Long Distance Cycling - Foot Lotion

I have this issue with getting hot spots on rides that exceed 60 miles. I have tried different shoes, pedals, socks, pedal/cleat placement and even have a custom fit set of insoles. I will add that I am on my feet 10 hrs a day in steel toe boots and have calasus' across the bottom of both feet.

What I am thinking of trying is applying foot lotion just prior to getting on my bike before my next century ( Sunday).

My current set up is SIDI shoes, thin smart wool socks and speedplay lite pedals.

What I would like to know is is this a bad idea? Does anyone use foot lotion prior to a long ride? Am I asking for friction problems or any other problem that I may be overlooking?

Thanks

Have you tried moving your cleats back just a bit? Or if they are back just a bit, then as far back as they go? That fixed my hot foot for me

Another option, which I used before I latched onto the cleat fix, is to use the pantyhose toe covers with the padding in them ... you know ... what women use when they wear high heels.

You see, your hot foot is the same as what women get when they wear high heels. Women in high heels don't have the option of a cleat adjustment so they wear something that looks like someone cut off the foot of a pair of pantyhose, and sewed in a pad which goes under the ball of the foot. You can buy these things in the pantyhose department of your local department store.

I have tried moving cleats back, forward, neutral and have no luck getting rid of the hot spots. I probably have $500 worth of shoes and clipless pedals in my back bag from trial and errors over the last 3 years.

However I have not tried the padded panthose booty method. I have nothing to lose so I will get some.

What is it exactly that causes the hot spots?

Should I avoid trying the foot lotion for now?

What is it exactly that causes the hot spots?

Should I avoid trying the foot lotion for now?

http://www.wellfeet.com/dxtopics.htm

It has to do with the pressure on the ball of the foot, nerves, blood vessels, etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the skin. Lotion would only help a skin issue.

Thanks Machka.

That really put it in great detail. All this time I was thinking it was just heat building up on the skin.

A common cause of hotspots is just having your shoes adjusted too tight. When you start a ride "cold", your foot is it's normal size. Let's say that's a size 11D for example. After 40 or 50 miles of constant use, you're going to swell up a bit. Maybe now you're an 11E or EE. If you adjusted the straps/laces on your shoes only when you started, you're now wearing shoes which are essentially a width too small.

I start out on a century ride with my shoes reasonably tight. Then at the first rest stop (usually 17-25 miles) I'll open them up completely and walk around for a bit before re-strapping them again. If it's hot out, I might even fidget with them again around the 40-ish and 70-ish mile rest stops.
It's very similar to long distance hiking; my other hobby. You buy boots a half size too big, wear heavy socks in the morning, and switch out at lunch after taking your boots off for a little while. Your feet can swell an entire size and 2 widths over the course of carrying a pack for 25-30 miles a day.

CliftonGK1

I bought my SIDI's in wide width to combat what you described and I still come up with hot spots. Very frustrating, I have tried everything that I can think of except for the padded booties with no relief.

http://www.wellfeet.com/dxtopics.htm

It has to do with the pressure on the ball of the foot, nerves, blood vessels, etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the skin. Lotion would only help a skin issue.

I picked up 2 pair of the padded booties that you spoke of and will give them a try Sunday.

Thanks again