hot spots?

I don't know that i've ever fully understood these. i always assumed they were caused by friction.

last summer, i experienced a type of hot spot on occassion. with the return of high temps here, they're re-emerged with a vengeance. It shows up about 10-12 miles into the ride. since we have full sun and tons of asphalt and little shade, anything metal on my bike heats way up. including the pedals and cleats. then the heat radiates through the sole of my shoe into my foot. it's quite uncomfortable as my ride home is usually about 16miles. my wonders are, since it's caused by the pedals and cleats heating up, would switching shoes even help? I am growing some unusual calluses there:rolleyes:

I don't experience this during winter, spring or fall.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I did a ride a week or so ago, maybe 35 miles, and the last 2 were pure-d-hell due to hot feet.

Ideas:
1. I just bought some Shimano sandals. They look like orthopedic sandals, but what the hey, they feel good. Recessed spd cleats. When it's 95 down here in Alabama, I don't care.

2. Wiggle room. Be sure you velcro your shoes somewhat loose on hot days, esp. toward the toes. Wear really good wicking socks. And at stops, loosen even more just in case.

3. Wiggle. I find I get footie hot spots more when I forget to wiggle my toes and stretch my feet. Just like, I get a neckache when I forget to move my head around alot during a longer ride. Wiggling my feet/toes usually gives me a signal that I'm about to develop a foot/hot spot problem. Just make that part of your routine.

Good luck!

I don't ordinarily get hot spots, but today on a longish hot and hilly ride I had awful foot pain, hot spot on my right foot....I just stopped for a couple minutes, undid my shoe (Sidi Dominator) took my foot and and wiggled it and massaged it. When I put it back in the shoe I was careful not to pull the velcro too tight and my foot was fine the rest of the ride....I think once you get a "hot spot" you really have to take the foot out of the shoe for a bit to really get rid of it....good luck!

Thankyou for taking the time to reply.

Tomgrrl, you sound like you have a different kind of pain? I think I know which one you are talking about. let me know if i'm wrong. it's more of a shooting pain, and only after super long rides, or harder rides.

this one.. compare to a cast iron skillet, heated to high heat, and an "OK" oven mitt. if you hold it long enough, the heat seeps through the mit and it's HOT! that's exactly what i feel from the pedals.

oh, and both feet. the shooting pain is either or, usually right foot. this is both feet equally.

hmmm....I think people use the term "hot spots" in reference to foot pain while cycling....in my case the pain wasn't shooting, more a burning but not "hot" to the touch or anything....I used to get the pain in both feet often while riding longer distances until I took the plunge and bought the Sidi shoes....they were expensive, but worth it. The pain I felt today was reminiscent of the pain I used to feel with my old shoes....

At any rate, good luck with fixing the problem.....it's no fun to have one's feet hurt, regardless of the cause!

You could try moving your cleats back a little bit.

Nanci