Training & Nutrition - Numb feet, any ideas?

Can someone please enlighten me as to why my feet go numb when I am cycling? The feeling is basically identical to what it feels like if you have your legs crossed for too long and restrict the circulation to one foot causing it to "fall asleep." The difference here is that I am having this sensation in both feet. I try to ride a 40 mile (64 Kilometer) circuit at least 3 times each week. I never had this problem in previous years but this year I had it the very first time out last April. For the first few weeks I simply attributed this to not being used to riding since I take a cycling sabbatical during the cold weather. This feeling starts to become noticeable after about 15 miles and after 20 miles my feet will be so numb that I have to get off the bike and walk around to get them feeling normal again. Once I resume my ride this numbness is quick to return and I find myself stopping again after just 7 miles (11 kilometers) or less.

I had theorized that maybe the bike saddle was restricting my circulation to my feet so I tried a couple of different saddles that I have had on other bikes, but that didn't help. In addition nothing has really changed from previous years to this year. I haven't changed my diet, I have the same bike, same shoes, even the same attire since I never bought any new cycling clothing this year yet.

Anyone else ever had a similar problem or have any ideas how I can eliminate it?

TIA

do a search this topic has been covered in depth already.

just to get you started here's one of mine
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=108684&highlight=sidas

what's your foot position? --A friend was complaining about numb feet, and he was a toe-pointer. I mentioned a posting I saw here where someone had the same issue and it was because he rode with his toes pointed down. My friend went for a ride on Saturday concentrating on keeping his feet more level, and viola, no foot numbness. He was really amazed....

You say you haven't changed any of your kit, but what about positioning? Did you adjust your saddle position or cleat position etc? What worked for me is to move my cleats back a few mm and lower tyre pressures slightly. But there are loads of threads on this, and by reading them you realise that the solutions vary hugely from person to person.

what's your foot position? --A friend was complaining about numb feet, and he was a toe-pointer. I mentioned a posting I saw here where someone had the same issue and it was because he rode with his toes pointed down. My friend went for a ride on Saturday concentrating on keeping his feet more level, and viola, no foot numbness. He was really amazed....

hey that's wonderful, thanks supz! I'm definitely a toe pointer and this happens to me all the time. thanks!

Can someone please enlighten me as to why my feet go numb when I am cycling?

I never had this problem in previous years but this year I had it the very first time out last April.

I had theorized that maybe the bike saddle was restricting my circulation to my feet so I tried a couple of different saddles that I have had on other bikes, but that didn't help. In addition nothing has really changed from previous years to this year. I haven't changed my diet, I have the same bike, same shoes, even the same attire since I never bought any new cycling clothing this year yet.

Anyone else ever had a similar problem or have any ideas how I can eliminate it?

TIA

Most biker don’t place the correct amount of attention on the point of bio-energy transfer to mechanical interface. Your foot transmits all the power to the bike. The shoe, cleat and pedal are very important. But the most important is the alignment of your body on the bike.

You state nothing changed form other years. Well your shoes are one year older and the foot bed may have degraded due to age. Your cleats, saddle, chamois, could be worn enough to make the ride change.

Having a very skilled fit technician (you won’t find them at every shop or even in every city) measure and fit you can give your feet back their feeling.

I have over a 100,00 lifetime miles on a bike. I have always known I have one longer leg. Every once in a while I would get numb little toes or maybe the two outside two toes would go numb. After getting a real fitting adjustment and having Lemond LeWedges installed on my shoes. My speed increased 2.5 mph on average and no more numb feet or anything else.


Cheers,
Dusk

Buy some "sole" mouldable insoles, they have a money back guarantee and they provide amazing arch support. I had this exact problem and as soon as I put these soles in it was solved for good. Highly recommended.