The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 Quick Take: Triathletes already bought all the expensive stuff—bike, wetsuit, shoes, gadgets. So the best gifts are the practical upgrades they use every single day but never think to replace. Trust me: it's not the flashy gear that impresses them… it’s the stuff that makes training hurt a little less. Before someone asks: no, I’ve never competed in a triathlon. I wanted to when I was younger, but after knee reconstruction, running is not on my approved activities list. I’m a cyclist through and through—70 years old, miles in my legs, and no shame in admitting I admire triathletes from the comfort of my saddle. But here’s the thing: I used to run marathons. I’m a strong swimmer. And after decades of endurance training, I absolutely understand what triathletes go through. Three disciplines, constant fatigue, nonstop gear, and approximately 487 things to remember on any given training day. So yes—I may not toe the start line of an Iron...

Published: December 24, 2025 Quick Take: At 70 years old, I’m riding stronger than ever—not because I’m chasing speed records, but because I’ve leaned into organized events, smart training, and a few key gear upgrades. If you’re a senior cyclist (or want to be one), this is what’s working for me and how you can build your own cycling life after 60. There’s something poetic about flipping a calendar page. The calendar turns, but the road remains the same. The asphalt doesn’t care how old I am, what month it is, or whether the wind favors me or tries to break me—it just waits. Looking back on 2025, I can see just how much this past year shifted the way I ride. For decades, I was a solo tour guy. I’d pack up the bike, head out alone, and let the days unfold one mile at a time. But 2025 was different. This was a year of single-day events, multi-day rides, and shared roads with other cyclists chasing their own stories. And honestly? It was one of the most rewardin...

Last Updated: December 2025 Quick Take: The best bike lock depends on how you ride. Commuters need fast and tough. Tourers need light and flexible. Road cyclists want compact strength. MTB riders need reach. E-bike riders need maximum anti-theft protection. Here are the best budget, mid-price, and premium locks for every type of cyclist. The Best Bike Locks for Every Cyclist: Budget, Mid-Price, and Premium Picks As a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist who’s parked bikes everywhere from Texas to Florida, I’ve learned one truth: thieves always attack the weakest lock. This guide makes it easy to match the right lock to your riding style — and choose a budget, mid-range, or premium option that fits your bike and your reality. Why Your Lock Choice Matters Different cyclists need different locks. Your choice depends on: How long you leave the bike unattended Whether you ride in a high-theft city or low-risk area How valuable your bike is ...

Before my San Diego to Las Cruces tour, I was seriously thinking about getting a new bike. My Specialized Diverge had served me well for over 20,000 miles—maybe closer to 25,000—but it was never designed as a pure touring bike. I’d been eyeing a Surly, the kind of bike built from the frame up for long, loaded journeys. A real workhorse. Something that could haul gear, chew up the miles, and shrug off the punishment of the road. But then came the mishap. A rag got pulled into my derailleur. One small mistake, and suddenly my tour plans were sitting on the shoulder with me—a ride-ending breakdown in San Diego . The kind that makes your stomach drop, because you can feel a dream slipping away in real time. Standing there beside my disabled bike, I called my wife. She didn’t hesitate. “Keep going,” she said. “If you have to buy a new bike in San Diego, then buy a new bike.” It would’ve been the perfect excuse. A dream justified. I could’ve walked into a bike shop...

Last Updated: December 2025 Cycling “Nuts and Bolts” Books: Repair, Training, Fit, and Touring (Commonly Recommended) If you want the practical side of cycling — fixing things, training smarter, riding pain-free, and doing longer rides with fewer surprises — books can beat random videos. They’re slower, clearer, and they don’t disappear when a platform changes. Important note (honest + simple): I’m sharing these as well-regarded, widely recommended cycling reference books — not as personal “I used this exact one” endorsements. Use this list as a strong starting point, then pick the one that matches what you’re trying to learn. 1) The Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair A classic home-workshop repair guide. This is one of the most commonly recommended “start here” repair references because it’s structured, visual, and step-by-step. 2) Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance Frequently recommended for road cyclists who want a deeper, more detailed maintenance...

Last Updated: November 28, 2025 Quick Take: Cycling isn’t my escape—it’s my confessional. The road knows the version of me no one else sees, and every mile strips away everything but the truth. Cycling Is My Mistress Some people chase hobbies. Some chase goals. I chase the road. I always have. Not because I’m running from anyone—and not because I’m unhappy. My wife knows me better than anyone alive. She knows I love her. She also knows there’s a part of me she can’t compete with, and I don’t say that lightly. Cycling is my mistress. Not in the way people whisper behind closed doors. In the way something calls your name, long after you should’ve outgrown it. In the way a quiet obsession becomes a second pulse. She’s the one who wakes me before sunrise. She’s the one who pulls me out the door when logic says “not today.” She’s the one who knows the version of me no one else sees—the tired, hurting, stubborn, grateful, alive version. My wife sees the man. Th...

Last Updated: December 8, 2025 As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Quick Answer: No — cycling does not raise testosterone. Light riding has little effect, and long-distance endurance riding can actually lower T by increasing fatigue, stress hormones, and calorie deficits. Saddle pressure doesn’t reduce testosterone, but it can cause numbness and ED symptoms that make riders think it does. Here's what a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist has learned the hard way. Does Cycling Raise Testosterone? Short answer? No. Cycling doesn’t raise testosterone. If anything, the more miles you stack up every week, the more likely your testosterone is to dip. Long-distance cyclists — especially men over 50 — tend to see lower testosterone for two reasons: High training volume spikes cortisol, and cortisol suppresses testosterone. Many cyclists under-eat, and calorie deficits lower hormone levels extremely fast. B...