Quote Originally Posted by grey View Post
Don't forget to stretch!
I have been learning the hard way for the past 6 weeks what happens when you have a desk job, then have a form of exercise that also curls you up, and then you sleep curled up. I too have tight hamstrings, but that wasn't my big problem - I had shortened my psoas muscle from never really bending backward to stretch it back out. Also - years of bending over projects have straightened my spine - the lumbar curve was being slowly wiped out.

As a result, combining those things with me thinking I can do anything, I started digging a hole one day 6 weeks ago - it was the straw that broke the back, I went into spasm, and it has been a long, slow haul out of it. I'm learning NOW - we who ride all the time had better be combining our activity with something that includes stetching - such as yoga, or pilates.
Excellent advice -- thank you! I hope your back heals and you feel better very soon.

It's very painful to stretch my hip flexors and hamstrings. .... I like to say they're "like beef jerky". I'm beginning to stretch as often as possible but I often wonder if I can stretch them at all, or just prevent further shortening. However, I know that it's never too late to start a routine, just like it wasn't too late to start riding at age 51 and I feel and look better now than I did 20 years ago. It's never too late!