride around 90% of the time on the drops. If anything for me it feels better than the hoods.

I noticed while I was on the trainer this weekend I was bringing my shoulders up to my ears so in a conscience effort I'm trying to ride more relaxed.

hatch87

Everyone is different, some people are comfortable in different positions, no point in forcing yourself into a position just because you think you should be there

Tjgoodhew

Any thoughts on why it would be just my left side ?

I am quite relaxed on the bike and only tend to find myself tensing when climbing

hatch87

Its always the left! Don't know why, but if something its going to hurt, you can bet your bottom dollar its going to be on my left, from my feet to my hands.

KMC1993

Tjgoodhew wrote:

Any thoughts on why it would be just my left side ?

I am quite relaxed on the bike and only tend to find myself tensing when climbing

Maybe you have some muscle imbalances?

Mikey23

My muscular pain was on the other side because I'm left handed. Had this when I started putting in long miles mainly on the bars, then some wrist pain when I started to get down on the drops. Pretty much gone now ... I just put it down to my body getting used to the posture

rickeverett

Weakness in the shoulders and upper back muscles is the main reason for shoulder pain after cycling on drops.

Best way to get rid is to do some weight training on the upper back and shoulders. Plenty online about various types. Many you can do at home.

Mikey23

Yup I agree, upper body strength is important in cycling ... Legs don't work in isolation

Monty Dog

Except when really riding hard, you arms and shoulders should be relaxed - sounds like OP has a bit of tension, possibly due to over-reaching or compensation. There's quite a lot of evidence that shows riding on the drops with flat forearms is more aero than riding on the drops (reduced frontal area) - the objective is to keep a flat-back position, not to be a contortionist - if your thighs are just touching your chest, no need to go any further!