Owie! My poor back!

[sundial]

I just finished riding 27 miles and the last 5 miles my lower back (the small of the back) was really hurting. I did stop and take a 3 minute break at the half-way point, and I felt pretty good. My saddle is level so that shouldn't be the culprit, right?

I try to stretch my arms on the bike and I change hand positions frequently. I stand in the saddle and my butt was ok, but my poor back......owie!

Since I'm relatively new to the distance riding, is this normal?

[Fredwina]

No, it's not. Not sure how to advise you.

[chort]

That's never happened to me.. Do you usually have back problems? I do and I really don't get any problems from riding, though. Make sure you stretch out your back while you're riding. I like to stop every 10-15 miles and do some back stretches.

[Starfish]

I don't think it is common or normal once you get used to the bike, but I know that at the beginning of the season, especially when I start climbing on my bike rides, if I haven't been doing my ab work and lower back extensions, I get a sore back. Then, as I get stronger with more climbing, ab work, and back extensions in the gym, my back pain disappears for the season.

I don't have any history of back injury or chronic soreness, and I can do a lot of lifting, moving and so forth and consider my back pretty strong. But...

Abs and lower back muscles are among those muscles that we need for bike riding, but that bike riding does not develop. I don't know you or your history, but for me, doing abs and back extensions in the gym takes care of back pain on the bike. If I don't do them, my back can start hurting. It is predictable for me.

[KnottedYet]

Try visiting your library and check out "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. It's got some nice simple back stretches and explains a lot of back mechanics.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Some people experience lower back pain when they ride a bike with the handlebars a lot lower than the seat....a typical "racing" position which is often not comfortable over longer distances.