54 years of age here and I cannot seem to get past the 12 mile mark
due to my left lower back muscle. It is not a disc problem for I had
half of it taken out 13 years ago. I have to stand up on the bike and
stretch forward to relax it but quarter mile down the road there it is
again. I am thinking that maybe the muscle is weak and needs strength
so anyone experienced this and what exercises or whatever is done
to rid myself of this albatross?

Ted, I sometimes get that on the other side, but not from riding the bike. If I am diligent about doing exercises 2 or 3 times a week at the gym, it doesn't get me. I'm 57 (today) and would guess your issue is a muscle thing and not a spinal issue.

Try to strenthen that area. I have only been riding semi seriously for a couple of months, but haven't had any back issues, and I do have some back problems doing other things.

John

Happy Birthday John!!!!

Workouts on a rowing machine really helped out with my lower back muscle problemms. I sleep better, am not so picky about what I sleep on and 'throw my back out' waaaaay less. bk

There's a YMCA program called "Y's Way To A Healthy Back" that seems to work pretty well. I'm a cycling newspaper reporter with occasional back problems, and I did a story on it five or so years ago. It's mainly basic exercises and advice on things like how to lift and what to avoid.