Severe headaches after cycling

Ballard

If I cycle up to 20 miles (around an hour and a half for me) I'm generally fine but if I go much beyond that I pretty much always get a severe headache an hour or two after I return and can't shift it for hours. This isn't a new thing as it's been going on for years but I'm sure that I didn't have this issue 20 years ago.

I'm certain that it's not dehydration as I drink regularly and before I feel thirsty whilst on the bike. In 90 minutes I probably drink at least a litre of water.

One thing that I'm wondering could be part of the explanation is my neck as it's normally quite tense. I do try to relax and relieve the tension as I cycle but the options are somewhat limited as you're cycling! I've recently had a couple of massage sessions concentrating on my neck and shoulders but haven't had the opportunity to cycle much in the last couple of weeks so that hasn't been tested.

I did Google for an answer to this some time ago and found an article suggestion that for those who suffer from migraines (I do) this can be inevitable and consequently there's not a lot that you can do.

Is it worth me visiting my local bike shop to get them to assess my posture and maybe make adjustments to the bike? Anything else that anyone can suggest?

I'm not looking to go out for 4 or 5 hours a time but it would be good not to be limited to 90 minutes.

Thanks.

elverson

Road bike with drop bars, or upright bike with flat bars?

Might be one for the GP in the first instance - how is your blood pressure?

Ballard

elverson wrote: »

Road bike with drop bars, or upright bike with flat bars?

Might be one for the GP in the first instance - how is your blood pressure?

It’s a road bike with drop bars although I tend not to use the drop part as access to the brakes isn’t great from there. I’m not very technical but the brakes and gears are integral and I hold onto them. It’s a specialised secteur.

My blood pressure is generally on the low side of acceptable.

pinkteapot

GP trip to rule out medical issues, then I'd pay for a bike fitting session (larger bike shops tend to offer them) to make sure it's all set up right for you, and you aren't straining your upper back / neck?

Nebulous2

I had what the GP said was a depressed fracture of the skull in a car accident many years ago, although it was never x-rayed. I got a lot of headaches cycling, starting in that area and spreading to become more generalised.

Changing my helmet fixed it. Some heads are rounder, others are more oval. Helmets are quite individual with some favouring rounder heads and others oval ones. I also have a large head with the largest size from some companies being too small. Large Giro helmets all seem to work for me.

I'm not saying your issues are helmet related, it sounds as if you should see your Doc, but making sure your helmet is properly fitted wouldn't do any harm.

If it is tension try sitting up and consciously relaxing regularly. Holding the same position a long time puts a lot of strain on your muscles. A change of position even for a couple of minutes every 1/2 an hour can make a big difference.

missile

You might want to stop every hour?

Ballard

Thanks for all of the replies, they’ve been very useful.

It’s tempting to self-diagnose and I’m wondering whether it could be a combination of a tense neck and low-ish blood pressure. I have passed out on long haul flights a couple of times which I connect to this.

I hadn’t considered that the helmet could be an issue. It is fairly tight but not so that it causes discomfort. I do try to change the position of my shoulders fairly regularly. Dropping and raising them whilst keeping my arms in the same position.

I shall try to get to my local bike shop today. I want to change my lock anyway so can take their advice whilst I’m there.

Sarastro

Why don't you do an alternative exercise to see if you get the same problem? If you don't then it suggests bike is the issue. If your GP has ruled out medical reasons, and you do then it's more likely to do with dehydration aspect. Have you tried an electrolyte restoration or energy drink? If either of those make a difference, then it might help narrow down the issue.

Johnmcl7

Is the headache similar to a migraine or different? With migraines I find the pain is at the front of my head, on my forehead and behind my eyes but I've never had this type of headache from cycling. I do occasionally get a different type of headache from cycling where the pain is at the front left or front right and almost feels fluid as it moves around when I move my head but that's from not eating enough or not drinking enough.

When I started cycling I tended to get eating/drinking a bit wrong as I find I need to have some food before a ride rather than wait until I was hungry.

I've not had a headache from a bike fit issue but then it is possible for slight adjustments in the bike position can make a big difference.

John

Ballard

Sarastro wrote: »

Why don't you do an alternative exercise to see if you get the same problem? If you don't then it suggests bike is the issue. If your GP has ruled out medical reasons, and you do then it's more likely to do with dehydration aspect. Have you tried an electrolyte restoration or energy drink? If either of those make a difference, then it might help narrow down the issue.

I do enjoy cycling and being as I don't drive it's also a major form of transportation for me. I also have dodgy knees and back which rules out running (which I never enjoyed anyway).

I have tried rehydration tablets in water but it had no effect.

Ballard

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Is the headache similar to a migraine or different? With migraines I find the pain is at the front of my head, on my forehead and behind my eyes but I've never had this type of headache from cycling. I do occasionally get a different type of headache from cycling where the pain is at the front left or front right and almost feels fluid as it moves around when I move my head but that's from not eating enough or not drinking enough.

When I started cycling I tended to get eating/drinking a bit wrong as I find I need to have some food before a ride rather than wait until I was hungry.

I've not had a headache from a bike fit issue but then it is possible for slight adjustments in the bike position can make a big difference.

John

It's a behind the eye type thing, just like a migraine.

On a side note I've had headaches at weekends recently which may be down to caffeine withdrawal. I don't drink coffee but I do drink a lot of tea (7-10 cups a day). During the weekend, however, I mostly drink decaf tea. A pro plus caffeine tablet helps shift the headache and my plan is to gradually move onto decaf tea at work and eventually stop taking caffeine in my tea completely. Next time I get a cycling headache I might just try a pro plus to see whether that has any effect.