Sorry about the tear before the big ride. I have a torn ACL & MCL on both knees in addition to other boo boo's (broken back, won't bore you with the list) I did the Ca AIDS Lifecycle ride a bunch of times. No surgery for me. I don't want it but also it's not a good option for me.

I wear a brace when doing anything with a lot of lateral movement (martial arts) but nowhere else. Certainly not on the road bike. Good news is by strengthening all the surrounding muscles I'm pain and popping free. Bad news is I have to do that for the rest of my active life. Good news is I like working out. Yeah, TE!!

There is life and long rides after a torn ACL, you just have to work hard at it to stabilize the knee.