Numb Toes

[email hidden] wrote:
:: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: When it first happened it was happening on both feet and only
:: happening in hour plus rides on the new bike with the new clipless
:: pedals. And it was happening to the bad leg first.
::
:: Changing the height of the saddle (I measured and discovered I'd
:: eyeballed it about 3cm too high) and moving the cleats on the shoes
:: helped tremendously.
::
:: Now I'm only getting numbness on one foot.
::
:: But it's the foot attached to the leg that doesn't have nerve damage
:: so I can sort of rule that out.
::
:: And it has started happening on that same foot when I ride the other
:: road bike with the platform pedals.
::
:: Which leads me to believe that whatever I've done wrong and am still
:: doing wrong with the new bike is being done wrong enough that it is
:: showing up with lesser provocation when I ride the old bike.
::
:: What am I doing wrong?
::
:: -M

Move the cleat (some more) on the foot attached to the good leg?

Pat wrote:
::: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but
:: afterwards (go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's
:: Neuroma but just an irritation of the nerves in that area. As you
:: probably know, this happens right where the nerve branches off with
:: one side going into the 3rd toe and the other side going into the
:: 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from the little toe.)

I thought she was counting from the big toe.

::
:: Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something
:: is different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not
:: necessarily related to bike riding.

Quoted message said:

The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.

This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but afterwards
(go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's Neuroma but just an
irritation of the nerves in that area. As you probably know, this happens
right where the nerve branches off with one side going into the 3rd toe and
the other side going into the 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from
the little toe.)

Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something is
different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not necessarily
related to bike riding.

Roger Zoul said:

Pat wrote:

::: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but
:: afterwards (go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's
:: Neuroma but just an irritation of the nerves in that area. As you
:: probably know, this happens right where the nerve branches off with
:: one side going into the 3rd toe and the other side going into the
:: 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from the little toe.)

I thought she was counting from the big toe.

::
:: Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something
:: is different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not
:: necessarily related to bike riding.

I think you're right, fingers and toes are numbered starting with the
thumb/big toe.

I was/still am getting numb toes on long rides, but its because I use clip
pedals and after a while, my feet get all scrunched up into the front of my
sneakers. I haven't figured out what kind of cleats/clipless pedals/shoes to
get yet. Funny, its just the left foot though, not both.

Could you have shoes that are maybe too small in the front section and so,
even with clipless, your toes are getting all mushed up?

Pete Derkowski

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

Quoted message said:

The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.

When it first happened it was happening on both feet and only
happening in hour plus rides on the new bike with the new clipless
pedals. And it was happening to the bad leg first.

Changing the height of the saddle (I measured and discovered I'd
eyeballed it about 3cm too high) and moving the cleats on the shoes
helped tremendously.

Now I'm only getting numbness on one foot.

But it's the foot attached to the leg that doesn't have nerve damage
so I can sort of rule that out.

And it has started happening on that same foot when I ride the other
road bike with the platform pedals.

Which leads me to believe that whatever I've done wrong and am still
doing wrong with the new bike is being done wrong enough that it is
showing up with lesser provocation when I ride the old bike.

What am I doing wrong?

-M

Roger Zoul said:

Pat wrote:

::: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but
:: afterwards (go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's
:: Neuroma but just an irritation of the nerves in that area. As you
:: probably know, this happens right where the nerve branches off with
:: one side going into the 3rd toe and the other side going into the
:: 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from the little toe.)

I thought she was counting from the big toe.

I was counting from the little toe.

Quoted message said:

:: Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something
:: is different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not
:: necessarily related to bike riding.

New shoes to go with new pedals to go with new bike. But the problem
is also showing up when I wear the non-clip shoes on the other bike.

-M

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

::: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but
:: afterwards (go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's
:: Neuroma but just an irritation of the nerves in that area. As you
:: probably know, this happens right where the nerve branches off with
:: one side going into the 3rd toe and the other side going into the
:: 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from the little toe.)

I thought she was counting from the big toe.

I was counting from the little toe.

I knew it! Why? Because counting from the big toe is more common, BUT , I
knew you had to be counting from the little toe because that space between
the second to smallest and the middle toe is the one that gets the nerve
injury the most. If it's any solice to you, my nerve irritation is going
away. The doc said it would be temporary, and it has been.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

:: Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something
:: is different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not
:: necessarily related to bike riding.

New shoes to go with new pedals to go with new bike. But the problem
is also showing up when I wear the non-clip shoes on the other bike.

-M

Okay, then the doc said I had done "something different" and so have you.
But, it is just a temporary irritation and most likely will clear up. The
ideas about moving the cleats backward so that your toes move more forward
is the best solution, I think (besides going back to your old shoes).

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

Pete Derkowski said:

I was/still am getting numb toes on long rides, but its because I use clip
pedals and after a while, my feet get all scrunched up into the front of my
sneakers. I haven't figured out what kind of cleats/clipless pedals/shoes to
get yet. Funny, its just the left foot though, not both.

Could you have shoes that are maybe too small in the front section and so,
even with clipless, your toes are getting all mushed up?

Definitely. The thing about shoes in general and especially athletic
shoes (running, XC skiing, biking, etc. etc. etc.) is that different
manufacturers use different "lasts" to make their shoes. Some are
overall narrower or wider than others. Most common is variations
among such thing as heel width, arch position and height, toe box, and
even variation of length for shoes that are the same "size".

Some people have feet that fit a bunch of different shoes. Some
people have feet that are particular and they have to search out shoes
that fit them the best. My daughter and I have pretty narrow heels,
flat arches and pretty wide mid-fore feet. Not impossible to fit, but
we do have to find the right ones.

On the other hand, I encourage you to try cycling shoes with toe clips
or clipless pedals. Why? because cycling shoes are built with
cycling, not running in mind. The sole is stiff for one thing and I
also think they tend to support the foot better for the pressures and
motions of pedaling. But it is probably best to try on shoes in
person rather than buy them mail order until you figure out which ones
your feet like - after that, it's probably safe to buy mail order.

Good luck.

Camilo wrote:
:: On the other hand, I encourage you to try cycling shoes with toe
:: clips or clipless pedals. Why? because cycling shoes are built with
:: cycling, not running in mind. The sole is stiff for one thing and I
:: also think they tend to support the foot better for the pressures and
:: motions of pedaling. But it is probably best to try on shoes in
:: person rather than buy them mail order until you figure out which
:: ones your feet like - after that, it's probably safe to buy mail
:: order.

Seems to be that you can never be certain about a shoe until your foot as
been in it for many miles....I often find that [censored] happens once I get up to
mile 70 or so....then a shoe that was fine turns to some kind of nightmare.

Pat said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

::: The 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot keep going numb.
::
:: This happened to me after a hiking trip. Not during the trip, but
:: afterwards (go figure). Anyway, the doc said it was not a Morton's
:: Neuroma but just an irritation of the nerves in that area. As you
:: probably know, this happens right where the nerve branches off with
:: one side going into the 3rd toe and the other side going into the
:: 2nd toe. (I am supposing you are counting from the little toe.)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I thought she was counting from the big toe.

Quoted message said:

I was counting from the little toe.

I knew it! Why? Because counting from the big toe is more common, BUT , I

And I'm a counterintuitive person who likes to screw with other
people's brains and do things different just because so I would
obviously count the wrong way.

Actually, when the debate about toe counting got started in this
thread I realized I count from left to right.

Left foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the little toe.
Right foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the big toe.

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Does anyone else count this way?

Quoted message said:

knew you had to be counting from the little toe because that space between
the second to smallest and the middle toe is the one that gets the nerve
injury the most. If it's any solice to you, my nerve irritation is going
away. The doc said it would be temporary, and it has been.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

:: Now, why should this happen to you after riding for years? Something
:: is different. New shoes for walking? Something is different and not
:: necessarily related to bike riding.

Quoted message said:

New shoes to go with new pedals to go with new bike. But the problem
is also showing up when I wear the non-clip shoes on the other bike.

Quoted message said:

-M

Okay, then the doc said I had done "something different" and so have you.
But, it is just a temporary irritation and most likely will clear up. The
ideas about moving the cleats backward so that your toes move more forward
is the best solution, I think (besides going back to your old shoes).

The cleats are as far back as they go without drilling new holes in
the shoe.

I should be a size 41 shoe for most applications but I rarely am.

Although the bottom of the size 41 shoes fit there wasn't enough strap
to close them properly and they were a bit squinchy uncomfortable.

-M

Quoted message said:

Seems to be that you can never be certain about a shoe until your foot as
been in it for many miles....I often find that [censored] happens once I get up
to mile 70 or so....then a shoe that was fine turns to some kind of
nightmare.

With me, if I am going to get the burning toes, it always happens right at
40 miles.

My butt goes flat at 25 miles. Probably both symptoms are my body telling me
to pay attention and change my weight-bearing surfaces every so often.

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted post said:

Actually, when the debate about toe counting got started in this
thread I realized I count from left to right.

Left foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the little toe.
Right foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the big toe.

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Does anyone else count this way?

I just refer to them by which little piggy did what.

In your case, those would be: the one who had roast beef,
and the one who had none (on the left foot.)

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

Quoted message said:

I should be a size 41 shoe for most applications but I rarely am.

Although the bottom of the size 41 shoes fit there wasn't enough strap
to close them properly and they were a bit squinchy uncomfortable.

-M

Maybe you need to consider inserts.

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote, On 6/4/2007 9:41 PM:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

And I'm a counterintuitive person who likes to screw with other
people's brains and do things different just because so I would
obviously count the wrong way.

Actually, when the debate about toe counting got started in this
thread I realized I count from left to right.

Left foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the little toe.
Right foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the big toe.

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Does anyone else count this way?

<snip>
Since you live in China, I'm surprised that you don't count your toes
from top to bottom! :-)

--

Paul D Oosterhout
I work for SAIC (but I don't speak for SAIC)

Paul O said:

[email hidden] wrote, On 6/4/2007 9:41 PM:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

And I'm a counterintuitive person who likes to screw with other
people's brains and do things different just because so I would
obviously count the wrong way.

Actually, when the debate about toe counting got started in this
thread I realized I count from left to right.

Left foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the little toe.
Right foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the big toe.

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Does anyone else count this way?

<snip>
Since you live in China, I'm surprised that you don't count your toes
from top to bottom! :-)

Traditional Chinese writing seems to go in absolutely any direction you want. In
Hong Kong I see it written vertically top-to-bottom and horizontally both
left-to-right and right-to-left. In China proper I seldom see anything other than
horizontal left-to-right, however, except maybe on tall, skinny signs. They've
probably standardized it.

On the other hand, what Chinese do seem to do very consistently is specify things
starting with the biggest, or most general, part and ending with the smallest, or
most specific, part. Names, addresses, dates, times, and probably a bunch of other
things I can't think of off hand, all seem to work this way. I hence think that any
toe numbering system that doesn't start with the biggest toe and end at the smallest
toe probably isn't Chinese.

Dennis Ferguson

Dennis Ferguson said:

Paul O said:

[email hidden] wrote, On 6/4/2007 9:41 PM:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And I'm a counterintuitive person who likes to screw with other
people's brains and do things different just because so I would
obviously count the wrong way.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Actually, when the debate about toe counting got started in this
thread I realized I count from left to right.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Left foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the little toe.
Right foot's toes 1 2 3 4 5 start with the big toe.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Does anyone else count this way?

Quoted message said:

<snip>
Since you live in China, I'm surprised that you don't count your toes
from top to bottom! :-)

Traditional Chinese writing seems to go in absolutely any direction you want. In
Hong Kong I see it written vertically top-to-bottom and horizontally both
left-to-right and right-to-left. In China proper I seldom see anything other than
horizontal left-to-right, however, except maybe on tall, skinny signs. They've
probably standardized it.

Traditional Chinese writing goes from the top to the bottom then the
right to the left, same as traditional Japanese writing. The reason
for this, despite what many people say, is because it prevents your
sleeve from ending up in the ink if you are right handed and using a
brush pen. Logic says to me that if I were to write characters from
left to right with a brush pen there would be no problem with my
sleeves and the ink but real world practice tells me that if I'm
attempting traditional calligraphy I better be going top to bottom
then right to left or my sleeve ends up in the ink every single time.

So far as I know you will not see top to bottom followed by left to
right. If you have top to bottom first it is mated with right to
left.

Standardized simplified characters follow the same left to right then
top to bottom pattern that English, German, French, Russian, and well
pretty much every language except Hebrew and Arabic does.

Most signs in China proper use simplified characters and use the
standardized left to right then top to bottom pattern. With the
exception of signs (especially bus routes) on vehicles in Hainan. For
some bloody confusing reason I have yet to figure out they like having
the characters on the right side mirror the order of the characters on
the left side.

The bike shop truck, for example, says on the driver's side
and on the passenger's side.

-M