Ok, so I have bad knees (thanks dad!). When I was 14, I had to have surgery on my left knee for a chronically dislocating kneecap. Probably some of the worst pain in my life. It went out on me 5 times before I got it fixed. I was on the same course as my father, who had surgery at 16 on the left and 35 on his right. Well, I hit 30 this year and my right knee is starting to show signs of the same crap I had before.

Apparently the technical term for what I have is Chondromalacia, where basically my kneecap doesn't track properly. Currently if I'm in too big of a gear, I feel the pain behind my kneecap as it rubs incorrectly in the joint. It's nothing horrible, but I'm slightly concerned about RAGBRAI this year. The route is about 18,000 feet of climb over the week. Basically lots of rolling hills. Considering my knee is bothering me on the Chicago flats sometimes, I can't wait to see what hills do to it. It's currently slightly swollen, which my boyfriend pointed out to me tonight. Swell.

I'm not sure what to do about it. I've read what the physical therapy is for it - basically strengthening your quads and such. One of the exercises recommended is riding a stationary bike I suppose I could strengthen the muscles more than they already are, but I'm not sure what good that would do.

Does anyone else have this problem? Apparently it's pretty common in us girls. If so, what do you do? Part of me says get the dang thing fixed in the winter like I did with the left. I'm secretly mortified of having it dislocate on me.

Thanks!

oh and I do take celebrex for longer rides. I'm not really keen on wearing one of those braces on the bike either. I can't imagine how sweaty and uncomfortable that would get!