Originally Posted by calamarichris

At your young age, you should be able to run and ride without pain. It might require some serious stretching (something I also took for granted & neglect when I was as young as you are and probably dumber than you are.) Stick with that roller. The pain means your IT band is tight. When you can put all your weight on it without agony, I'll wager your knee problems will go away.
Stretching is HUGE. And there are worse things than stretching, breathing and relaxing in a yoga studio filled with fit, hot, sweaty, scantily-clad young women. Just make some effort at the stretching & breathing while you're there.