shoe question

I did a 60-mile ride today (yippee!!!!) in a group of nine, LOTS of hills so I am going to bed with the chickens tonight. I made it OK but my main problem was my feet--hot, numb and tired no matter how much wiggling I did. I am using Shimano mtn bike shoes and SPD pedals that are platform and you can clip in on both sides. Post-ride, everybody said, no wonder your feet hurt, get some harder soled road shoes. Called the LBS and they said Nike ventoux or altea would work with my pedals. Then he said I should perhaps think about changing clipless pedals and buy shoes to go with them. Well, I like my pedals and especially like that I can ride a bit without clipping in if I have trouble doing so. Advice? Thanks!!!

If you want to continue to use mountain bike shoes, there are shoes out there with very stiff soles.

I prefer recessed cleats and use Speedplay Frog pedals and mountain bike shoes with all of my bikes. My shoes are Sidi Dominators, which have a very stiff sole. I believe that the base sole material is the same as that used on their road shoes.

--- Denise

I feel for you. I have this problem also whenever I ride over 30 miles. It is a killer. In fact I dread that 30 mile mark... I use mtb shoes and clipless pedals. I've upgraded shoes with not a big improvement. Next is to try road shoes and pedals.

Also fool around with the cleat position. Best thing is to move it back toward your arch.

From what I undestand you are pinching the nerves that run between your toes.

Don't give up.
SKM

and.............consider changing out your insoles! (thanks BikeGoddess and Denise for that one). I use running insoles in my riding shoes and have very little problems with my feet now - even when I climb the Sandia Peak!