upper middle shoulder pain on climbs.

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

when climbing, middle upper shoulder pain develops. Holding bar too tight? Usually occurs only after riding 2+ hours. Suggestions?

Are you in or out of the saddle?

Are you in or out of the saddle?
Most always in the saddle. However, the pain generally develops when climbing for longer periods. When climbing, I tend to hold on to the bar vs. the hubs. Last year, on a x-country bike ride, was first time it ever occurred. Even then, in thinking back, I was holding the bar most often. As mentioned, generally starts after a couple hours. Thanks for thoughts.
Greg

:rolleyes: Any others symptoms? How about when you reach for the back of your neck? If so, you may have mild "shoulder impingement". I'm currently going thru physical therapy to recover. Good luck.

:rolleyes: Any others symptoms? How about when you reach for the back of your neck? If so, you may have mild "shoulder impingement". I'm currently going thru physical therapy to recover. Good luck.
Thanks. My posture is not the greatest, I look at computer screen a good part of every day. Sometimes I can get that pain even at work. Thanks for the input. I suspected something such as that.
Greg

Thanks. My posture is not the greatest, I look at computer screen a good part of every day. Sometimes I can get that pain even at work. Thanks for the input. I suspected something such as that.
GregTry to think and be observant of your posture on and off the bike. When climbing it is important to relax your upper body. Come to think of it, try to relax whether or not climbing. Tensing up, holding too tight on the bars, etc., has a negative effect and causes undue stress on the body which just causes a chain reaction - causes you to tense more and the body gets more stressed.

I am a software engineer and spend many hours in front of a computer but I relax, try to sit up straight when I think about it, but also adjust my position at work quite often just as I adjust my position at times during a long ride - sit, stand, move forward or backward slightly. The body notices the change and blood flow is affected.