Somthing I noticed when riding yesterday

If you watch a range of the ProTour riders, you notice that there are a lot of differing pedal techniques.

Some ride toe down some flat all the way through the stroke, and some ankle quite a bit.

I think much depends on what feels right for you and your own physiology, some have more flexible ankles than others etc.

I try to point my toes down at the bottom of the pedal stroke and scoop it though - it seems to give me a bit more power especially on hills - think it's called 'ankling'. I've been trying to make it a unconscious part of the way I ride for years - still haven't managed it yet though riding singlespeed does make it come more naturally.

Tell us more about subconscious regulation theory…

I have had to make a conscious effort to keep my heels down as tend to drift to pointing toes down as well - it should be more efficient is my understanding. Toes never misbehave though, although I like the 'subconscious regulation' theory.

Interesting. I don't scrunch my toes, but I've noticed sometimes I point my toes down (heel up) and others my feet are level or heel downwards. Am I special?

i scrunch my toes up on the bike when i'm concentrating and have to continually tell myself to stop doing it, could you be doing the same?

The toes on my right foot scrunch up when I walk and when I cycle but that is due to a damaged nerve down my right leg.

Jon, was this when you were riding in the bunch?

I used to do something similar when I first started riding the pacelines at the track, I was subconsciously trying to regulate my distance from the rider in front by kind of pulling back my feet whilst still pedaling. All the time being told that the 10 inch gap I was holding at 35-40mph was too much!

Do you get hot spots in your feet on long rides?