Hi Mike,
I've had the host of age and/or cycling related aches and pains: knee, lower back,hip, etc. Knee problems started 25 years ago, back problems 5 years earlier (L4-L5). I've tried lots of remedies: rest, custom orthodics, aline orthodics (my favorite), stretches,ice, ibuprofin, to name a few.

I read "Born to Run" over a year ago, and it made sense to me: feet, ankles, knees, hips are all part of one interconnected system; and shoes make us walk in an unnatural way, leading to aches and pains.

I eased into Merrell's "barefoot running shoes" (after finding 5-fingers too weird) for daily use and for cycling, and continue daily stretches, and judicious chiropractic. So far, so good. Feel better, stronger, pain free.

YMMV,
Larry