The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

                                   It might sound ironic, but at 69, I believe I'm a better cyclist now than I was 20 or 30 years ago. No, I don’t ride as fast as I once did, and my days of chasing personal records are behind me. But I’m more proficient — smarter, more efficient, and more in tune with the rhythm of the road. As a touring cyclist, I value endurance over speed. And thanks to years of experience, I can now ride longer distances with less struggle than I could in my younger days. So, does cycling change as you age? Absolutely. But not all of those changes are negative. 🧓 The Physical Realities of Aging Let’s be honest — aging does bring challenges. Our bodies change in ways that can affect performance, comfort, and safety on the bike. Some of the most common changes include: Muscle loss , making it harder to generate power Joint stiffness , which can impact comfort and mobility ...

Last Updated: July 12, 2026 Quick Answer: Some cyclists keep riding for a lifetime because cycling eventually becomes about much more than exercise. Over the years, it teaches resilience, gratitude, integrity, faith in others, and the ability to adapt when life does not go according to plan. When I first started riding seriously, I thought the bicycle was simply a great way to stay in shape. I enjoyed the challenge, the fresh air, and the feeling of accomplishment that came at the end of a long ride. I never imagined that cycling would remain such an important part of my life for more than five decades. Looking back now, I realize that better fitness was only the beginning. If exercise had been the only reward, I probably would have found something easier years ago. What kept pulling me back was not stronger legs, faster times, or another impressive number on a cycling computer. It was the way cycling was quietly changing me as a person. The bicycle can carry y...

Welcome to the Ride Hi, I’m Bruce Bussell — a 69-year-old touring cyclist from Lubbock, Texas. I may call West Texas home, but my bicycle has taken me thousands of miles beyond it. From the panhandle to the coast and through countless towns in between, the open road has become my second home. I started this blog with one goal in mind: to inspire people my age to get active and discover that you can ride farther — and feel better — than you ever imagined. This isn’t about racing or competing. It’s about freedom, movement, and discovering just how much you’re still capable of. In July 2020, I rode 962 miles in 12 blazing-hot days from Texhoma, Oklahoma to South Padre Island. Back in 2016, I pedaled 1,050 miles in 19 days from Lubbock to Pensacola, Florida. And those are just a couple of the many multi-day rides I’ve completed over the years. But I didn’t start out this way. Just a few years ago, I was 85 pounds heavier and far from fit. The bicycle changed that — and it can change you...