back problems

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, you've got the core thing down. If the pain is after 30 miles now and after 45 miles during riding season, then muscle is helping... but now you need someone looking at you. If the pain is only on the bike, they need to look at you on the bike, too.

Have you ever noticed a big leg length difference? (everybody has at least a little difference, it just matters if your body compensates for it or not) Is one pantleg usually shorter than the other, does one leg of your running shorts bunch up into your groin while the other hangs smooth? There are shims and drop pedals to address leg length at the foot, and even subtle things like Brooks or AnAtomica saddles that will give under one side of the pelvis to even out the legs.

Usually there are several things contributing to a problem. If you can eliminate a couple of the more obvious ones, the body juggles the remaining ones without complaint.

It may be that your bike is just too big, but I'm looking at the 30 mile vs. 45 mile onsets and thinking there's got to be a way to eliminate a couple other contributors instead of eliminating the bike itself.

[TrekTheKaty]

3 minutes! I just worked up to 1 minute and I was proud of myself. Gotta go work on my plank............

It took 2 visits (2 mri's) to the best ortho guy in town, a chiropractor and a physical therapist (and a LOT of research on my own) to make me comfortable on the bike. Don't give up. You may never find the exact cause, but you will find a way to cope (for me, ibuprofen and lots of ice after longer rides--and the realization I may never keep up with my DH).

To add to what Knotted said, I technically don't have a leg length difference, but my pelvis is twisted and not level. This results in the whole leg and hamstring shortening--we think. It's that whole which came first, the chicken or the egg............

Good luck

[kenyonchris]

Yeah, you've got the core thing down. If the pain is after 30 miles now and after 45 miles during riding season, then muscle is helping... but now you need someone looking at you. If the pain is only on the bike, they need to look at you on the bike, too.

Have you ever noticed a big leg length difference? (everybody has at least a little difference, it just matters if your body compensates for it or not) Is one pantleg usually shorter than the other, does one leg of your running shorts bunch up into your groin while the other hangs smooth? There are shims and drop pedals to address leg length at the foot, and even subtle things like Brooks or AnAtomica saddles that will give under one side of the pelvis to even out the legs.

Usually there are several things contributing to a problem. If you can eliminate a couple of the more obvious ones, the body juggles the remaining ones without complaint.

It may be that your bike is just too big, but I'm looking at the 30 mile vs. 45 mile onsets and thinking there's got to be a way to eliminate a couple other contributors instead of eliminating the bike itself.

I have never NOTICED a big difference. But it is possible...after the stroke I felt like I was walking on a curb. I don't limp any more, but it is possible I still compensate like a leg is shorter without knowing it??