A confluence of particularly good circumstances with a big clunky monkey wrench thrown in for this upcoming weekend.

My wife is having a girls trip into the mountains. Mother in law has both babies. I'm home alone all weekend, I don't even have to wear pants. This never happens, I usually just squeeze in what I can.

I was thinking about a century followed by a big mountain bike ride. Or explore a new cliff I discovered then a big gravel ride. Or some way finding a way to go on a decent ride on all 4 bikes in two days. Road, mountain, vintage, and gravel.

I woke up Monday with a sore knee for no reason. Poor mobility, stiff, clunking. Now, Wednesday, it's a little less sore. Crossing my fingers it'll be well enough to ride, even with a brace.

This is a known meniscus problem that has never given me a minute of trouble on the bike. Not looking for internet docs, just bummed.

Yardwork?
Ugh.

Hopefully today is a better day and you can start planning for your ride tomorrow morning. You might have to cut back a little on your goals but that is part of cycling. Good luck.

Man plans, God laughs.

Drugs are your friends.

Vitamin I can work wonders.

One common problem with cycling is knee cap tracking. I occasionally get a sore knee. When I do, there is one exercise I like. I sit on the edge of my bed and hang my feet over the side. Then I slowly raise my foot until my lower leg is parallel to the ground. That's it - easy and no weights required. What you're doing is working the support muscles that keep the kneecap tracking properly. Sometimes it may help to use your hand to make sure the kneecap it moving the way it should, but for the most part it's just an exercise in holding your knee squarely as you raise and lower your feet. If you do this a few times on days preceeding rides, it might help surprisingly.

Fingers and toes crossed for good luck

Spent the day rock climbing on Saturday. A little pain hiking in but ok on the way out. Great day actually.

Easy 35 miler on the Spectrum for Sunday. I felt strong and was done by 10. But holy cow, by mid afternoon just lounging around it hurt. I've been pretty hobbled all day today unfortunately.

Thursday, I finally will be active on my insurance. Crazy policy is that you get coverage on the 1st after your first month. That can be up to 7 weeks uninsured while working. Stupid policy. Good news is that a perk of the new employer is free MRI and CT. I guess I'll be using it sooner than later.

Cortisone shot. Good enuff for the NFL,

seriously, I would see saw bones before you do more damage,

or if you don't care then Vitamin M (Motrin)

hot bath, maybe some useless Epsom salts, Atomic Balm,

and a Swedish masseuse named Helga.

My right knee is a bit of a problem and has been for some time . I have a bubble of fluid from an irritated bursa that looks like an extra knee cap and I have had it drained many times and it just keeps coming back so I just leave it. The Ortho guy says it is caused by irritation somewhere and it could be dealt with surgically but no guarantees , it could still come back. Recently when I do my fast walking in the morning I feel a bit of pain right under the knee cap . This is only when I am walking , never when riding. I did 40 miles on Sunday with no pain at all. I have a virtual Dr.'s visit Friday and I will mention it. I need to get my 3 month blood panel done for an existing health issue that is not related. I have been putting off the whole surgery thing for a few years and I think he will probably recommend a visit to the orthropod. Maybe an MRI or something, the last one showed nothing and the meniscus was actually good for my age (65). I have always been on the thin side 6' 1" and 155 lbs. and I don't run , ever! I just ride my bike about 50 miles a week. I take ibuprofen when life throws me aches or pain, the stuff is great . Fortunately I don't have to take it very often. Joe

My knees were shot at age 57, after 3 surgeries for torn meniscus, so I gave up cycling. At age 64, I got both knees replaced. At age 65, I started cycling again. After a little over 2 years, I've ridden over 9,000 miles, got my weight as low as ever -134- and have the fitness I'd expect for being 10 years older. There is hope.

i just heard a lady on the radio say that exercise is the best thing for a bum knee wtf?

I had a torn meniscus of the left knee and was scheduled for surgery. My orthopedist, one of the best in the country, required that I do either physical therapy for 6 months or a recumbent bicycle for 6 months following surgery. I had to sign a statement confirming my decision. I chose the recumbent bicycle because my apartment complex has a gym with one. I started doing the therapy a month before the operation which was canceled following the unexpected passing of my wife. I used the stationary bicycle everyday to work out some of my grief and started noticing that it was feeling better month by month. In less than a year, I had no knee pain and no need for the operation. That was 7 years ago. Some of the latest research on meniscus surgery indicates that physical therapy is as effective to the surgery.

My sister-in-law tore her meniscus. Had it repaired through surgery & all seemed better for a while until it tore again. She eventually had to have a meniscus transplant from an organ donor.

Some good information contained here.

Full disclosure, I am a nurse who works in surgery. I'm no stranger to the procedure or patho. I recently switched hospital systems and my insurance is not in network for the guys and gals I've seen in action. The doc I chose was based on a single meeting at a completely non medical happenstance. That and he doesn't roll with an entourage (still getting bills from my youngest baby, the surgical assist was not employed by the doc, so he's trying to bill separately, 14 months later).

My knee feels a ton better today. It did about this time last week and a pretty easy 32 mile ride ruined the rest of the week. I've gone rock climbing thrice this week, heavy packs, walking, and agile movements beyond my flexibility haven't hurt. Intentionally staying home today.

I'm actually am beginning to think badly strained a hamstring or ITB that caused misalignment up front that gave me meniscus pain until the business in the back calmed down. Best part about this, is that it pretty much confirms I'm old, since it happened in my sleep.

Got an appointment soon so I'll hopefully learn a little more then.