The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

After surviving one of the wettest, coldest, most miserable 100-mile rides of my life at the Ride for the Roses, I returned to my job as a 6th-grade geography teacher — tired, sore, and a little proud. Naturally, the students were curious. “How’d you do?” one asked. Without missing a beat, I said, “I beat Lance Armstrong.” That’s when a spunky girl in the back — the kind every teacher remembers — shot back: “Prove it.” Now, keep in mind, this was the early 2000s. You couldn’t just whip up an AI photo or use Photoshop on your phone. But I had an idea. A friend of mine had taken a picture of Armstrong early in the ride. I also had a photo of myself crossing the finish line. So I got to work. I merged the two images, aligning them just right so that it looked like I was beating Lance Armstrong by about a foot. I had the picture printed and framed. Then I hung it in my classroom — right next to the map of Europe I used for teaching about the Tour de France. Most of the kids could tell i...

The Day I Rode with Robin Williams (Sort Of) I once rode in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, Texas, on October 26, 2003. I’ll never forget what a gorgeous day it was the day before the ride when I picked up my registration materials. The sun was shining, the air was calm, and it felt like perfect cycling weather. But the next morning told a different story. It was cold, windy, and overcast. The ride was supposed to start at 8:00 AM, but we all stood shivering in our gear, waiting. Why? Because Lance Armstrong was the special guest, and the crowd wasn’t moving until he showed up. This was a Livestrong event, and at the time, Lance was the greatest cyclist in the world. He had won his 5th straight Tour de France that year. People were excited to see him — but not so excited about waiting in the cold. Finally, about 30 minutes late, Armstrong arrived and the ride began. A full 100 miles lay ahead, and the weather was already miserable. Around 20 miles in, I was pedaling st...

More Than 50 Years on the Bike — And This Still Hasn’t Changed I’ve been cycling American roads for over five decades — from the flatlands of Lubbock, Texas to the brutal climbs near San Diego. And despite all the improvements in gear, roads, and technology, one thing still hasn’t changed enough: Many drivers still don’t know how to safely share the road with cyclists. But here’s the thing — it’s often not due to hostility or impatience. A lot of it comes down to a simple lack of knowledge. Most drivers have never been taught how to interact safely with cyclists. They don’t understand how much space a cyclist needs to stay upright. They don’t realize how a car’s wind draft can destabilize a rider. And they often misinterpret a cyclist swerving as careless, when in reality, we may be dodging potholes, debris, or unexpected crosswinds. Driver’s Education Is Failing Cyclists Young drivers are taught how to parallel park and merge onto freeways. But few are ever taught how to share...

There’s a lot of noise out there right now. Political fights. Social media arguments. Endless headlines about what’s wrong with the world and who’s to blame. It’s easy to get caught up in it—and I’ll admit, sometimes I do. But I’ve found a way to quiet it all. I get on my bike. When I ride, I’m not thinking about the latest outrage or who said what on the news. I’m thinking about my breathing, the next curve in the road, how the sun feels on my back, or whether that hill up ahead is going to burn my legs. The noise fades. The world slows down. And for a while, I remember what really matters. Riding gives me perspective. It reminds me that most of what we’re arguing about isn’t nearly as important as we think it is—not in the grand scheme of things. The birds don’t care about politics. The road doesn’t ask how I voted. The wind doesn’t play favorites. When I’m riding, I get to just be . And that’s a rare gift in today’s world. I remember a ride back in 2016 that really brought this h...

When Everything Felt Perfect on the Bike Some days on the bike surprise you — not because of what goes wrong, but because of how right everything feels. That’s how it started for me on June 1st in San Diego. I had trained for a full year, preparing for what was meant to be the final leg of my long-distance cycling tour across the United States. I’d already ridden from Las Cruces, New Mexico to Lubbock, then all the way to Florida. All that remained was the west: San Diego to Las Cruces. Over 6,500 miles of training — much of it on Texas roads — had prepared me for this. I focused hard on climbing, knowing the first two days of the ride would be steep. When I rolled out of San Diego that afternoon, I felt stronger than I could’ve hoped. The hills didn’t intimidate me. My legs had power. My breathing was steady. I felt ready — not just physically, but mentally. So ready, in fact, that I pushed beyond the plan. Day 1 was supposed to end before the toughest climb. Instead, I decided t...

Understanding How a Bicycle Works A bicycle may look simple, but it’s a marvel of mechanical design. It’s a two-wheeled vehicle powered entirely by human effort — specifically, your legs. Here’s how it works: When you pedal, the motion turns the crankset. The crankset drives the chain, which in turn spins the rear wheel. Meanwhile, the front wheel, connected to the frame and steered by handlebars, keeps you on course. Let’s break down the main components: Key Parts of a Bicycle Frame : The core structure that connects all other parts and supports the rider. Wheels : Made up of rims, spokes, and hubs — these keep you rolling. Tires : Provide traction, cushion impacts, and determine how smooth or rough your ride feels. Crankset : Where the pedaling happens. Attached to crankarms and pedals, it initiates the chain's movement. Chain : Transfers power from your legs to the rear wheel. Rear Wheel : Drives the bike forward using the force from the chain. Brakes : Usually mounted on...

For most of my cycling life, sunscreen was an afterthought — if I thought about it at all. I’ve logged thousands of miles under the Texas sun, my arms and neck darkened by years of exposure. I wore my tan lines like a badge of honor, a mark of a cyclist who’s spent real time in the saddle. But I’ll tell you the truth: I never truly worried about it… until I turned 69. I went in for a free skin check offered by a local hospital — no symptoms, just something that seemed like a smart thing to do. The dermatologist took one look and said, “You need to get this checked out as soon as possible. It’s very likely skin cancer.” Let me tell you — that stopped me cold. Suddenly, all those years of skipping sunscreen didn’t feel tough. They felt reckless. I’d trained hard for decades, watched my diet, kept my heart strong — and yet I’d ignored the largest organ of my body: my skin. Thankfully, I got treatment and caught it early. But it was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. Now, I Don't...

It was 6:00 AM when it happened. The canyon was still. The kind of stillness that follows a long, grueling night on the bike. I was pedaling through the final hours of the 24 Hours in the Canyon ride in Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, Texas. My legs ached. My body was drained. My mind floated somewhere between focus and fatigue. Then, the first light of dawn crept over the canyon walls—soft, golden, sacred. Just as the sun rose about 18 hours into the ride, my odometer ticked past 200 miles . And I cried. Not from pain—though there was plenty of that. Not even from exhaustion—though I was completely spent. I cried because that number, 200 , meant more than distance. It represented every early morning ride. Every evening I forced myself onto the saddle when I could’ve rested. Every ache, every doubt, every mental battle I had quietly won. That moment was the culmination of a year’s worth of commitment to a ride that tested every fiber of who I am. You don’t ride 200 miles by acci...

🧰 Updated Gear Guide Available: For my full 2025 cycling gear checklist and favorites, click here . As someone who’s always looking for deals on quality cycling gear, I recently came across a new tool that might help fellow riders save time and money. It’s called Shomp , and it tracks sales across 70+ cycling apparel and gear brands — including Rapha, Pearl Izumi, Le Col, Velocio, and more. You can follow your favorite brands or categories and get a single daily email that shows all current sales. No need to dig through dozens of promotional emails or jump between websites. I’ve checked out their cycling apparel and bike gear sections and was surprised by how many stores they include — some I hadn’t even heard of. I’ve been cycling for years, and I can’t count how many times I’ve gone from one brand’s site to another trying to find a decent sale on bibs or jerseys. I don’t love getting bombarded with promo emails either. Shomp feels like a clean shortcut — one page, and I see what’...

The Feeling I Get When I Ride My Bike on Rainy Days Most people think of rainy days as a reason to stay inside. They see the dark clouds and drizzle as a barrier, a signal to cancel plans or delay adventure. But for me, rainy days offer something different—something strangely beautiful. When I ride my bike in the rain, I feel more alive than ever. The first drops always test my resolve. They tap gently on my helmet, slide across my glasses, and soak into my gloves. But once I'm out there, there's no turning back—and I don’t want to. The rhythm of the rain blends with the cadence of my legs, and suddenly, the world quiets. Cars disappear. Trails clear out. It's just me, the road, and the soft hiss of tires slicing through wet pavement. There’s a purity to riding in the rain. It's raw and honest. No pretense, no perfect conditions—just effort, grit, and surrender. You can’t fake your way through it. You either commit, or you don’t. But once I do, I often find a kind...

A Real Cyclist’s Honest Take Let me start with this: I’m not an elite rider. I’m not trying to sell you anything. I’m just a regular guy in his 60s who’s spent a lot of years — and miles — on two wheels. I ride because I love it. The open road, the sun on my face, the wind (sometimes too much wind) — that’s where I feel free. But this winter was different. I was training for a long-distance tour, and the weather in Texas just wasn’t cooperating. Normally, I’d just skip the cold days. Maybe walk a bit, wait it out. But I didn’t want to lose the gains I’d made during the summer and fall. So for the first time ever, I started riding indoors — not at home, but at the gym. My Experience with the Gym’s Indoor Bike The gym had a Technogym bike with guided rides and the option to stream TV or use apps. I picked the hill programs and gradually pushed myself harder. It wasn’t easy at first. Let me be honest: riding indoors is a mental battle. Five miles on that stationary bike felt ...

There are days on the bike that test your legs. Others that test your lungs. And then there are days that test your survival instincts. One of those days came for me on a tour from the Texas-Oklahoma border to South Padre Island—a ride that turned into a battle against the elements, specifically the relentless South Texas heat. The day I’ll never forget was the ride from Kingsville to Raymondville. It started off hot and only got hotter. Riviera, a tiny speck of a town 20 miles outside Kingsville, was my last chance for supplies before the 60-mile haul across a scorched and treeless stretch of land. The forecast was already flirting with 110 degrees when I rolled into the gas station. I loaded up—water bottles in both cages, extras stuffed into my trailer and even tucked into my jersey pockets. I knew this stretch was going to hurt. And I was right. About 20 miles from Raymondville, I glanced at my cycling computer: 113 degrees . The sun wasn’t just bearing down—it felt like it was ...

🧰 Updated Gear Guide Available: For my full 2025 cycling gear checklist and favorites, click here . Cycling Gloves: An Essential Piece of Gear for Every Rider Whether you're a casual commuter, weekend warrior, or seasoned road cyclist, one thing holds true: cycling gloves are more than just an accessory — they're a critical part of your gear. Designed for grip, comfort, and protection, the right gloves can make a big difference on every ride. Benefits of Cycling Gloves 1. Better Grip Cycling gloves improve grip on the handlebars, especially in wet or sweaty conditions. Most have textured or silicone-coated palms that help increase friction, keeping your hands firmly in place and improving bike control — even during sudden movements or rough terrain. 2. Enhanced Comfort Padded cycling gloves reduce vibration from the road or trail, protecting your hands from numbness and fatigue. Padding materials vary — gel, foam, and silicone are common. More rugged gloves for mountain bikin...

Cycling Over 60: The Advice I Wish Someone Had Given Me Cycling over 60 isn’t about chasing speed — it’s about chasing freedom, health, and joy. I’ve logged thousands of miles in my 60s and now at 69, and I can tell you: this sport has changed my life. But I didn’t always know what I was doing. I made mistakes. I learned the hard way. And if you’re just getting into cycling — or want to do it smarter and safer — here’s the advice I wish someone had given me years ago. 🚴‍♂️ 1. Comfort Matters More Than Speed You don’t need an expensive race bike. You need a bike that fits your body and makes you want to ride again tomorrow. Prioritize: Upright posture A saddle that works for your anatomy Tires with a little cushion I started with a basic road bike and slowly dialed it in. Now my setup feels like an extension of me. 🧠 2. Your Mind Will Try to Quit Before Your Body Does The first few weeks are the hardest. You’ll feel slow. You’ll doubt yourself. Ignore it. Your b...

Derailleur destruction caused by a rag sucked into the drivetrain—proof that even a tiny oversight can bring down thousands of miles of planning. I trained for a year—twelve solid months of sweat, hills, and heart—for one ride that I hoped would complete my dream of cycling across the United States. I had already pedaled from Las Cruces to Lubbock and from there to Florida. All that remained was the western stretch: San Diego to Las Cruces . This tour was meant to be the final chapter of a journey years in the making. I didn’t take the challenge lightly. I logged over 6,500 miles in training , with a heavy focus on hill work, knowing the first two days would demand everything my legs had. Physically, I was ready. Mentally, I was locked in. Spiritually? Unshakable. The Start of the Tour: Strong, Steady, and Full of Purpose I drove the 1,100 miles to San Diego with anticipation and purpose. I rolled out on June 1st , feeling confident and free. In fact, I felt so good that I pushed b...

Embarking on a cycling journey as a beginner can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. Whether you're looking to commute, explore nature, or get fit, starting off with the right knowledge can make all the difference. This guide covers the most important tips for new cyclists—so you can hit the road with confidence and ease. 1. Choose the Right Bike for Your Goals Not all bikes are created equal. Start by understanding the different types of bikes available—like road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and city bikes. Think about where you’ll ride most often. Will you be cruising around the neighborhood, hitting local trails, or commuting to work? Visit a local bike shop to get sized correctly and ask about frame materials and features. A comfortable fit is more important than flashy features. 2. Put Safety First Every Time Safety is essential for every rider, especially when you're just starting out. Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Equip your bike with front and r...

My Specialized AWOL and Bob Trailer at a rest stop on the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico for Lubbock, Texas Touring bikes aren’t just machines—they're companions for thousands of miles, rolling journals of adventure, resilience, and freedom. Over the years, I’ve ridden many bikes, but none have left a mark on me quite like the Specialized AWOL . Though it's no longer in production, I still consider it the best touring bike I’ve ever owned. It handled fully loaded tours with a BOB trailer like a dream and gave me unmatched comfort on the road. But while the AWOL has been retired from the market, there are still plenty of exceptional touring bikes out there that carry the torch. If you're planning a big tour—or just daydreaming—these are some of the best you can find today. 🚴‍♂️ 1. Surly Long Haul Trucker / Disc Trucker No list of touring bikes is complete without Surly. The Long Haul Trucker (and its disc-brake sibling, the Disc Trucker ) is a legend among tourers. Frame...