Road Cycling - Foot problems

When riding the balls of my feet are in great pain. This occurs when really working hills, in hot weather or on the bike for a long period of time. I can stop and massage the feet to relieve some of the pain. This happens with both my road and mountain bike shoes. What can I do to eleminate this problem as it affects performance and my love to ride?

Make sure that your shoes are wide enough for your feet and if they are, make sure that you are not pulling the straps or laces to tight. If the circulation in your feet gets cut off it could cause your feet to cramp. Also make sure that your pedals are centered correctly.
Sliante
:beer:

Even with correctly sized and adjusted shoes, I also used to have a problem with aching, burning feet. It always happened when I had been on the bike for a while, and the old legs were getting tired. By paying more attention to spinning, and maybe kicking up my cadence a little so I wasn't working the legs quite as hard, the problem was solved for me. Hope this helps!

I added stiff inserts --available at drug stores-- to my shoes and eliminated all problems to my feet.
These inserts are similar to what a Podiatrist would prescribe, but much less expensive.
Nothing is more debilitating than sore feet. I hope you find a solution for yours.

Like stated above - you might have the shoes to tight. I just got a new pair of sidi road shoes - got the balls of the feet just burning, adjusted the tightness on the velco and the "click_ tighten system that is located right over the arch of my feet - right away the pain let up, the shoes were to tight for me. On the post right above, did you get inserts that are arch supports?

I did get Superfeet inserts. I have had a pair of the Superfeet for 5-6 years and the problem was never so great. With the new Superfeet inserts, the problem was worse right from the beginning. I have sent an email to Superfeet to see if they have any ideas.

As far as the tightness of the foot, I know that that is a problem. I can move my toes a lot in the shoes and losening up the velcrow helps. But I know that I don't have the solution yet.

Thanks for your response.

bart

Potientially it could be that the cleats are positioned to far forward on the shoes. Make sure the cleats are under the balls of your feet. Being to far forward might cause stress to that area

Bart,

Is the pain like a cramp, or is it just an ache that gets
progressively worse?
I have worn shoes that are too narrow across the ball of the
foot and had pain on the outside of the foot. Pedal position
on the cleats seemed to help this, I had them too far
towards the outside of my foot, could be your positioned
too far inboard.
I'd suggest getting a good LBS to help with
cleat placement.
One thing I highly recommend is custom foot beds.
Here's the deal, go to a ski shop (yeah I know you're in
arizona!) or a good running shop, and get them to make up
pair of custom insoles. I did this for a pair of blades that were
killing me. They heat the sole, you stand on it for about 10
minutes, then they shave it down, and customize the fit
for you (its already molded to the shape of your foot).
Cost when I did it was about $25.00, cheaper than orthotics
but better than the usual footbed.
another option is moldable foot bed, but I'm not sure how
stiff that would be.
Hope this helps,
Marty