Rode in to work today. Yesterday I rested after the 43 mile ride on Saturday. A rest day can make a big difference! I felt very strong and fast coming to work today! According to my cyclometer, I averaged 17.5 mph and hit 31 mph max speed. Not bad. But, my legs felt fresh and strong. I didn’t really push it at all and still made it here in 24 minutes. My wife passed me in the car once, but I caught her at two different lights!

When training, it’s important to rest some days, especially after a big ride. This is what lets the muscles repair themselves and be stronger.

My knee felt better. My right knee has been uncomfortable on the last few rides. I think my saddle was way too low. I got on the bike today and felt very high up! So, I will ride this a while and see how it goes. Oddly, my left knee has been fine. I’m a little concerned I am just getting old and have a bad knee. I used to like hiking and running but my knees didn’t. Cycling never bothered my knees until now. Another possibility is that I just need to keep getting stronger and my knees will be fine. I wore knee warmers today to see if that helped. Joints need protection, even when it’s not that cold out, at least until you get the blood flowing.

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Made my way home. Some parts were great. One stretch isn’t too steep, but it’s still uphill, and I was maintaining 18 mph. Knee hurt later. A bit. Not bad. I have tried raising my saddle, watching the way I pedal, checking my cleat position. I did a little research and chondromalacia of the patella sounds like a possibility. I know I’m not a doctor but it sounds similar. Good news is that strengthening my quad and hamstring muscles is a treatment, as well. I might try a brace and see if that helps. If it does, it would mean that it is likely something happening with my patella.

Weird thing, if I forget to pay attention to the way I pedal, I don’t notice it hurting until I try to make sure I pedal “right” again.

I don’t remember my knee hurting like this, except early in my training last time. So, maybe that’s all it is, is a weakness of the tendons in there or something. I hope so. I hope I’m not getting old and showing signs of arthritis.

Fenders came in for my wife’s bike. Yes! Fenders are the bomb! I would put fenders on my racing bike, too, if I could. I haven’t looked, actually, but I wouldn’t do it because it wouldn’t be “pro” and is against the rules.

I think a knee brace would look pro as long as it matched my saddle color.

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