The articulation to look up/down is maybe +/- 15 degrees, and being dynamic it should be a positive movement that strengthens your neck.
That you have reduced neck flexibility decades later could easily just be age…
Cyclists learn that the proper position is to hold the head at roughly the same angle of the spine and to peer upwards at an angle. So you are basically looking UP, but since the top 2/3rds of the spine is tilted forward at 45 degrees, you end up looking forward. However, as the neck muscles tire from holding a 15 pound head this odd position, riders end up like you described.
> could easily just be age…
I'm pretty sure that's the case. :)