General Cycling Discussion - Toe cramps

I finished reading the thread on the calf cramps. My calves are ok. However, the middle toes of my left foot cramp up after about 20 miles (especially in colder temps, e.g., 20F). Getting off the bike and trying to flex the foot seems to work a little; but with stiff bike shoes, flexing is difficult.

My right foot is OK. I will sometimes get cramps in my left foot while sitting in my easy chair with my feet up, or lying in bed. The only "cure" is to get up and walk it off.

My health is good, blood pressure is 132 over 82, cholesterol is just a little higher than average. The doc says I am very healthy for someone in his 60s.

I like to ride long distances, so this cramping is slowing me down. I'm planning on a long ride on Saturday (100 miles) in cool weather (40F).

I wonder whether your shoe/cleat/pedal system is putting too much direct pressure on one of the plantar nerves or tendons. Is one foot positioned farther forward than the other? A podiatrist who understands bicycling may be able to devise a small orthotic insert. Spinning the lower gears will reduce the pressure against your foot, and you may want t experiment with different degrees of ankling.

Drink coffee? Caffeine causes cramping sometimes. Eh, it's the fluids thing, cramps are cramps, potassium is potassium, don't matter where you get it, but you need more potassium or calcium in the fluids nourishing the muscles in question....