Hot Foot on the bike- anyone got ideas why?
On long rides (3 hours +) and especially on hot days (ie, Eagleman) I tend to get this "hot foot" feeling on my right foot (generally the outside of the foot). Pretty sure it never happens to the left foot- but then again, I might not be remembering that right. I haven't dealt with it much recently because during HIM races it hasn't bothered me - but Eagleman prooved the issue is still there and I gotta figure it out before Moo.
Anyone else ever have this problem and figure out how to resolve it? I've tried riding with and without socks, that doesn't seem to make a difference. So now I'm wondering if it's the way I push through with my feet. Maybe I need a shim or something?
PS- I almost forgot to post this Q and address the issue until I watched Coach P's vid for the IM plan this week (Thanks P!)
Comments
Is this just the friction of rubbing? Blisters are usually created by friction and moisture. Heat, humidity and rubbing are a surefire formula for blisters. These "hot spots" usually show themselves after a bike ride, while on my transition run.
I think I just need slicker insoles in my bike shoes, to relieve the friction of the downstroke.
The research I found was that it is caused by a nerve problem. The metatarsal nerves seem to be the culprits. I fixed the problem by purchasing some shoe inserts from Specialized, which have what they call metatarsal buttons which keep those nerves from becoming pinched.
The inserts come in different sizes and I have not had the issue since.
Are their available insoles on their website?
You just described *exactly* what happens to me. Outside right foot only funnily enough. I find it's only a problem with my Sidis (which tend to run a little narrow), socks, no socks, doesn't matter - when the miles go up, it happens.
if the inserts don't help with with the problem, then definitely time to change up your shoes. one of the big culprits is a narrow toe box (front half of the shoe). Sidi's for example always run narrow while specialized tend to be more generous.
@ Nemo- Roadie racer pals all tell me to make sure the shoes fit/ wear super loose.
I was getting that kind of thing last year, though on the pressure point on the bottom of my feet, and only on the longest rides. Definitely nerve irritation. As a quick fix, try riding on top of your shoes for a few minutes! (i.e., like you would coming into T2 if you were going to leave your shoes on the bike)
No clue about gangrene but I would not want loose cycling shoes under any circumstances. They should fit much tighter than running shoes. I got hot spots on the outside of my right foot a couple times on really long rides. The issue went away when I got new shoes.
Bill, you are an animal. Where is the Brevet and is there anyway we can track you?
hope you figure this out. I developed the same problem three years ago and haven't figured out a fix yet.
Like Al said usually that type of pain is from compression of the metatarsal nerve. And usually 3rd or 4th interspace. That is why it is usually pain in the lateral foot. Over time if continually irritated the nerve can become thickened and it is called a neroma. It may start to bother you on shorter rides or running etc. One poditrist here in my area who is also a cyclist says the easy way to know if your shoes are right is to just take out the insole and stand on them. If your forefoot hangs over the edges of the insole your shoe is probably to narrow. That is also a good way to check when you are getting new shoes.
It is interesting most people here seem to have problems with the right foot. I do to. My right foot is also a little bigger than the left one. Has anyone noticed a size difference in there feet? It seems reasonable that the foot that is a little larger would obviously have more compression on a long ride when you heat up and your feet swell.
No way to track me; randonneurring is remarkably basic; no aid stations, no chip timing, no t-shirts, no marshals, no crowds. It's a lot of what I'm digging about the scene after plunging into the throngs at multiple M-Dot races. I will post right away on Facebook; there's a lot of overlap between FB and here. I'll post a "race" report early next week on EN.
Todd- yes, my right foot is slightly bigger than my left. Interesting observation.
William- interesting idea pulling the feet out of the shoes for a break. Nice quick work-a-round.
Bill- I'm simply amazed and in awe of how much you've taken to this whole ultra cycling thing! Wow!
Finally, upon further consideration, I think I should take a look at possibly getting new shoes and not just buying the inserts. Maybe I'll take a little time at the bike shop in Madison during IMoo camp to check into it further. While my LBS is super helpful, his stock of things like cycling shoes is pretty limited and I think having options to try on is going to be a better bet.
Al- thanks for the insert suggestion.I will definitely try those. Anything for relief.
Here's a link from a local bike fitter that kind of makes sense.
www.speedmatrix.ca/blog/category/biomechanics
Nothing to add here, except to say whenever I see this thread title in the Forum, I get the James Brown song "hot pants (smokin')" stuck in my head for a few hours. Except in my version, I replace "hot pants" with "hot foot."
Tums. Now I just happened to have a coin purse stuffed full of them in my bag, so I chowed down two, just to see. A fookin miracle; no pain. The RX seemed to last for 90 minutes or so, after which I just popped two more. He claimed it had something to do with the calcium.
Give it a try; it may just work for you too.
I would never have thought of that!!!! Worth a try along with all the other suggestions. Bill- it's so cool to have you here
I am definitely packing tums from now on. It is probably the only thing I haven't tried at this point.
nice to talk with you again. I too had the same problem, I find when I am looking for extra Watts, my right foot moves toe in Pigeon toed. keeping my knees in but this puts extra pressure on the upper ouside of my foot. along the outside ball of foot portion. As soon as I got home from Eagleman I had a fitter look at my cleats peddles and my peddle stroke, He noticed an imballance with my cleat position and that I had 2 wedges under my right cleat. We removed them and I have not had the same problem so far. Keep in mind that I use speedplays and they have a 15 degree of swivel play in the cleat. We also closed down the play so that I am not able to spin my toe in so far. Food for thought?