Should I use my walking orthotics in my cycling shoes?

This is one of the most common questions we get at The Pedaler when cyclists call and ask for an appointment. Orthotic therapy has been used in a walking context for far longer then cycling and we are still catching up. As a consequence, we see a lot of riders stuffing a pair of walking orthoses into their cycling shoes and giving themselves problems.

Generally the conditions we treat when creating cycling orthotic solutions are not the same as when we treat runners. Most pains and problems are largely due to high peak pressures,, volume issues, shoe issues and overuse injuries of the leg knee and hip. Consequently, the treatment and orthotic prescription is very different to walking solutions. Above all, the space occupied by walking orthoses (often made from foam) is prohibitive to making a shoe fit well. We only use Carbon Fibre to create all our cycling orthotics to ensure the fit in the shoe is as perfect as it was for the previous shoe liner albeit now custom for your foot.

By using thin yet stiff carbon fibre it allows us the space to easily add pressure deflection, cushioning and load shift elements without filling up the shoe. The custom arch profile then makes the pedal pressure feel more even and stable, which is certainly an endearing sensation.

If you have questions about cycling orthoses (or standard orthotics for that matter) feel free to contact us for more information.

Remember, it’s not long now till the end of the year so use your health insurance before December 31.

Welcome Podiatrist Ana Downey-Smith to The Pedaler.

We are very excited to introduce the newest member of our team Ana Downey-Smith. Ana kicks off next week at both our Milton headquarters and at North West Physiotherapy Everton Park. She has been working over the past few years in Bathurst and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities presented by working at The Pedaler.

Ana grew up in Central West NSW and studied a bachelor of podiatry through Charles Sturt University completing her studies in 2013. Initially she started her career in a public hospital in Sydney working with a prosthetics and orthotics team, then returned back to the country. Ana is currently studying a degree in Sports Medicine through the University of Melbourne, expected to be completed by December 2019.

Ana is qualified in dry needling, trigger point therapy and soft tissue mobilisation. This helps to provide an in-depth treatment with longer lasting results. Ana also has a keen interest in biomechanics and alignment. After several years of experience in private practice, Ana has clinical skills with people of all ages and health types, but particularly enjoys working with children, teenagers and athletes.  

Ana prefers to take a holistic approach to treatment, focusing on more than just the areas of pain. She also has over 6 years experience making and prescribing orthotics, as well as adjusting or modifying and fitting shoes and cleats. Ana and her husband have been long-term members of cycle clubs in Central West NSW and you will often find them around the local cycling crowds. 

During spare time Ana enjoys mountain biking, hiking with her 2 dogs and travelling.

The Pedaler Health Team is growing!

Our collection of heath specialists has grown again in 2019. We have recently added two new massage therapists to The Pedaler Health giving our clients access to massage 3 days per week. We are excited to welcome Amie on Mondays and Thursdays, and Vicki on Fridays. Both clinicians have a wealth of experience dealing with cyclists and multi sport athletes.

Amie and Vicki join Nathan (Podiatry), Anouksa (Physiotherapy) and Matthew (E.P) who consult weekly from The Pedaler.

We will be announcing a few new names to the health team over the coming weeks to help us look after the needs of Brisbane’s cycling, running and multi sport community. We are also excited to almost be ready to roll out our two new key technology additions to The Pedaler as well - Saddle Pressure Testing Hardware and a Virtual Wind Tunnel. These are hugely exciting additions to our business and allow athletes a chance to get more comfortable on the bike whilst also being more efficient. These new features will be handled primarily by Anouska - our Physiotherapist.

Whilst we are usually busy, we typically have appointments available each week so give us a call and let us help you get more comfortable. All health bookings can also be managed online as well.

Back at it on the Weekends!!

With the summer of cycling back on the radar, and the demand from our regulars taken under consideration, we are back at it Saturdays from 7am till noon. We snuck a few in before Christmas, but we can confirm that our increased hours are to remain in place. Enjoy a Fonzie Brew with the crew and break down the weekends racing in our clubhouse type atmosphere.

Why do I get pain in my arch when I ride?

Contrary to popular belief, arch pain does exist within cycling.  The long held view that arch pain/strain only occurs with running or ambulatory activities is incorrect.  Why?

As we know, cycling is an incredibly repetitious sport.  With repetition, there is huge potential for a small issue to become a large one over a period of time.  Generally, the work performed by your foot can handle the rigours of cycling but in some cases, certain foot types can generate arch pain.  The location is typically on the outside of the foot as opposed to the inside with runners.

There a multiple reasons for outside (lateral) arch pain.  The most common relates to the shape of the foot and the incongruent shape of your stiff carbon cycling shoe.  In many people, the outside of the foot is quite flat (I hate the term lateral arch) and the cycling shoe in this region certainly isn't.  Different cycling shoes vary in their 'drop' and if your foot can't bend around this carbon shape, then pain will emerge over time.  Different shoes have differing levels of sole curve which can accentuate this issue.  

Another reason for lateral arch strain relates to the width of the foot and compression from the cycling shoes upper on the lateral border.  There is muscle, nerve and vascular tissue on the outside of the foot in that location and constant compression will trigger an ache.

Lateral pain can also be a result of fatigue and strain on the small muscles on the outside of the foot when under load. The lumbricals and abductor digiti minimi quinti muscles (yes, that's their real names) are located in the region and act as stabilisers for the foot when under pedal load.  Certain foot types, pedaling styles and lower leg angles can place higher loads on these structures causing fatigue and pain over time.  An understanding of the mechanics central to the problem is required to fashion a solution.

If you suffer from foot strain or other niggles when you ride, make a time to see our Podiatrist or Physiotherapist for an assessment.  We have all the tools required including custom cycling insoles required to reduce peak load on these structures and allow you to get more enjoyment from your riding.

Nathan

Podiatrist

Physiotherapist Anouska Edwards joins The Pedaler team.

I've known Anouska for around 10 years initially as a rider on the Pensar Race team where my mates Hads and Terry were racing and also through the early incarnations of Twittersphere under the Fittoride handle (correct use of handle?).  There is still an unanswered direct twitter message from Anouska to the Cobra9 twitter feed from 2011 that I promise I'll get around to responding to at some point.

Early on, I knew Anouska was a good physio.  Good physiotherapists have a way of finding themselves in ever increasingly important and interesting roles.  Anouska always seemed to be working with a National team of some description.  When Anouska moved to the UK a few years ago, we touched on the idea of some mutual work for the UK team whereby Anouska's physiotherapy expertise could work in conjunction with my Podiatry skillset.  We have both worked amongst cyclists for a huge period of time and simply there are still not a whole lot of practitioners in our field where this is the case.  Given how highly I regard Anouska's skillset, the notion that she would like to work with me on occasion is a huge compliment, or at least I'm taking it as such.  I'll press Anouska on this point when we have coffee next.

Now that Anouska has returned to Brisbane, Australia, we finally have the opportunity to work together.  I for one, am pretty excited by the prospect.  When we were looking for a Physio to complete our team of health practitioners at The Pedaler, getting a professional of Anouska's quality was the highest priority, and her return from overseas is extremely serendipitous.  

Initially Anouska will be treating once a week from our rooms starting on the 19th of February.  You can book online or call us to schedule. Where required, Anouska and myself may consult together to ensure we have the best possible treatment outcomes going forward for previous and future clients.

Anouska is the physiotherapist of choice to ensure you can ride pain free and with improved function.  Her twitter handle says it all - Fittoride.  I can't put it more eloquently then that.

Anouska Edwards - Physiotherapist

Stage 3 Battle Recharged - A day in the Sun

words - Luke Stenner

photo - Harry Dennis

Hot and dry westerly winds swept in across the range this morning as the team arrived to stage 3 in the township of Tyalgum.....a familiar but typically difficult hunting ground for the Cobra's.

The boys were calm and positive after a solid day out yesterday, and DS Prete set out providing the strategy for the day's race. Ensuring all bases were covered, a potential podium was on the cards, and hopefully a stronger result in the teams classification.

From the drop of the flag at around 1km into the race it was ON! With a flurry of attacks.......Liam Nolan was first to pounce and went with an early break of around 8 riders, which got out to around 30sec at one point. Unfortunately Liam had a mechanical which ended his race prematurely.

The race came back together soon after where more attacks were being launched off the front.....Dave Edwards was in most of these from what we could see from the car....but at this stage, the peloton wears not letting anything get too far ahead.

Nearing the end of the 1st lap with the weather already starting to take its toll, and the climbs beginning, the elastic finally broke and a single rider from Olivers Racing (the eventual winner by 6min!) broke free, solo with approx 19 riders chasing and in pursuit. From this group of 19 riders, Olly broke clear with Kane Richards (McDonald's) and they then spent the next 60kms or so chopping off into the searing heat and brutal cross and head winds. 

With the Olivers racing rider gradually taking more time from Ollie and Kane, and from the chasing bunches,.....a smaller group of 5 riders bridged across to Ollie with approx 25km to go. Olly managed to grit his teeth, drink one more coke, and take one more gel and hang on with this group until the last KOM.....just losing contact at the top coming in a very respectable 6th, moving himself into 5th on overall GC. Jono Butler had another consistent day finishing in the first chasing bunch in 14th and holds his GC position in 15th. Mitch, Josh and Tim all rode strong in the peloton, finishing in various bunches on the road. The Team now sit in 4th on GC....a huge result!

An equally big day and kudos to all the support today.....with the weather so brutal....and with various mechanicals and breaks everyone was stretched and had to push hard for a excellent team result.

Now back at our digs for a icy cold refreshing ale, showers and some rest before another hot and windy day in the hills around Tyalgum tomorrow.

Big thanks to Luke for generating some content after today's stage.  All the guys were pretty shattered and getting creative can be trying.  Cheers mate.

Kit Raising for East Timor

As some of you know Eve is heading to East Timor and India on Sep 15th for 2 stage races. In conjunction with this she has been asked to be an advisor for the Indian Himalayan team helping with race advice, recovery, nutrition ect. 

In her own words, Eve descibes the typical battles facing riders from East Timor.

"The people of East Timor are not fortunate like us. They don't have access to good food, good water or even good shelter, there is a lot of poverty. Needless to say they do not have the income to buy simple things like bike shorts which we take for granted and race food or even spare tubes. And yet they ride for 5 - 9 days 80 - 100km per day on bikes - which to our standard - are not fit for that kind of thing. The use hand me down clothing and some had no shoes! They did not complain, because they were so happy just to be able to ride with the international riders and for their country. Very proud!

So I would like to help out a little and send over some gear. Maybe you have old kits lying around, or spare parts, pumps, water bottles, etc. Chrissy Conyers is donating a bike she won at Hidden Vale Adventure Park. 

So pop into the Pedaler with your "bits" and I will send them off to those in need to make their riding a little more comfortable. Also looking for money donations to help with the shipment, we will set up an online account for this."