eBikes: Are they for You?

As I turn 60 next year, and want to increase both my overall exercise, and my outdoor exercise, I am looking into one of these to help me in both area. I will have to combine Christmas, birthday, anniversary and father's day gifts together, but it looks worth it. Several people I know have one and just love it. Patty, are you reading this blog post, or should I give her more hints!!!!

Good News: Almost a Oxymoron--Check this website and Feel Happier!!

GoodNewsNetwork at www.goodnewsnetwork.org 

Oh by the way, did I tell you the story of the paralyzed cyclist who is now trying for the Olympics!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/08/cycling-paralympian-cured-idUSL5E7N74MR20111208

Cycling Cleats: Wedging for Better Stability

Search Amazon.com for cycling cleat wedges

Check out the right knee of the cyclist with the white shirt. See how that knee pulls in (valgus) compared to the right knee on the cyclist with the pink shirt. This inward pull of the knee causes a syndrome called "biker's knee" or patello-femoral dysfunction. Pain develops around the kneecap (patella) and can get quite annoying and disabling.

There are many reasons for that inward pull of the knee, and one of the common solutions is cleat chimming, wedging, or canting. Above are the yellow wedges, thicker on one side, that can be gradually introduced to the base of the cleat. These are the specific wedges used for Look Pedals.

Here you can see the bottom surface of the cleat with around 1/4 inch total wedging applied. See how the lateral side (5th toe/pinky toe) is thin and the arch side is thick. This is how the wedge cants the whole cleat, inverted the foot, and decreasing knee valgus (internal rotation of the knee).

Here a side view of that same wedge showing the thicker arch side.

Here is the side view of the thinner lateral side (pinky toe).

Here I am using the Look wedge template as a pattern and attempting to use thicker 1/16 inch polypropylene from JMS Plastics company.

Here 4 polypropylene wedges have been made and placed on the bottom of the cleat. This design has the 3 holes for the screws and skived to make the inverted cant.

Here the wedges are placed  in the right position and the screws are put into the 3 holes created. I am attempted the same degree of wedging as with the yellow Look chims, but hopefully they are firmer stronger and more durable.

Here are the initial 3 holes seen on the bottom of the cleat.

My good friend Marc Evans, world famous triathalon coach talks in this upcoming video on the biomechanics of arch line, heel line, and knee line.



These next two short videos show the change of the knee with these type cants.






Critical attention to the biomechanics of cycling can avoid many injuries. I hope this introduction to cleat wedging has been a useful introduction.

Join Marc Evans & Honor the STOP on

Sunday - Sept 12th, 2010                                    

for the Tour de Tahoe



And on Saturday, 9/11 during registration and EXPO in association with

BikeTheWest Marc Evans will be pledging 2000 cyclists and participants for the 8th annual Tour de Tahoe - Bike Big Blue.



A great opportunity to ride (Sunday) the 72 miles around America's largest alpine lake.



Come and take the pledge to obey all traffic laws and honor those who've lost their lives or have become seriously injured.

Honor The Stop Organization with New Website (Cycling Safety)

Please visit the new website of Honor The Stop for cycling safety, an organization founded by a friend and world renowned triathlete coach Marc Evans. Cycling is relatively safe, and a great exercise, but the rules of the road must be followed. The injuries in cycling can be devastating due to the collisions and the  high speeds involved. Honor The Stop helps raise our collective consciousness for road safety.