Do clipless pedals make that much of a difference?

[Jeffrey Barlow]

Can't resist adding this....I have been biking for more than 50 years, gulp. I have always shied away from clipping in, preferring a cage and tight leather strap, perhaps because much of my riding was captain on a tandem and I had to be able to get that foot down as one of my children was usually stoking. Now I suddenly have nerve damage to my left foot...the big toe and the area surrounding both above and below began to buzz, burn, and ache, driving me to seek medical help. I spent weeks in hot and cold pans of water at my computer, chiropractic visits, all of which gave me only temporary relief.

The diagnosis, from a cycling podiatrist--my good luck!---was that I had very high arches and had damaged the nerve running over the top of the foot from the ankle. The nerve had very little cushioning, running right over the bone and is easily compressed. I found in the next several weeks that despite my assumptions that biking would increase circulation and thus healing, it in fact made the condition worse.

I am a strong rider and have learned over the years to make a full pedal movement, including strong upward pull on the clips. I favor a right knee injury and probably over accentuate the pull up on the left pedal to compensate.

I have gone to clip-ins; I did the required face plant at a stop sign my first time out----sorry you missed it!---and my initial readings, based on only several trips, is that while I still pull against the top of the shoe, it is considerably more forgiving than a tight strap and a metal clip running exactly across the damaged nerves. I find that now a ride does help the condition rather than worsening it.

Ride safely...

Jeffrey