Nerve impingement on the bike

[Catrin]

Had a lovely 80 minute ride this morning! However, just as most other rides since my neck injury, after about 45 minutes there are some neurological symptoms in my left arm. It isn't bad, but noticeable. My bike fit has been thoroughly checked, so it isn't a fit issue. It is frustrating given my activity level at the gym - which is far more intense than cycling! Few issues there, and I am pretty good these days about enforcing that rule - if it hurts don't do it... I ALSO have to admit that I've far more "neck after-effects" after riding than I do after any gym workout - and that includes heavy deadlifting and back squats (which have no repercussions - but I don't lift much above my body weight).

This morning I tried to focus on keeping a neutral spine and not rounding my shoulders so I am not over-extending or breaking at the lumbar spine. Of course that doesn't mean I was successful for the entire ride. I DO have a very upright riding position, most of my weight is on my saddle.

I do use a hydration pack, and it is engineered to keep most of the weight off of the back. I've never learned to drink from a bottle while riding and am unsure that my neck/shoulder would actually allow that. It is possible that the pack is causing the problem, and there is only one way to check that out. My next ride I will take a bottle and leave the pack at home - I will just have to stop to drink. While the pack IS 100 ounces, I typically only put 12-20 ounces in it at most for my current ride length, but it must be ruled out.

Any other suggestions? If I can't solve this I will have to limit my riding to 1 hour pleasure rides and focus my more intense cardio efforts to other things. I do a wide series of mobility/rehab exercises every day - I don't think I need to add anything in that department. I am perplexed why this is limited to riding only - so hopefully that will make it easier to figure out what is going on.