Feet getting numb on bike rides

Often when I go bike riding on a cold day, towards the end of my 9 mile ride my feet (which often
tend to get cold) will start cramping up badly. Perhaps the solution would be to wear thick socks
and good boots rather than bike shoes. I wear boots with thick soles and high sides (I wear them to
easy discomfort from an old ankle injury) - that also seems to reduce the tendency to cramp when
bike riding.

Henry

"Radioactive Man" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As I've said before, I am a 31 year old male triathlete with recent onset type 1 (symptoms became
clinical in July 2003). My level of control is good now (waking #'s in the 70 - 100 range, most
meal spikes < 130 except for the poorly planned or measured meals). Lately, I have been
experiencing some numbness in my feet on the bike rides. I don't get this any other time - be it
running, swimming, laying on the couch, etc. By now, I've heard plenty of advice about checking
your feet, shoes, etc. and I'm wondering if I should be concerned about the bike shoes causing or
aggravating nerve damage. I am always careful not to make the bike shoes too tight and try to
pedal in such a way as to minimize the pressures that cause the numbness.

Radioactive Man said:

Lately, I have been experiencing some numbness in my feet on the bike rides.

Check your seat. I know a couple people who complained about numbness in their feet while cycling,
and found that it went away when they adjusted or replaced the seat. Presumably it was impairing
circulation in their legs, or putting pressure on some nerves; but the only symptoms they ever
experienced were in their feet.

Colin Percival

"Radioactive Man" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As I've said before, I am a 31 year old male triathlete with recent onset type 1 (symptoms became
clinical in July 2003). My level of control is good now (waking #'s in the 70 - 100 range, most
meal spikes < 130 except for the poorly planned or measured meals). Lately, I have been
experiencing some numbness in my feet on the bike rides. I don't get this any other time - be it
running, swimming, laying on the couch, etc. By now, I've heard plenty of advice about checking
your feet, shoes, etc. and I'm wondering if I should be concerned about the bike shoes causing or
aggravating nerve damage. I am always careful not to make the bike shoes too tight and try to
pedal in such a way as to minimize the pressures that cause the numbness.

Try a different shoe. I ignored the numbness in my feet until I had nerve damage. Only then did I
change to a "Diabetic type sock", & better fitting shoes.

Some things to consider:

Are you using clips or cleats? Are you using socks that are so thick they cut the circulation in
your feet? Do you have the proper seat adjustment?

hemyd said:

Often when I go bike riding on a cold day, towards the end of my 9 mile ride my feet (which often
tend to get cold) will start cramping up badly. Perhaps the solution would be to wear thick socks
and good boots rather than bike shoes. I wear boots with thick soles and high sides (I wear them
to easy discomfort from an old ankle injury) - that also seems to reduce the tendency to cramp
when bike riding.

Henry

"Radioactive Man" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As I've said before, I am a 31 year old male triathlete with recent onset type 1 (symptoms became
clinical in July 2003). My level of control is good now (waking #'s in the 70 - 100 range, most
meal spikes < 130 except for the poorly planned or measured meals). Lately, I have been
experiencing some numbness in my feet on the bike rides. I don't get this any other time - be it
running, swimming, laying on the couch, etc. By now, I've heard plenty of advice about checking
your feet, shoes, etc. and I'm wondering if I should be concerned about the bike shoes causing or
aggravating nerve damage. I am always careful not to make the bike shoes too tight and try to
pedal in such a way as to minimize the pressures that cause the numbness.

Feet are not the only things that go numb on bike rides. Some of the better seats have a depression
or hole in the seat to accommodate guys' anatomy.

"Colin Andrew Percival" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Radioactive Man said:

Lately, I have been experiencing some numbness in my feet on the bike rides.

Check your seat. I know a couple people who complained about numbness

in

Quoted message said:

their feet while cycling, and found that it went away when they adjusted

or

Quoted message said:

replaced the seat. Presumably it was impairing circulation in their legs, or putting pressure on
some nerves; but the only symptoms they ever experienced were in their feet.

Colin Percival