Glad you're able to start pedaling again, Emily.
I rode 38 miles yesterday in northern Maryland, a great area for cycling. I joined an another bike club that sometimes rides in that area. Most of their rides are farther north and east, too far from where I live, but they do some that are close enough for me. I got to bed late (as usual) on Friday night, was not sure I wanted to get up early the next day, but decided it would be worth it. The route was really nice and the weather was just about perfect. The people I rode with were all very friendly and a few of us went for lunch after the ride.
I put the Sole insoles that I've been wearing in my sneakers into my bike shoes, and overall I think they were comfortable and offered better arch support than the Bontrager insoles I had been using. The route only had a few hills, but the first one made my right ankle start to hurt again. Just a little pain, but enough to get my attention. After that I started to push more with my left leg while pulling up with the right leg when going up hills, to take the pressure off my ankle. The only down side to the Sole insoles was that they were a bit thick and made my toes a bit cramped, so today I ordered a second pair, a thinner version of the ones for my sneakers, to use for cycling.
p.s. North Woods, is it a coincidence that all three bikes are similar colors?
- Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
- Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
- Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle
Gone but not forgotten:
- Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
- Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles