This has now happened twice. First at the Dyfi Enduro and yesterday at Llandegla. Both times I was cycling hard uphill and obviously putting strain on my lower back. A new saddle on the Cotic seems to have cured it but I was on the Specialized Enduro yesterday so probs again.

Anyhow – has anyone got any tips about excercises or stretches I could do to help? I heard that stomach excercises are good, is this right?

Cheers
TS

hey, i know the feeling, i have has a back pain prob for a few years, after phsyio to corect my allignment, i started pilates classes. which strengthens your core muscles to hold your whole frame. this is a slow process but im now getting the rewards, i also do a one to one class on pilates equipment, over last four months which has brought my recovery on a lot more. plus you enjoy the added bonus of a flat six(ish) pack tum

I’ve got that new camelbak mule with the nv backing to make it more comfortable. Whenever I fill the bladder up, I get pain in my back, and that doesnt go away until I’ve drank about a litre or so. Apart from that, its a great camelbak.

So you could just try getting saddle bags or something, changing the position of your camelbak, and removing as much weight as possible.

definitely look to improve your core muscles. i get sore backs, but in the last 18months i’ve paddle surfed and that drastically works out your core muscles. touch wood, but i now can’t remember the last time my back locked up.

Another vote for pilates. However its an ongoing routine – we should all do exercise to strengthen our core to help our backs as wear and tear takes its toll – that’s without all the riding we do.

It will not be a one off incident more than likely – its to do with poor posture and overuse of certain muscles over a period of time.

Core stability / strength work. Look at your riding position – I find higher bars help greatly. Ditch the camelback – your back is already in a bad shape on the bike and weight acting on it will not help.

Pilates / gym work / alexander technique all can help

Hamstrings …. plenty of riding will shorten them,so make a habit if stretching every day and especially before a ride.

Cheers guys – sound advice. Never thought about the camelbak!

I’ll check out Pilates as well

Thanks
TS

for me its usually a tight psoas muscle .if you lay on your back and press beside your hip into your stomach and lift a leg you can feel it.i press massge this and its all good

the pain is often a manifestation of a problem / problems elsewhere that may not be obvious – so specialist advice is essential, the following worked for me; stretching every day – its not as hard to get into the routine as you might think and is actually quite relaxing(the anatomy of stretching – Brad Walker, will help identify a routine), sort bike position out (lots of advice on internet) and finally Chiroprator (not sure if it is this discipline, or just that i have found a good guy).

Good luck.