Nerve impingement on the bike

[OakLeaf]

What about a hands-free hydration system like triathletes use? Some of them are frame mounted so you wouldn't need aero bars. You'd still probably have to dip your head and shoulders to drink from a non-aero position, but you wouldn't have to grab a bottle?


ETA - or since you're okay with reaching for the drink tube of your Camelbak, maybe you could put an extra long hose on the bottle in place of the straw, and clip it to your handlebars somehow?

[Catrin]

I think the head dipping thing would cause another problem - but FIRST I need to rule out the hydration pack as the cause of the problem. Sunday morning is an intense conditioning group training session so I don't normally ride on Sundays. However, unless we do a lot of deadlifting or overhead work today I will get the bike out this evening for a gentle ride and just take a water bottle/stop when I need to drink. From what I've been able to tell the intensity of the ride isn't related to the onset of my symptoms so a gentle ride should tell me something.

I SO wish I lived close to Wahine or Knotted!

[Crankin]

I second investigating the pack as the cause, before you do anything. I have had a similar lower back issue that was definitely related to the type of waist pack I was wearing while nordic skiing. Yes, I already had a sensitive spot/issue there, but the weight and angle of the pack just pushed it over the edge.
I've spent 2 months rehabbing, and while it's better, and I stopped the PT visits, I feel like this is something I could have avoided. Now I have to do a whole bunch of stretching to keep it from coming back! I will definitely be investigating new options for next winter.