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Q: we Justs found out about this list from a friend/list member. I've got a Surly LHT (Green) with fenders, Brooks B17 Flyer, Nitto Noodle Bar, Nitto Bar Extender thing and a Dinotte Lighting System. I'm looking forward to doing some long rides on her as well as some touring. In commuter trim she sports a Tubus Rack with an Arkel T-28 mounted in the rear . I've also got an OMM front rack and a full set of Arkels for touring. T-28s for the front and T-42s for the rear. This is a pic of the day I brought her home. Lastly, here's a pic of the dash , with the Dinotte's mounted to the Nitto Bar Extender. I'm just getting back into riding after 5 months off the bike. I'm rehab'n an injured ankle/foot and so far pedalin' seems to feel ok.

A: What were the details of the ankle/foot injury ? I too am nursing an injury from last year that despite approx 4 months off the bike, doesnt seem to be going away. I think I damaged the nerve between the big toe and second toe about 1 inch down from the second toe on the bottom of the foot (The area of the foot that sits directly on top of an SPD cleat), through overuse about halfway through last season as I was doing a lot of riding and bike equipment/fit adjustments in anticipation of a ride across the U.S. this summer. Now everytime I ride for more than just a few miles, the nerve flairs up and radiates pain into the toes, and occassionally even across the top of the foot into and into the ankle. Then I have sort of dull ache on the "spd spot" for the ensuing 24-48 hours. I have tried every pedal/shoe (cleats/ no cleats. Cycling shoes and hard soled street shoes) combo that my budget will allow and essentially no relief. Had my podiatrist design some custom orthotics. They help but dont provide much relief. Had a sports medicine doc inject it with steroids. No change. If yours (or anyone else who reads this) is similar and is resolved, I would be interested in knowing how you resolved it. You finally got around to saying that you had been to a doctor, so that was going to be my advice. I ride in Shimano sandals with Eggbeaters. I switched to them from SPDs last summer when I started getting a sensation like I had a pebble in my shoe after riding a dozen or so miles. I bought a new pair of sandals, changed pedal styles, moved the cleat around and nothing changed much. I went to the foot doc and he said that I was getting a touch of arthritis in my big toes (more on the right than the left) and the decrease in mobility was causing me to roll my foot to the right putting pressure in a new place. He cobbled together a thingamabob that he thought might give me temporary relief until I had permanent inserts made, but it was more of a pain to put on than the pain it was relieving. For the short term I'm making do with ibuprofen. I also bought a pair of running shoes that offer more support for when I'm off the bike. If that's the worse pain I ever have to endure, I guess I'll be happy.

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