Road Cycling - One foot becomes sore?

After I've been on my bike for about an hour, my right foot starts to become really sore, rooting right from the ball where it makes contact w/ the clip. I can't help but to think that it's b/c I'm favoring and mashing w/ my right leg too much? I think I typically don't move my ankle that much, I keep the heel a little higher than my toes and use my knees/thighs to pedal more than anything. There's quite a few different styles I've read about, but this just feels natural. . but it also puts more pressure on the same spot.

My shoes are just basic Pearl Izumis, but I can't imagine shoes would really make that big of a difference. I've only been riding for about a year, but as I progressively get more time in the seat and become faster, it becomes a little worse.

The next day it's fine, and it won't bother me until another hour at least in the seat.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! :beer:

Check to see that both your legs are the same lngth, and that both feet are reaching the pedals correctly. You can also move the cleat back on both feet if the legs are the same length and the cleats are placedunder the balls of your feet. Then try using a lower gear and higher rpm. It is hard to be as uneven and to be spinning quickly.

Ok, I'll try that. . I generally spin from 75-90 or so. It took a while, but I'm confident that I have my seat and bike setup correctly now.

I have the same problem actually, I'd be interested to hear some solutions.

Originally posted by Aggressor
I have the same problem actually, I'd be interested to hear some solutions.

Me, too...:(

I have occasional problems with hot foot, burning sensation in the metatarsal area, usually the L foot. R only rarely. My first pair of shoes was 43.5 size and resulted in symptoms at 40+ miles. Usually I just stop and loosen the shoe and walk around in socks for ~5min and it clears up and I can cycle to 80+ miles before burning resumes. Bought a size 45.5 pair and put a gel orthotic in and symptoms markedly improved, as the orthotic ($10-to $20 price range) flattens or wears the foot notices. The nice thing about velcro is you can tighten or loosen easily and frequently foot discomfort short of the above symptoms can be ameliorated by loosening the straps a lot and riding on. Over size shoes are good in cold weather, for an extra sock layer.
Steve

Interesting, thanks Steve. . . I keep my shoes pretty loose. My feet have always gotten a little sore on rides, but in the past I would stop for about 3-4 minutes to get water after about 10 miles. Now i don't have to, so I don't, and it's more of an issue.

I may go by the LBS on the way home and see what they say/have.

I talked to some guys at the LBS. . one said try moving my cleat a little forward on that foot, and moving the cleat around, to see how that works.

I'm off today, but I'll ride tomorrow and post up how that works.

I had a similar pain in my right foot. After some examiniation of my riding, I found that when I would coast, I always coasted with my right foot down and was putting pressure on that foot. I've tried to stop doing that and for the most part, the pain went away.

I've thought about that, and consciously notice what I'm doing when I'm riding so I don't do that. . and I really don't coast that much anyway.

I'll ride tonight and see how it goes. . I noticed my cleats aren't exactly even.

I tried to adjust the cleat, but it's in it's permanant position. But, I changed my method, and kept my ankle down and it seemed to be a lot better.