After my 26 miles today..

[ChrisRicho]

So went out on the bike today and did my first longish ride on it. This ride has brought up some interesting questions and thoughts:

1} How do, or can you stop your feet from going numb and hurting?


2} Sprinting up a hill is actually fun!


3} My lbs fixed my annoying creek from my pedals, but i feel guilty cause i dont buy all my things from them. I simply cant afford to. But a lbs is very important so is there a happy medium? Or should i just not feel embarrassed?


4} The countryside is a lovely place even in the rain and wind!


5} I really need to get a saddle bag and puncture repair equipment (it will happen soon) and gloves!


6} I really enjoyed the ride out

 

[Globalti]

1 - Have a look at Specialized Body geometry insoles, they're pretty good.

2 to 6 - Agreed!

 

[onlineamiga]

Hi, and congrats on the ride.

There is a problem if your feet are going numb and hurting. Are you wearing shoes too tightly? Positions wrong? using spds, straps etc? I would look at getting that fixed. Ive never had the problem, so hopefully someone else can reply to this with some good suggestions. But you do want to fix it.

Sprinting up hill is fun but extremely wearing By any chance did your feet get numb after doing this? If im going down a hill and then immediately faced by a big uphill, i will sprint down the hill and then pedal in each gear going up the hill for as long as i can then gear down till im on the climb, and it can get me a good half way up sometimes


You definately should get puncture repair equipment.. two spare tubes, forks and a small pump is not much to carry. Get saddle bags yes. I find it far better to cycle without a rucksack on.

The countryside is nice. Gets us away from our faces being pinned to screens all day, and get some decent air. Be part of nature. Yes even if it is raining


Enjoying the ride out is what it is all about. Yes cycling can be hard work, but it is not a chore. And the great thing about cycling is that it can be a very cheap hobby as well. Once you have the kit, you can go out for the day, see some nice places, enjoy a good ride and for free. Cheaper than sitting infront of the TV even

 

[chris-s]

Sounds like you had a good day out.

Re lbs prices, I'm with you on that one and I'm sure the subject has been done to death on the forums. I recently bought some new Schwalbe Ultremo tyres for my bike, £20 online or £44 in the shop, I mean I don't mind spend a few quid more but that was just rediculous. I did buy my bik from them originally, but now only go there for small items or things I don't have time to mail order which is a shame since I would like to put more money their way, but they seem to be doing quite well without it.

Chris

 

[ChrisRicho]

I have spd sl cleats and the dhb shoes from wiggle.

Its all the time to be honest on longer rides. after ten miles. Even on my hybrid and trainers my feet go numb.

Bad circulation? But it does affect the length that i can ride.

 

[Cyclist33]

Make sure the strap closest to your ankle isn't too tight, it will cut off your circulation otherwise.

 

[Lucheni]

1} How do, or can you stop your feet from going numb and hurting?

Could your saddle be part of the issue? My feet would always go numb within an hour. Regularly standing up out of the saddle would help a little but not a lot. Changing my saddle made a big difference. I believe pressure on my thighs may have been slowing circulation to my legs.

 

[lulubel]

two spare tubes, forks and a small pump is not much to carry.

Forks?

I've heard of people carrying strange things when they cycle, but spare forks .....?

 

[zizou]

Your feet will expand while cycling so it is a good idea not to fasten them too tight when starting off (or if you do that loosen them after a while)

If that doesnt help them you can get special inner soles that are suited for different types of feet

 

[apollo179]

Re - feet hurting.
I would try cycling in some normal comfortable shoes. If you dont get the pain then it will establish thats its a shoe problem.

 

[ChrisRicho]

Its any shoes to be honest so may have them set to tight.

I always think they are to loose so tighten them to much i guess.

Regarding forks do i need a knife as well

But yea i need some tyre levers also

 

[Glover Fan]

Re: The LBS, buy parts and small things from them to stem the guilt, or stuff like innertubes where the prices aren't much different.

Unfortunately prices dictate what we buy when our pursestrings are tightened. If I see a bargain online then I will buy it. I saw a 105 chain on CRC for £20, the LBS wanted £36. It's a financial no-brainer unfortunately, no matter how helpful and awesome the guys in my LBS are.