If you don't ride often you are bound to get sore during/after rides.

If I do my 5 mile fitness walk twice a week i never get sore from it in any way.
If I do it once a week my hips are sore during the walk and my leg muscles are sore the next day.

If i go two weeks without riding my bike and then ride 25 miles, I am sore the next day in various places, and sometimes have aches while riding too, like my neck and shoulders maybe.
If I ride at least 20 miles three times a week I won't get sore from say a 50 mile ride at all, anywhere.

Not saying this is you, but many folks ride only once a week or so and then blame their bike fitting when they get aches and pains from riding.
It's another possibility to consider.


Very cool about your advances! But I bet 'part' of it is from you getting generally stronger over time from your various increased activities.