Toe the Line…

Or perhaps ‘line the toe’ with some kind of bandage or padding. Though it is a bit late for that now.

If you have been cycling for more than 35 years, you will remember that pedals were equipped with metal toe clips and leather straps to keep your cycling shoes firmly attached. These devices did the job, but they resembled some kind of torture implement used by Torquemada to extract confessions from non believers.

Pro riders used to tear their shoes off after tough stages, then pour water on their feet to try to get some relief. Later the riders suffering from ‘hot foot’ would work their way back to the race doctor’s car, and beg for some ‘Freeze It’ spray to try to ease the discomfort.

Around 1984 LOOK came up with the first widely accepted clipless pedal. The system acted a bit like a ski binding, which LOOK also manufactured. There was a cleat that you attached to the bottom of the cycling shoe, and it snapped into a retaining mechanism on the pedal itself. To release the shoe you simply turned your ankle away from the bike and the cleat would pop free.

• 

• 

There was a bit of initial skepticism among riders, who were concerned that the pedal might accidentally release under heavy pedaling pressure, which could result is an horrific crash with damage to vital body parts. But ‘encouraged’ by sponsors (“ride this or else”) the pedal was widely adopted by pros and amateurs alike. The fears of unintended release were unfounded and the system proved to be extremely reliable. It was actually even safer than the old style equipment. If you crashed, and the pros crash a fair amount, the cleat would almost always release and your knees and ankles wouldn’t twist and perhaps tear muscles or tendons. With the old pedal system you were locked in and twisted joints were a real risk when you hit the ground.

And wonder of wonders, the new system was a quantum leap in cycling comfort. No more steel toe box jammed up against the front of your shoes. No more leather straps biting into the top of your foot. By 1990 it was hard to find a serious cyclist who had not converted to the new clipless world.

I usually do not have issues with my feet on rides under 3 hours long. However, when the ride length goes over 4 hours and especially if there is a lot of climbing my tootsies start complaining. I remember one time climbing Pacific Grade at the end of the Bear Valley to Markleville ride (something like 72 miles, 8,000 feet and over 6 hours) I stopped just after the last switchback. It wasn’t the 20% pitch that did me in, it was the enticing snowbank promising some cool relief for my screaming feet. I iced them down and pedaled on numbed and happy.

So foot issues are nothing new for me, but on my recent trip to the Pyrenees I encountered something new. On our 7th and final ride we started with the Col de Bagargui, and on the 3.1 mile section that averages 12.8% I was feeling some pressure on my left toes. Of course on a road that steep everything hurts so I didn’t pay much attention.

The pressure continued for the rest of the ride, and when we finally got to St. Jean de Luz I was glad to take off my cycling shoes. And look what I found…

• 

• 

I’ve never seen toe bruising this extensive as a result of a bike ride, or anything else for that matter. I don’t know if I’m going to lose any of those nails, and I am being careful when I put on and remove socks. And I’m really trying hard not to stub my toe against anything, which is always a good plan but seems especially important now.

Since I’m done with the Pyrenees I have no plans to do any 5+ hour rides until next year. And when I do I might consider thicker socks or some kind of padding to ease the pedaling pressure. Or hope to find a convenient snowbank.