It's Almost Time! - Cycling

It is almost time for the Olympics to begin! The games are set to begin in just two weeks on Friday, July 27.  The official countdown is 14 days so start making your paper count down chains.

There are several different sports in the Olympics, including four different types of cycling.  The different types of cycling including BMX, Mountain Bike, Road Bike, and Track Bike.  BMX became an Olympic sport at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  Mountain biking will challenge Olympians with rocky paths and tricky terrain.  Road biking is all about speed; the first event is a men's road race on July 28.  Track cycling has been featured in all Olympic games except one since 1896. 

Foot Care for Cyclists - Check Out these Tips from Bicycling.com

"Painful burning on the ball of the foot (a.k.a. hot foot, or metatarsalgia) is usually a result of hot weather or poorly fitting shoes—or both—on long, hilly rides. "Pressure can pinch nerves in one or both feet and shut down a ride fast," says Amol Saxena, DPM, a time-trial cyclist and podiatrist in the department of sports medicine at the Palo Alto Medical Hospital in California. "If hot foot strikes while you're on a ride, there isn't much you can do other than stop, take off your shoes and let your feet cool down." Saxena takes these precautions to keep his feet cool and comfortable during races.

DO THE SQUISH TEST When shopping for cycling shoes, pull out the insole and hold it up to the bottom of your bare foot (in front of a mirror). "if you can see any part of your foot beyond the borders of the insole, you need a wider shoe," says Saxena. a tip: When you find the perfect shoe, buy another pair for backup.

TAKE A LOAD OFF Move your cleats a few millimeters closer to the heel of the shoe to take pressure off your forefoot. or switch to a larger-platform pedal to more evenly distribute the pressure across your feet.

CUSHION THE BLOW Over time and after many miles on the bike, your feet start to lose their natural padding, which can make riding painful. adding more supportive insoles to your cycling shoes can help. if you're shopping for new shoes, take the insoles along to make sure you get the best fit.

BE A MATERIAL GIRL Choose socks made of high-tech fibers such as Coolmax and Thermax, which wick away sweat. and don't buy a pair right off the rack; try them on with your cycling shoes first."