First day back in the saddle and back spasms

ExCyclist
ExCyclist Posts: 336
edited April 2016 in Road general
Cracking day for a ride yesterday so jumped on the trusty Ridley and set out for Matfen in Northumberland (lovely coffee and millionaire shortbread at the cafe up there).

23 miles in and my lower back goes crackers. Spasms resulting in shortness of breath (honestly I wasn't knackered), back pain for the rest of the ride even after stretching out and taking a break.

Turns out the fact I raised the seat post by 1cm is the thing that has done it. Now off the road for a couple of days till the pain subsides.

Lesson learnt - don't bugger about with the bike after it's been fitted :D

Comments

  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Cracking day for a ride yesterday so jumped on the trusty Ridley and set out for Matfen in Northumberland (lovely coffee and millionaire shortbread at the cafe up there).

    23 miles in and my lower back goes crackers. Spasms resulting in shortness of breath (honestly I wasn't knackered), back pain for the rest of the ride even after stretching out and taking a break.

    Turns out the fact I raised the seat post by 1cm is the thing that has done it. Now off the road for a couple of days till the pain subsides.

    Lesson learnt - don't bugger about with the bike after it's been fitted :D

    Similar issues! And after reassessing my saddle heigh it seems putting it down by 1cm is going to be the ticket.

    Where's the café in Matfen? I've been to Matfen Hall before for afternoon tea but I've only ever just ridden through Matfen itself on the way home.
  • Mantas
    Mantas Posts: 33
    Do some core training to get your back muscles stronger. Plank is a great exercise.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Mantas wrote:
    Do some core training to get your back muscles stronger. Plank is a great exercise.

    I've figured I'm going to set aside some time probably 2 x 30 minutes each week to do some core training. It's taken me years to realise it but I know it can't be left alone. If anyone has some good workouts or youtube videos, specfically ones where you can follow along rather than just showing you the exercises without any advice on how long to do them for or how many, that would be great.
  • ExCyclist
    ExCyclist Posts: 336
    Mantas wrote:
    Do some core training to get your back muscles stronger. Plank is a great exercise.

    Yep. Regular gym goer and planks are indeed very good. However this is deeper than the muscles that the Plank exercises caters for. Flexion is something that I'll be adding to my gym repertoire now.
  • ExCyclist
    ExCyclist Posts: 336
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Cracking day for a ride yesterday so jumped on the trusty Ridley and set out for Matfen in Northumberland (lovely coffee and millionaire shortbread at the cafe up there).

    23 miles in and my lower back goes crackers. Spasms resulting in shortness of breath (honestly I wasn't knackered), back pain for the rest of the ride even after stretching out and taking a break.

    Turns out the fact I raised the seat post by 1cm is the thing that has done it. Now off the road for a couple of days till the pain subsides.

    Lesson learnt - don't bugger about with the bike after it's been fitted :D

    Similar issues! And after reassessing my saddle heigh it seems putting it down by 1cm is going to be the ticket.

    Where's the café in Matfen? I've been to Matfen Hall before for afternoon tea but I've only ever just ridden through Matfen itself on the way home.

    The cafe is on the opposite side to the pub across the little stone bridge. It's also the village store.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    Also check saddle tilt, too far back and it will put increasing pressure on the lower back.
  • ExCyclist
    ExCyclist Posts: 336
    Kajjal wrote:
    Also check saddle tilt, too far back and it will put increasing pressure on the lower back.

    Check. Also just swapped out my 90mm Rictchey WCS stem for a 100mm stem of the same make and model. Think the 90mm was more appropriate.

    Anyone got a Ritchey WCS 90mm in Black they want to swap for a 100mm in Black in mint condition :lol:
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Kajjal wrote:
    Also check saddle tilt, too far back and it will put increasing pressure on the lower back.

    Check. Also just swapped out my 90mm Rictchey WCS stem for a 100mm stem of the same make and model. Think the 90mm was more appropriate.

    Anyone got a Ritchey WCS 90mm in Black they want to swap for a 100mm in Black in mint condition :lol:

    Out of interest, what made you go for a 10mm longer stem? And the saddle height change for that matter?
  • ExCyclist
    ExCyclist Posts: 336
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Kajjal wrote:
    Also check saddle tilt, too far back and it will put increasing pressure on the lower back.

    Check. Also just swapped out my 90mm Rictchey WCS stem for a 100mm stem of the same make and model. Think the 90mm was more appropriate.

    Anyone got a Ritchey WCS 90mm in Black they want to swap for a 100mm in Black in mint condition :lol:

    Out of interest, what made you go for a 10mm longer stem? And the saddle height change for that matter?

    Vanity. Simple as that.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Vanity. Simple as that.

    ha, we've all been there.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Vanity. Simple as that.

    ha, we've all been there.
  • ExCyclist
    ExCyclist Posts: 336
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Vanity. Simple as that.

    ha, we've all been there.

    Yep. A painful lesson learnt. Also I'll never take the michael out of those with bad backs again :oops:
  • vinnymarsden
    vinnymarsden Posts: 560
    Ex cyclist.....

    As a back pain victim don't ignore the signs! After years of road running I presented to my consultant with chronic lower pain, he scanned me, and 2 days later removed my bottom 2 discs!! Lot better but will never be pain free. He said age is a massive factor, if over 40 then it will probably be disc related, but his recommendation for post surgery was core excercises and strengthening, and the best one was swimming, I can vouch for his advice because after moving to road cycling from MTB a few years ago I can go 70-80 miles easily
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    ExCyclist wrote:
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    ExCyclist wrote:
    Kajjal wrote:
    Also check saddle tilt, too far back and it will put increasing pressure on the lower back.

    Check. Also just swapped out my 90mm Rictchey WCS stem for a 100mm stem of the same make and model. Think the 90mm was more appropriate.

    Anyone got a Ritchey WCS 90mm in Black they want to swap for a 100mm in Black in mint condition :lol:

    Out of interest, what made you go for a 10mm longer stem? And the saddle height change for that matter?

    Vanity. Simple as that.

    Do you mean to aesthetically to make the bike look "better", or how you look on the bike?
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    I did the same just before Liege thinking it would help me on the bike after a decent bike fit. what actually happened was after 25 miles into my last training ride I had to reset everything to get comfortable. I think the biggest issue was the movement of the seat fore and aft. I pushed it slightly back and my back wasn't used to it. I was still able to generate decent power, but it was a position I'd only use for an hour max. have defaulted to my more comfy position!.

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