Clifton CC

Hi.

Well I went out yesterday and went with Clifton CC, did 72 miles and I got back ache, I had a backpack on though, but today I've done about 15 miles, then 11 miles but I had no backpack on and I've got slight backache, any idea what could be causing it?

Thanks
Will

It may be worth checking that your bike fit is right (Rob's put some notes on this up on the website). It could also simply be that the ride was twice as long as you'd done before, which stresses your body and will take a few more rides like that for you to get used to. And/or it could be the rucksac, but in my experience that only really cuts in when you're carry a fair bit of weight - I get a nasty dull ache in my lower back if I ride too long with a heavy rucksac (even a proper cycling-specific one with waist and chest straps).

Thanks.

I hope its not my frame size, its a small size and I'm 5ft 9", I was told to stand over the bike so the frame is inbetween my legs and was told how far is the frame from the privates and I said 1" and they said it was fine, I also got a stem extender too, dont know if its too high or low, I guess next time I come to exibition square on satgurday I should ask one of the other riders.

Bike shops really ought to get a bit more scientific about their sizing (some already are - Cycle Heaven have the BikeFit system in the shop) - the "knackers above crossbar" technique tells you nothing apart from the fact that you won't squish yourself when you step off at traffic lights! As you suggest, get someone who's been riding for yonks to take a look at your posture next time you're out - it's often easy to spot (and if there *is* a problem it may be simple to sort by swapping the stem, shuffling spacers, adjusting bars or saddle). On the other hand as I said before, it may just be you need to build up core muscle strength by doing more long rides. Don't panic!

Hi Willhub

Hope you enjoyed the ride on Saturday. You have proablby already worked out that I'm the lad you rode into York with on Sat morning from Cawood.

I agree with everthing that has being siad in reply to back ache and will just add that if your serious about continuing to cycle regularly then it is worth having the bike fitted correctly. And also follow Kevins advice that he give you that proper cycle kit is much more comfortble and also ditch the back pack. There no point in making it even harder. Sorry I didnt go with your group and ultimately ride back with you but it seems to me whenever I turn up on Sat I get told by Kevin which group to join. But to be honest I think Kevin was a bit hasty splittng the group agiain leaving just 3 to go to Knaresborough. I personal thought 3 more could have come to Malton with us.

Jon G wrote: Sorry I didnt go with your group and ultimately ride back with you but it seems to me whenever I turn up on Sat I get told by Kevin which group to join.

You've been out on a few rides now, just ride with a different group if you want. Kevin won't mind!

Your advice about bike fit + dumping the rucksack is all good stuff, and I'm mainly posting this to say "Do what he says" to the OP.

Hold on a minute guys - Kevin has more experience than pretty much the whole of the rest of the Saturday bunch put together. He is the leader of the Saturday set-up and I have complete faith that his recommendations are sound and to be trusted.

Riding in a group with others does require a bit of learning and Kevin ably passes on these skills - I'm sure that once he feels that newcomers are ready for a larger bunch he will advise accordingly!

Hi.

Sorry I havent replied I totally forgot I even created this thead.

Anyway today did 82.7 miles and got back ache again but only towards the end so seems to be getting better, I have been meaning to alter the saddle and handle bars position, I have it fully forward at the moment, proberbly going to try moving it back, and I have a stem extension, will try raising/lowering, just dont want to loose the position but kevin did they most important this is to be comfortable.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Bit of ache after 80-odd miles isn't bad. If you decide to shift things on the bike, do it by small amounts at a time and do one thing at a time, then give it a couple of long rides to check the effect.

Could be the handlebars are slightly too low - that's why I get back ache. If you've not cut down the stem, try raising them by a spacer.

I have noticed I've always easilly got back ache, low back ache, or pulled muscles, just from running a short distance that used to bring on back ache for me, got it at college once and could not move for about 30 mins, tried to stay as still as possible to ease it as it hurt badly if I moved. Today my lower left back is abit stiff feeling, seems I must have pulled a muscle there.

I dont know if the handle bars are too low I mean if I raise them much more they will be level with the saddle.

Speaking as someone with a very dodgy back (and i'm only 19) I strongly suggest you go to your doctor and get referred for some physio. If lifting your bars a bit helps then that's great, but you want to really get to the source of the problem and sort it before it gets worse.

I went to Haxby cycles today, and the guy there kindly adjusted my seat position, height, handlebars position and height, gave me a cup of tea and a biscuit, then rang halfords up to complain about the bike , was brill that!, then I went to test the new positions out and had a ride up to sherrif hutton and went around the 10.5miles hilly TT route then back up to york the usual way through strensall and all that and back home, clocked up 62 miles today averaging 18.7mph and seemed much easier than before to keep those speeds, was not as fast on the TT route due to lack of energy I think as I never eaten anywhere near as much before, and no number on my back and all that so was quite abit slower, still got faster down the hill @ 42.7mph but was at the max, any faster and I would not be able to pedal.

towards the end when I got home I had slight back ache still but thats over 62 miles and nothing compared to how it used to be so the position has helped not to mention I was going alot faster than I usually do too. The guy in haxby cycles said the bike is waaaay too small its like a girls bike, so hopefully halfords will get back but I cant see anything happening so oh wells.