Pain between shoulder blades

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
Perhaps there is something bad with my technique?
One mistake that I made before that 50 mile ride was pumping tires too
much
which combined with somewhat rough road contributed to a lot
unpleasant shaking.

Thanks for any suggestion,

JT

On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:
Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.

You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

The only time I got that was when I was overstretched. Try a shorter
reach.

On May 12, 6:21*pm, Woland99 wrote:
Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
Perhaps there is something bad with my technique?
One mistake that I made before that 50 mile ride was pumping tires too
much
which combined with somewhat rough road contributed to a lot
unpleasant shaking.

Thanks for any suggestion,

JT

Saddle forward for LESS weight on the arms? That doesn't make sense.
It could be just the change in position, too. For longer rides it is
imprtant to keep the upper body relaxed, not tense, and not scrunched
up. And to change hand positions and stand every once in a while to
keep things loose.

Joseph

On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.

You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of
these.
I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to
repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant
change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats
backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better
corresponds
to the location of the ball of my foot.

On May 12, 2:06 pm, Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:



On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.

You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of

Where do you grip the bars tight? Right before the hoods? Might be the
wrong type bend for you. The Novara comes with Ritchey Biomax bars.
Lot of people love them, but who knows. You can try making sure that
the "ramps" before the hoods aren't sliding you down. Mess with the
angle. Mess with the angle of the levers on the bars. Don't be shy.
Try adjusting the stem angle up a bit.

Handlebars are relatively cheap, so don't not miss out on trying out
some different bends. Everybody should try some classic Maes bend
Nittos. It's a good inexpensive place to start. Should fit that stem
with a shim.

Again, get more specific. Where are you gripping when it gets to ya?

Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of
these.
I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to
repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant
change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats
backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better
corresponds
to the location of the ball of my foot.


I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything.
I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK.

Lou

On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman wrote:
Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of
these.
I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to
repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant
change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats
backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better
corresponds
to the location of the ball of my foot.

I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything.
I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK.

With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying
an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the
road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a
month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into
"position."

On May 12, 3:31 pm, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman wrote:

Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:

Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)

Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.

Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.

Give us a clearer idea of what's up.

It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of
these.
I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to
repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant
change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats
backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better
corresponds
to the location of the ball of my foot.

I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything.
I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK.

With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying
an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the
road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a
month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into
"position."

Thanks for suggestion. When I bought the bike I got stem adjusted in
slight upward position - the idea was to slowly lower it when I get
used to a bit more stretched position. But perhaps it may make sense
to move it even more upward for now.
I hope that it will eventually go away - I tried putting ice pack
on the sore spot and it helps somewhat. I have another 55 mile ride
this coming Sat - and with that pain it will not be fun.

Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 3:31 pm, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 2:30 pm, Lou Holtman wrote:

Woland99 wrote:
On May 12, 11:38 am, landotter wrote:
On May 12, 11:21 am, Woland99 wrote:
Well I did my first 50 mile ride this Saturday. Started biking in Dec
with just
3-4 miles rides so I guess I made some progress. 50 miles was not too
bad
except for really nasty pain between my shoulder blades after about 35
miles.
Is that something that can be avoided? I had bike fitted and saddle
was moved
forward slightly for less weight on my arms. So I presume bike
geometry is OK.
You'll have to hope for a clairvoyant responder--as you don't mention
type of handlebars, height, width, your physical issues if any,
etc... ;-)
Start with the basics though--try to not hunch when you ride. Relax.
Stop and stretch. Don't grip the bars like Homer Simpson on Bart's
neck.
Don't presume bike geometry is OK, btw--and don't think that moving
the saddle is a substitute for getting the bar in the right place--if
that's your real issue. Mind, I just bumped my new saddle forward 5mm
to get "just right" the other day in relation to the hoods--that's one
thing--but if you've got a short stem and your elbows are locked out,
it's time to get the right size stem, as that's a bigger fix.
Give us a clearer idea of what's up.
It is just regular touring bike - Novara Randonee. So perhaps one with
slightly longer top tube but it should be ok for me - I have short
legs
and long torso. Drop handlebars. Bike was fitted so it width of the
handlebars is correct for my shoulder width. I do have weight problem
and yes I tend to grip bars very tightly - but I work on both of
these.
I will definitely go to place that did the fitting and ask them to
repeat the process (they guarantee it for 1 month). One significant
change that they did (beyond moving saddle forward) was moving cleats
backward by about 15mm - I think that this position better
corresponds
to the location of the ball of my foot.
I would wait for some rides before moving/adjusting anything.
I go through that proces every season. After two or three rides I'm OK.
With the adjustable stem on the Novara, it's just a matter of carrying
an allen key in your shirt pocket and doing a little monkeying on the
road. I'm with you, though. If I have been off the "sport" bike for a
month--it takes a couple rides for the back to relax back into
"position."

Thanks for suggestion. When I bought the bike I got stem adjusted in
slight upward position - the idea was to slowly lower it when I get
used to a bit more stretched position. But perhaps it may make sense
to move it even more upward for now.
I hope that it will eventually go away - I tried putting ice pack
on the sore spot and it helps somewhat. I have another 55 mile ride
this coming Sat - and with that pain it will not be fun.


Keep your elbows in a slight angle and stretch your back before the ride
(fingertips/handpalms to the ground with straight legs).

Lou