Low back pain at 2.5 hrs into rides
This is a problem I had last year on my road bike with aero bars... I completed 2 HIMs last year and in my training rides, would always feel good until right at the end when my back would start to get a little stiff/numb. I didn't think much of it until at my last race a few folks passed me in the the couple miles of the bike because I just couldn't stay comfortable in aero position and I fell off the pace.
Fast forward to this year, I've had another bike fit from Todd @TT BIke Fit over the winter. Basically, I've got a good aero position for a road bike, so this is where we left it. I was fit for a tri Nike, but that's not in the budget right now. I rode for 3.5 hrs as called for in the IM plan yesterday and was loving the ride until about 2:15 when I just got more and more uncomfortable until the back numbness set in again around 2:45 and lasted through 3:30. I'm not a fast cyclist and 3.5 hrs is good for just over half the IM mileage....I need to fix the back issue if I have any hope of being comfortable for 7 hours on the bike in Placid.
I know stronger core may come up and I can work on that, but I don't think my core is really that weak.
Thoughts?
Fast forward to this year, I've had another bike fit from Todd @TT BIke Fit over the winter. Basically, I've got a good aero position for a road bike, so this is where we left it. I was fit for a tri Nike, but that's not in the budget right now. I rode for 3.5 hrs as called for in the IM plan yesterday and was loving the ride until about 2:15 when I just got more and more uncomfortable until the back numbness set in again around 2:45 and lasted through 3:30. I'm not a fast cyclist and 3.5 hrs is good for just over half the IM mileage....I need to fix the back issue if I have any hope of being comfortable for 7 hours on the bike in Placid.
I know stronger core may come up and I can work on that, but I don't think my core is really that weak.
Thoughts?
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Comments
What's it feel like if you just ride it as a road bike? Any pictures of your fit? I'm certainly not going to second opinion Todd but I'd like to see it.
Attempting to ride your bike "aero" when you more or less can't is just a losing proposition anyway you look at it. Had this been IMLP, odds are you wouldn't have been able to finish the bike and if you did you would have walked for 26 miles. Neither of those scenarios sounds good.
The roadie position is certainly slower than a tri position but that assumes the rider can hold the tri position for the required distance. Your aero position is worthless if you can't finish the ride or run after. My advice would be to ride your bike roadie style for the next couple of training rides and see how that works.
That's in addition to some core and flexibility work.
I don't think it's a bad idea to try it with a road set up. As you mentioned, if I can't maintain the position, it's pointless. I keep thinking of all the time I'll be spending out on the course though! I don't generate that much power, so it seems like every advantage is essential! I do see how that is irrational thinking though. I am looking at maybe a used tri bike, but not going well yet. I will see how the next few rides go.