Conference noted::bicycle

    toe-clips or step-ins ?

I was having this problem earlier this year too.  Since I've been using cleated
shoes and clipless pedals for a few years I was mistified at first.  Then when
talking about it with a friend it came up that since the shoes are a number of
years old that the insoles had lost all of their cushioning ability.  So, as a
quick and inexpensive attempt at solving the problem I went to the store and
bought some Dr Scholl's athletic shoe replacement insoles and replaced them. 
The problem has subsided since then and I was able to do a 300K ride with no
problems from the shoes.

If your insoles still have life, then maybe you're cinching the straps down too
tight (since you mentioned that you're using toeclips).

Rich

     Wash 'em! :-) Seriously, are you doing more miles this year?
    
     Could be tons of stuff going on. The hardest problems to diagnose
     are the physical ones that just seem to appear out of no where.
    
     I'd try check the positioning first - something may have shifted.
    
     Maybe the shoes are too tight (straps - laces - both).
    
     Chip

    	RE: ...our feet begin to ache...
    
    	John,
    
    	Who are you sharing your feet with? 8-)>
    
    	Sorry, I couldn't let it pass.
    
    	Scott

    Have you raised the seat on your bike, or pushed it back?
    Over-extension can lead to numbness in the feat. 

         It is possible that you are riding faster this year and as a
    result apply more pressure to the pedals.
    
      

Hi,

Let me clarify:

	a) My wife and I are both using clipless pedals; Shimano shoes and pedal

	b) I don't believe we've worn out the shoes since we only put less than
	   1000 miles on them

	c) The bikes remain adjusted as they were last year...the only thing 
	   that's been changed are tubes and tires.

I assume that something could have moved in the way the shoes are aligned to 
the pedals, but how would one know?

Just seems strange that neither one of us experienced this problem last year,
but this year it's a problem for both of us and affects both feet (which we
don't really share when biking ;^>)

Any and all speculation, appreciated.
John

    Re; "something moving how'd you know?"
    
        I trace the cleat on the bottom of the shoe. When you need to
        replace a cleat you avoid the whole plcement hassle. Good way
        to tell if something moved as well...
    
        Something has to be different (mechanically/biologically).
    
        Good hunting...
    
        Chip

    I have the same "feet fall asleep" problem with my road shoes, but
    that's because nobody makes widths (New Balance "wide" is really
    not) and a nerve on the bottom of wide feet gets pinched.  Actually,
    your Shimano shoes are the best I've found (I use R110's).  If you
    normally take a wide shoe, I'd say you got lucky up til now.  kb
    

    John,
    
         On your next ride try this.  Both you and you wife should gear
    down two gears lower than you normally use.  Increase your cadence
    a little to try to compensate.  See how your feet respond.  I am
    convinced that you and your wife are either riding faster or riding over
    more challenging terrain than you did last year while using the same
    gear ranges ( I think this is a common problem ), am I wrong?
         I am making my suggestion from an experience that I have had.
    This year I am riding about 1 - 1.5 MPH faster than I did last year.
    I train on the same terrain.  My feet sometimes start to become numb
    when I am trying to power a high gear, I solve the problem by gearing
    down and increasing my cadence ( but I avoid slamming my thighs against
    the saddle too hard )
    
    
      Abe;
    

re: .10

Abe,

You could be right.  My wife tends to stay too long in higher gears working at
a fairly low cadence.  However, I'm not sure that this applies to me.  Although
I'm not pedalling at the 100 rpms suggested in another note, I think that I am
turning at a higher average cadence this year than last (this year around 80). 
But, you may have me on your second idea that I may be moving just a bit faster
(though in worse shape) than last year.

Also, when riding "together", I find myself pulling ahead for a couple of miles
and then coasting to let my better-half catch up.  Any guesses whether this
constant work-coast-work-coast cycle would mess up ma'feet?

John

     I think the noter said that 100 may be too high. Most will agree
     that 80 is too low (unless ascending).
    
     I doubt the coast/crank - coast/crank style has anything to do with
     it unless when you engage the crank part you're going for the "hole-
     shot" and mash the pedals.
    
     Chip

re: -1

     "...unless when you engage the crank part you're going for the "hole-
     shot" and mash the pedals."
    

MOI???? ... surely you jest!  I'm sorta a kinder, gentler biker.  I don't mash
nuttin'!!

Bjorn

    
    
    Are you riding out of the saddle more?  I occasionally have problems
    with my feet as I get in better shape and climb more hills out of the 
    saddle. This was especially bad several years ago when I rode in 
    tennis shoes, but still happens when I ride too many hills (out of the 
    saddle) too early. 
    
    
    Good luck!
    
    
    
    doug