The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick Take: Most people think I still ride because it's good exercise. They're only partly right. After riding more than 155,000 miles over the past five decades, I've learned that the greatest benefit isn't stronger legs or a healthier heart. It's what cycling does for my mind. Every ride leaves me calmer, happier, and thinking more clearly than when I started. After more than 155,000 miles on a bicycle, I've discovered that the greatest benefit isn't stronger legs—it's a clearer mind. When people hear that I've ridden more than 155,000 miles during my lifetime, they usually assume I must really enjoy exercise. I do. I enjoy seeing new places, climbing hills, exploring back roads, and challenging myself with bicycle tours that most people my age wouldn't even consider. Cycling has helped me lose weight, improve my health, and continue doing things at 70 that many people give up years earlier. But if I'm b...

Last Updated: December 27, 2025 Quick Answer: Yes — cycling can make sciatica worse if your bike fit is off or your saddle puts pressure on the nerve. But with the right adjustments, many riders say cycling actually helps relieve stiffness and reduces flare-ups. Here’s what I’ve learned listening to cyclists who ride with real sciatica pain. Does Cycling Make Sciatica Worse? What Senior Riders Should Know Sciatica is brutal. That sharp, radiating nerve pain can turn everyday life into a battle — and cycling into a question mark. Some riders swear that gentle spinning helps. Others say it flares things up fast. The truth? It depends on your setup, posture, and root cause of the nerve compression. Let’s break it down clearly so you can make smart decisions before your next ride. 🚫 When Cycling Can Make Sciatica Worse These are the issues real riders told me were guaranteed flare-ups: Pressure from narrow saddles — Too much weight on the wrong spot can...

Last Updated: November 30, 2025 Quick Answer: Fifty years on a bicycle teaches you far more than fitness. You learn patience, resilience, freedom, gratitude, and the joy of riding at any age. The road changes you—but always gives more back than it takes. 50 Years of Cycling: The Lessons That Actually Matter For more than five decades, I’ve lived a big chunk of my life on two wheels. Roads changed. Bikes changed. I changed. But that feeling of freedom I get every time I pedal? That’s the one thing that never has. I started riding in my teens chasing speed, independence, and adventure. Now, at 70, the rides mean something deeper—clarity, health, peace, and a connection to the world I don’t get anywhere else. Lesson 1: Patience Is Earned One Climb at a Time Long climbs taught me pacing, breathing, and calm. You can’t rush a hill, and you can’t rush life. The bike taught me that decades before I learned it anywhere else. Lesson 2: Your Body Changes — Your Spirit D...