Tandems.co.uk

please can anyone give any advice on how to stop cramp in your toes on 4-6 hour rides?

thankyou

Paul & Lesley Perrin

Hi Paul,

Cramp or pins and needles is caused by poor blood circulation in your feet. This is usually ( in my experience) due to shoes being too tight.

I guess the situation might be worse on a tandem than a solo as you get less chance to stand to help ease pressure and increase circulation.

I’d try a larger pair of shoes or try both standing and climing out of the saddle where possible.

Hope that helps, or maybe Ruth has another idea????

Regards
Jonathan

Does this happen on a solo as well as the tandem?

Hi Paul

I have asked John about this and he says he suffers with the same problem on long rides, he did the White Rose Classic, 100 mile + last week on his solo and it happened.  John says there are several reasons.  For him it only happens on his road bike, and he first started with it when we took part in 2004 L’Etape Du Tour on solos this was 149 miles and he is still using the same pedals and shoes on his solo. 

Incorrect position of the cleat on the shoe
Incorrect saddle height
Pressure points from an uneven sole on a shoe
Too flexible soled shoes for a powerful rider
Shoes too small
Shoes too stiff

Regards
Ruth

I think it is having the shoes we use for biking in to tight on the lace and that is causing our feet to have poor blood flow, went out on solo Marin last night for first time since we have had the tandem from you, it did feel so strange!
no one to talk to,
no one to encourage to do the work on the hills,
and just the bike felt funny.

We are so pleased with the tandem and doing a sponsored ride from Melton Mowbray to Skegness in July on it, we are training hard at the moment, our friends our asking where we got it from and i keep telling people to look at your web site.

Thanks

Paul

Good luck with the training, I am pleased your enjoying the tandem.  After a couple of weeks tandem riding last month, John got on his carbon road bike for the first time in months and he said when he got out of the saddle to sprint he almost fell off.

Hi,regarding the feet problems try a new saddle with a hole in it.Stopped all my feet, leg pain instantly plus stopped my important bits from nodding off. I use Terry USA Firefly saddles and the Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow (not as comfortable, but not bad) both have ladies versions as well (slightly wider and shorter hole is more forward). Pick saddle for your riding position eg upright or race. Start with a level saddle with knee over the pedal axel, more important with SPD pedals and have your seat height right so you only have a slight bend in your knee when the pedal is right down. Hope this helps Cheers Southie.

If it only happens on a 4-6 hour ride,try a 7 hour ride,that should cure it.

Ian