Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Skidding and Ankle Pain?

I'm new to fixed gear, and have been practicing skidding lately, but it really hurts the ankle on my leading foot. I use clips + straps.

Is there a certain technique im not following? Or is it the way the clips + straps are interacting with my shoes? I almost feel like clipless with supportive shoes would distribute the force a little better.

Even moderate backpedaling doesn't feel too right on the foot thats pulling on the pedal. Anyone else experience ankle pain? Have a solution?

Thanks,
Adam

where does it hurt? and also, relax and apply steady, even pressure. don't yank.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1684/footgn5.jpg

That's where it hurts. Its a very pulled/sprained feeling, and happens even with just one skid. Not a soreness kind of pain like fixie does to my knees.

even pressure does help a lot compared to yanking, but its still painful.

Slowly and gently begin any new muscle/joint motion and over weeks, not days, increase forces, slower than you mentaly want to or you have the strength to as 'ligaments take longer get stronger relative to muscles.' (in quotes as it may technically be wrong, but stated as its easy to remember)

Reduce forces when practicing skidding by leaning much futher forward that you need to and by skidding from lower speeds. Don't practice for more than a few minutes per day at first.

Al

A couple of suggestions:

1. Make sure your foot isn't at an angle. Your toes should be pointing straight, and the angle of your foot should be lined up with the rest of your leg. (Same as when you're just peddling.)

2. It might just be me, but I've found it to be a little less stressful while skidding/skipping when my straps are pulled a little tighter. If I skip when they're loose, there's more play between the pedal and strap, which causes my foot to sort of snap forward a bit when the strap starts pulling. But a lot of it is probably technique - I'm sure it's possible to avoid this with loose straps if you just start pulling earlier in the rotation.

Keith

yeah, it definitely sounds like your putting strain on the really big tendon that runs below where you put that red dot. I may recommend stretching as well, bend your knee back as far you can, grab the top of your foot, and pull up. slowly and not hard. if that's what hurts, and you don't really have any past history, keep stretching it. take it easy and slow. this just came up when you tried to skid? not gradually? and you haven't rolled or twisted your ankle recently?

thanks a lot for the help and suggestions.

im definitely trying to take it easy as im just starting out. Skidding in the rain has been nice because i can practice without having to use too much force. Leaning forward A LOT definitely helps, thanks.

I actually think my foot may be at an undesirable angle. My legs are very slightly bowed and i think i might walk a little on the inside edge of my shoes. That said, my foot might be rotating inward when i skid - i know they kind of turn inwards when i sprint when i run. I'll try focusing on keep my ankle straight and see what happens.

I'll definitely stretch more before riding, i think this will help a lot as well.

Again thanks for the help! :)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1684/footgn5.jpg
I hope you never have any groin pain...

It's because you have to tilt your foot upward to stay in your straps while pulling up on the lead foot. This action uses that particular tendon/muscle.

One solution is clipless pedals.

do you do warm ups or streches or any other sort of exercise to get yourself ready for riding? does your clips and straps fit you proper are you wearing the right kind of shoes?

if your clips and straps don't fot you right they can put stress on your foot in places it shouldn't be getting stressed....If you are wearing the wrong shoes well same thing..if you don't stretch or warm up you can tear muscles and ligaments and be in big trouble...

also does you bike fit you right?

improper fit could cause this as well the last thing anyone needs is a torn acl

skidding makes it burn when i pee

skidding makes it burn when i pee

<insert obvious skidmark underwear comment here>

Sounds like a tibialis posterior injury. I would bet dollars to donuts you pronate when you walk.

This is basically the tendon that that lets you tilt your foot towards you (it's a fair bit more complicated than that, but you get the idea). Some rehab tips:

1) Ice it and stay the *** off of it. Also, use a brace. Keep it elevated and take ibuprofin (not tylenol). This is called RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

2) Put a light weight (5lbs, max) on your foot, and flex your foot towards you. This well help strengthen the tendons/muscles involved.

2) Consider getting an orthotic (insole).

Foot injuries suck big, almost as much as knee injuries.

Sounds like a tibialis posterior injury. I would bet dollars to donuts you pronate when you walk.

This is basically the tendon that that lets you tilt your foot towards you (it's a fair bit more complicated than that, but you get the idea). Some rehab tips:

1) Ice it and stay the *** off of it. Also, use a brace. Keep it elevated and take ibuprofin (not tylenol). This is called RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

2) Put a light weight (5lbs, max) on your foot, and flex your foot towards you. This well help strengthen the tendons/muscles involved.

2) Consider getting an orthotic (insole).

Foot injuries suck big, almost as much as knee injuries.

i googled pronation and i think you're right. i know i run into problems if i try to wear fashionable un-supportive sneakers. anyway ill take your advice, thanks a lot :)

yea...give it rest and nurse it back to health SLOWLY....aka...no fixed gear riding (unless you have a break) and nothing else that aggrivates it...certainly no skidding

you said yourself it was a sprained/pulled feeling...that's when you take note and take it easy