Foot falling asleep

[pontifex]

My right foot has been going numb when riding at Loudon. I'm always on the balls of my feet or at least try to be. The numbness doesn't start until I've done about 20 laps. Is this normal or does it mean my body position is wrong?

[TheIglu]

Boots may be too tight. Mine were too narrow in the balls.

[South of Heaven]

I get numbness too (towards the end of every session). Try stretching, standing up for a minutes or even riding a pedal bike after every session. Plopping down in your comfy chair in the pits feels good but may be compounding your circulation problem.

[Rambunctous]

Too much butter. Clogged arteries.

[RandyO]

early symptoms of sciatica

[SVRACER01]

mine does too. i dont move my right foot at all when im riding and it goes numb. on a side note, my legs go numb if i stand too long too.

[Rambunctous]

My right foot has been going numb when riding at Loudon. I'm always on the balls of my feet or at least try to be. The numbness doesn't start until I've done about 20 laps. Is this normal or does it mean my body position is wrong?

By any chance are you racing a Harley Davidson?

[oVTo]

My left foot does the same thing, and it gets worse later in the day. I've tried different boots and different leathers thinking maybe they were too tight at the bend of the knee. What worked best for me was buying adjustable rearsets and trying different settings. That made it better, but the problem didn't go away completely.

[Dave603]

For me I have terrible pain in my hips that lead to the numbness in my legs. Being a tall guy cramped on a small bike. If I don't stretch the legs out they both become numb and then I can't get off the bike much less stand for about 5 mins after riding. I found this troublesome at the track and started stretching and getting the blood really circulating well before heading out and it has helped A LOT.

[aldend123]

early symptoms of sciatica

Does OP feel it tingle and regain feeling as the blood starts to flow again, similar to the traditional body part falling asleep from limited blood flow? If so, you can probably rule out nerve issues. I'm not sure I'd say its an "early symptom" either, so much as it is just a general symptom.

I don't think the nerve's map perfectly in a way that can be diagrammed very reliably, but this map could help confirm or deny nerve related numbness:
http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapte...iculopathy.jpg

[timmyho414]

My right foot does the same thing. It only started last year. I think it's a tightness in my leg, outside of my thigh from my hip to my knee putting pressure on a nerve(I only say that because of some other nerve stuff I've had). Which makes sense seeing Loudon is mostly left. I have a massage booked after every race weekend. She fixes me right up.

She also told me to get a massage/yoga roller? They sell them at Target. I just lay sideways on it and roll back and forth and that helps too.

[pontifex]

Does OP feel it tingle and regain feeling as the blood starts to flow again, similar to the traditional body part falling asleep from limited blood flow? If so, you can probably rule out nerve issues. I'm not sure I'd say its an "early symptom" either, so much as it is just a general symptom.

I don't think the nerve's map perfectly in a way that can be diagrammed very reliably, but this map could help confirm or deny nerve related numbness:
http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapte...iculopathy.jpg

I do not feel any tingling. So does that point to nerve damage?

I have had a lot of hard falls on my right side over the years from skiing, snowboarding, bmx and motorcycles

[pontifex]

My right foot does the same thing. It only started last year. I think it's a tightness in my leg, outside of my thigh from my hip to my knee putting pressure on a nerve(I only say that because of some other nerve stuff I've had). Which makes sense seeing Loudon is mostly left. I have a massage booked after every race weekend. She fixes me right up.

She also told me to get a massage/yoga roller? They sell them at Target. I just lay sideways on it and roll back and forth and that helps too.

Thanks Timmy. I may have to try a massage and I'm going to check out my local Target for a roller.

How long does it take for your foot/leg to return to 'normal'? I didn't race yesterday and my foot up to just below my knee are still a bit numb.

[pontifex]

For me I have terrible pain in my hips that lead to the numbness in my legs. Being a tall guy cramped on a small bike. If I don't stretch the legs out they both become numb and then I can't get off the bike much less stand for about 5 mins after riding. I found this troublesome at the track and started stretching and getting the blood really circulating well before heading out and it has helped A LOT.

I had not been doing much stretching previously so I am going to make sure I change that. Any stretches in particular you recommend? Thank you.

[butcher bergs]

I'm thinking you're pinching arteries in your thigh. Changing the shape of your seat would be my suggestion. I felt many of the symptoms you describe so I reshaped my seat (narrowed it down in the thigh section). It helped me immensely.

[timmyho414]

Last year it lasted...oh about... 3 months. I'm not saying we have the same thing but it sounds like it.

First noticed it at the end of the first GTU race, could really feel the peg. Then when I jumped in bed that night the outside edge of my foot was numb. It never went way. I saw my massage therapist and she could not get it. I ended up seeing a rolfer, think message but really deep and with in a few day it was gone. After that I told my massage therapist what the rolfer did and I think she took it as a challenge and know she get it for me.

It's actually numb right now, first time this year. I see her at 4 so I'm not really worried about it.

[brady]

Boots may be too tight. Mine were too narrow in the balls.

boy that's gotta hurt!

[timmyho414]

She worked on the outside of my caff too. From my knee to my ankle. There is something there that is always tight but I'm pretty sure its in my thigh that's doing it.

[pontifex]

Anybody use these?

Adjustable Rear Set Riser Plates: http://www.svracingparts.com/store/#...uct/id=3103870

[TTD]

I have had this also, but have identified and fixed my issue.

Does the bottom of your boot have a deep indent where the peg goes?

I do not use rear brake and never move my right foot once I leave the pits. With certain boots, once you have a deep indent in the sole, it's almost like you are barefoot on the peg.

I regularly get my boots re-soled with a harder sole - which keeps this from happening.

[pontifex]

I have had this also, but have identified and fixed my issue.

Does the bottom of your boot have a deep indent where the peg goes?

I do not use rear brake and never move my right foot once I leave the pits. With certain boots, once you have a deep indent in the sole, it's almost like you are barefoot on the peg.

I regularly get my boots re-soled with a harder sole - which keeps this from happening.

Wow, I do have a deep indent on my right sole! I have A* Supertechs. Any advice on where to get harder soles put on? Thanks Tony! I'm really hoping this solves it.

[TTD]

I use Ace Shoe Repair in Springfield, MA... I imagine any good shoe repair place can do it.

You want a hard sole, that still has some roughness. You only need a half sole... toe to where the heel starts. Cost me $25 each time I do it. I have never had to redo it... once I put the harder sole on it, it lasts the life of the upper boot.

Stock boots are soft to stick good to stock pegs and or rubber pegs. With aftermarket race rearsets that are properly knurled - you don't need such a soft sole.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ace-shoe-repair-springfield

[pontifex]

I'm going to drive to Springfield tomorrow. So they have soles there?

[TTD]

I would call first... might be closed on Mondays? Regardless, call first and let him know what you're trying to do. It's a one man shop - the guy rides touring bikes.

You can mention me (probably won't remember my name, but should remember doing my boots).

It's not something he'll do while you wait, either. Might want to find a local guy for that reason?

[OreoGaborio]

I've incorporated dropping my outside foot (in long corners that don't have a quick flip at the end) so that the footpeg is under the arch of my foot... I do this in both lefts and rights. I've found it greatly increases my comfort and endurance thoughout the day.

Not gonna help your R foot a whole lot around Loudon cuz there aren't really any lefts that don't have a quick flip at the end... but... worth trying.

EDIT: Hmmm... now I'm interested in what exactly it is that I do with my feet. Think I may try getting a video of my footwork next track day.