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I want my toes back!

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antonin_d View Drop Down
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    Posted: 11 July 2019 at 3:24pm
I keep praising the ergonomics of recumbents to everyone I talk to, and generally they only need to try out the seat to be convinced. But I have recently discovered the first downside I am aware of: pedaling with the feet up can leave your toes not as well irrigated as in other positions.

After riding for basically 36h with few breaks, my toes were quite numb. I was not alarmed by that as I have had this issue very often in winter (including on upright bikes). This time I had 40°C peaks so the cold was not to blame!
What is more concerning is that two weeks after the ride, my toes have still not fully recovered their sensitivity: the tips are still numb! And I have basically not cycled since that ride. The toes look good from the outside, and I can still control them, but it is still a bit concerning.

Has anyone had that sort of issue in the past? Any tips to prevent that? I will try other shoes as I suspect the ones I have are too loose around the toes.
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Kim View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 July 2019 at 5:40pm
I discovered had numb big toes after a 10-day tour of longer days (in fairly hot conditions) than I'd normally do a few years back. The sensation came back slowly over a couple of months. I assumed the problem was pressure on some nerve or other, rather than circulatory. I'd been wearing generously-sized Shimano SPD sandals.

I wasn't particularly concerned at the time as I had a much more serious Achilles injury to take my mind off it...

(My feet do get quite cold on a recumbent in cold conditions. I mostly ride upwrongs in winter, but on the odd occasion I use the ICE trike, I'll find my feet instantly warm up if unclip from the pedals.)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yanto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 July 2019 at 8:57pm
On long rides and more so when it warm/hot I suffer from hot foot and some loss in sensation of my big toes. I have found that loosening the straps on my shoes, spinning more and also regular stops where I take my shoes off and walk about in my socks reduces both.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ChrisH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 July 2019 at 10:38pm
Whenever I do long summer audax rides I always take my shoes off when stopping and shopping for top-up food etc.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atlas_shrugged Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 July 2019 at 11:58pm
After the weekend of WC2018 my toes also hurt especially after the 3h race.
 
But the distance you are cycling is astonishing 36h - Chapeau.
 
I would really agree with you to look at your shoes. They were taped at the front and I reckon your toes need more support from the shoes. It may be worth experimenting with freewheeling a bit more during the journey to give your toes some temporary rest.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote antonin_d Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 July 2019 at 8:10am
Great, thanks for the advice! Yes I will definitely change shoes, hopefully that should improve things a bit. Glad to hear that things can still get better after a few months, that is reassuring.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RoyMacdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 July 2019 at 12:50pm
Well I would go to the Doctor if I were you and ask to be referred to a back specialist. The nerves from your brain to your feet go down your spine and come out in the pelvic region, to go to the legs and feet. I have reduced feeling in my arms and legs from interference from my spine. I have to do exercises every day given by the hospital to keep the nerves functioning as well as possible. Movement also causes spinal fluid to be produced to lubricate the nerves passing through the spinal column.

Good luck with the problem.

Roy 


Edited by RoyMacdonald - 15 July 2019 at 12:56pm
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Yanto View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yanto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 July 2019 at 1:06pm
Symptoms are classic pinching of nerves between metatarsal bones, no need for doctor etc just sort out what's causing it.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yanto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2019 at 7:34am
Antonin, you are not alone, after my two 610km rides I have a numb toe, I'm sure it will back to normal soon!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote blogwat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2019 at 6:09pm
my toes are numb all the time due to my treatment but hey ho !., my head hurts too sometimes Wink.
when your up to your waist in aligators they forget to tell you you've got to clear the swamp
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