intercostal/ abdominal muscle pain after hard cycling

has anyone ever had pain in their rib cage and/ or upper abdomen from cycling? I did some hard miles last week including 7 hours on the road bike one day and some hard trail riding another.
over the weekend my upper abdomen hurt and under my ribs – sleeping was a bit uncomfortable and fully inflating my lungs hurt (only just getting better now).
I thought initially that it was something gastric, but now believe it’s muscular. is this common, never had it before?

Nope – never had that or indeed heard of that type of pain caused by cycling.

Yes, when going from unfit to fit (an annual event). Put it down to muscles that don’t get used getting weaker and more prone to fatigue. Either that or I’m about to die.

yeah I got this once. Lots of things happened all at once – moved house (heavy lifting) and massively strenuous singlespeed bike ride through thick clay trying to keep up with the guys and cycling up a huge hill to meet my boss for dinner wearing a corset. Not sure which was actually responsible but it was hell. I was in agony and couldnt do anything, and especially sleeping was really painful. Couldnt ride/run.

Went to the doctors after a couple of weeks with no relief, and got diagnosed with ‘costochondritis’ which translates as unidentified upper abdominal pain, and loads of painkillers. Went back after 4 weeks with still no improvement, asking if I should see a physio (happy to pay myself, didnt want a referral) and was given more painkillers, an appt in 3 months time for a scan, and strict instructions NOT to see a physio until the hospital scan.

A long painful wait, and the scan revealed nothing and the scanner told me to see a physio.

Went the next day to my favourite physio. She rammed her hand inside my ribcage and pulled out my diaphragm, which she said had got stuck up there, just like any tight muscle which you get manipulated free by a physio.

Instant relief! Soooo annoyed that the doctor told me not to go as I could have saved myself months of non-riding misery.

So that was my experience. Its never come back, but I do some simple diaphragm stretches (basically reaching up and to the side while deep breathing) every so often.

She rammed her hand inside my ribcage and pulled out my diaphragm

😯 not sure I have the same access to that area as you appear to.

it’s not as bad as yours sounds, but it sounds familiar. stretching does seem to help and whilst fully inflating my lungs was hurting it did appear to loosen it up a bit.

I get that sometimes, foam rolling usually loosens it up.

Any of the evening crowd have any experience of this?

well, the pains went away by themselves, but I’ve decided to work on my core anyway as I think it was 7 hours on the hoods that did it.

Hungry, obviously.