chefisaac

On yesterdays climb, the last 15 miles or so the bottom of my feet really started hurting. Do not think it is hot foot but it was almost the entire area of the bottom of the feet. Why does this happen? Does it mean I should get stiffer sole shoes?

I tried to spin more but I was maxed out and was in the granny gear when climbing a lot of the hills.

Any advice would be appreciated.

unterhausen

I read that as a 15 mile climb. Your feet were telling you to stop.

If I'm going to have hot foot, climbing is where it will start. My feet are still tingling from my ride today, which was pretty much 3 big climbs. Hot foot is generally caused by a nerve being under compression, so you may need to fix your shoe fit. I really don't think that sole stiffness is a big factor. I was just thinking I have two sets of Lakes with carbon soles that are causing me problems, and I have a set of crummy Nikes with plastic soles that I used up until the end of last year with no issues.

ThermionicScott 

Thus far, taking my shoes off at breaks has helped relieve the sole pain and swelling. Ultimately, I think I need slightly bigger shoes.

lhbernhardt

I've seen video of Eddy Merckx pouring water out of his bottle over his feet during a race. That might be worth a try!

I find that using a fancy insole helps to address localized foot pain by spreading the load a bit.

Luis

Sekhem

consider your pedaling technique. If you are mashing the pedals, your feet are going to hurt. (And btw... If you're able to find a fitter who can let you see your pedaling dynamics on a computrainer you might be surprised by what you see (e.g., pedal mashers are < 60 % efficient in their power output)).

also your shoes may be overly narrow for sustained climbing and may be the source of your foot pain

happy pedaling

fuji86

Might just be athritis and that's going to flare up ? Another problem might be the initial onset of gout that eventually subsides ?

berner

The suggestion of too narrow shoes is a good one. Our feet swell when hot and wet. It may be that just loosening the straps when the irritation begins would provide the needed relief.

Another possibility would be plantar fascia irritation. https://www.ibji.com/education/patien...FYje4AodcSzeVw I have had similar pain at various times. Once while hiking in the mountains in New Hampshire while wearing new insoles in hiking shoes. That time the pain stopped when I got rid of those insoles.

I have been having the same painful irritation with ski boots and some discomfort with cycling shoes. I seem to have cured the cycling issue but do not now remember where I read about the cure. I do remember that the explanation talked about how the ball of the foot has a hollow just as the palm of the hand has a hollow. In some people the insoles need a slight built up support under the ball of the foot. With nothing to lose, I went ahead and glued a small oval patch 1/16 inch thick on the bottom of the insole and by golly, it worked. Where the soreness used to persist even off the bike, it has now subsided over the last two weeks and seem to be gone. For next ski season I plan to do the same mod in the ski boots.

This is an easy thing to try on your own although podiatrists are likely the best source for a cure.

Jseis 

My right foot is very sensitive to overly tight laces, being the larger foot by 1/4 size. i backed my laces off a goodly amount and that eliminates nerve pain. Had the same problem in the 70's with toe clip straps. poor blood circulation would also cause problems. I agree, loosen shoes and see what happens.

max-a-mill

i think i often start to get foot pain from keeping my foot in one position and keeping the muscles fairly tight from the strain of pedalling. generally just forgetting about my feet even to just wiggle my toes or anything for long periods.

if i start to get foot pain i concentrate on moving my feet around in the shoes and trying to put pressure on different ares of my foot on the downstroke. loosening the shoes to almost comically loose seems to help sometimes too.

hybridbkrdr

I jog and find that proper shoes and stretching help. (I only use a bike as a method of transportation though.)