Century in 2 Weeks and Cranky Knees

[SadieKate]

I have found that the book "Bicycling Medicine" by Arnie Baker, MD is a great resource. Bicycling Medicine
From your description, it may be patellar tendinitis. He says it takes a relatively long time to resolve with continued riding. Tendonitis may result from repetitive bicycling stress may follow a one-time injury or result from poor bike fit, specifically: low saddle, forward position, big gears and long hills. Some people's anatomy predisposes them. He says to sit back farther in your saddle and spin at no less than 85 RPM. Avoid hills, especially long climbs, avoid long cranks and limit floatation to 5 degrees. It ought to be cheap to have your saddle fore/aft position checked. Don't know if you can use cleats that limit floatation and I would think your small bike has short cranks but you should look. They should be 170 or smaller (though cranks shorter than that can be darn tought to find).

However, there are a number of front of the knee issues Arnie Baker talks about including quadraceps tendonitis and pre-patellar bursitis. You might want to invest in the book to read all about them. I'm wearing out our copy because he has so much terrific info.

I can bring it on Sunday for you to peruse, but I'd invest now since you have so much at stake. I wish I had remembered it yesterday.