Messages

1

General Discussion / Numb feet

« on: June 19, 2005, 05:49:04 am »

I also have trouble with numb feet.  I'll tell you what I do, but
I'm sure it'll instill the wrath of speedster others, I'm sure.  
Hey,  I gave up cleated pedals.    I'm a physician, mind you,
and have a decent knowledge of human physiolgy, and I
can't come up with any good medical reason for the oft-
quoted principle of keeping your foot's metatarsal head over
the median of your pedal with toe-clips or clipless pedals.  It's
bunk.

I ride a recumbant, with sandals, t-shirt and running shorts.  
No Lycra, no pads in my shorts, no gloves, no funny bike-
shoes.     And I ride with the same pedals I started with when I
was 9 years old.  No clips, no cleats.    I ride for a while with
my metatarsals over the pedal, then for a while with my heels
on the pedals.   "The Heels??"  you ask......yes, I vary my foot
on the pedal, with the toe sometimes, the meta-head
sometimes, often the mid foot and sometimes even the heel
other times.  And I take my foot off the pedal for 30 seconds
every chance I get on  long descents to minimize the
continuous presssure on the nerves that causes "hot foot".    
Yes, I still get uncomfortable every 30-40 miles and have to
stop for a half hour, but not every 8 miles as I used to.

Riding is supposed to be comfortable.

2

General Discussion / anyone carry'n heat?

« on: April 01, 2005, 03:49:07 pm »

We just another death --- 14 year old girl walking down the street in IL was attacked by a pack of dogs (the street is a popular throughway for bicyclists)  and died of hypothermia.   Our Governor is working --unsuccessfully, to try to prevent this kind of society tragedy again.   I wonder what I would have done if I was that girl ....

"Mitchell's proposal comes three weeks after 14-year-old Lydia Chaplin was found dead near her home in rural Erie, close to the Mississippi River. Three pit bulls and a mixed-breed had mauled her late at night, and she died of hypothermia as she lay in a cornfield."

3

General Discussion / anyone carry'n heat?

« on: March 28, 2005, 12:35:15 am »

I'm new to Adventure Cycling, but not to bicycle touring.    I have a
controversial question ....   does anyone carry "protection" while
touring unfamiliar locales in the US?    Pepper spray?   I'm thinking
about a taser "stun gun" for when I'm camping in remote areas, or
when me and my kids are cornered by a farm dog.  Its illegal in some
areas, but not in most others.

Lately I've seen pit bulls running loose in towns, and had a doberman
attack my CAR, snarling and chewing on the front bumper as I slowed
down not to hit the beast on a country farm road (I wondered what I'd
ever have done if I'd been on my bike right then)  The world is getting
more dangerous.  Is everyone riding vulnerable?
             
                                                            Mike