Trust me... I feel your frustration!

I bought my bike in October 2004... didn't ride much because the weather got bad.

So, I hit the spin classes in the gym... and worked very hard to get better.

Then, I had a few warm days and I hit the road! I was SO HAPPY because I was doing SO MUCH BETTER!!!

I was finally getting to where I could go 18MPH, and hills would not kick my butt.

Then, a slight pain in the knee started... and then it became acute, to the point where I couldn't even pedal with my left leg. I would be lucky to get in 20 miles without really bad pain.

I went to the LBS, kept getting fitted... changed pedals and shoes... all this right before the MS150. I was so frustrated and disappointed, because I wanted to ride the MS150... and I have the strength (in my legs) to do it...

So, I went into the MS150 with a plan... ride slow and spin the whole way. I didn't go over 12 MPH... averaged 9 MPH on the hills. I made it 45 miles the first day and 20 miles the second day!

Sure, I didn't get THAT far... and I went VERY SLOW... but I got 65 miles out of my knees that wouldn't go 20 miles before!

Do I have the answers? No. I just understand what you are going through.

I still have knee pain and my plan is to lay off when it's really bad... and to not over train. I have a triathlon June 18th... and I want to do it to have fun... so if I suck on the cycling... then so be it.

Best of luck! I know I have hope that my knee pain will subside as I ease back into the saddle... spin all the time... and rest when I need it!

PS- I am also going to add weight training to my regime!