The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

🚴‍♂️ Real Moments from the Road: A simple bike ride through downtown Lubbock turned into something more when I stopped to talk to a woman holding a sign. This is why I keep riding. Most days, my evening ride takes me through downtown Lubbock. It’s not that I’m looking for scenery or speed—Broadway is just quiet in the evenings. The traffic thins out, the buildings throw long shadows, and I can ride without thinking too much about cars or chaos. Tonight, though, something happened that reminded me why I love riding a bicycle more than ever. As I coasted down Broadway, I noticed a woman standing off to the side. She was older—maybe in her 60s—holding a simple sign that read, “Need Food.” I almost rolled past. A lot of people probably had. But something in me said to stop. I told her I didn’t have any money on me, but that I could come back. She looked me in the eyes and said, “I don’t want money. I want food.” She explained that her husband had been in the hospital for ...

Cycling is one of the best ways for seniors to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s a low-impact form of exercise that’s easy on the joints while offering major health benefits—like improved heart health, better balance, stronger muscles, and a real sense of freedom. Still, if you're a bit hesitant to hop on a bike, you're not alone. Concerns about safety, balance, or finding the right gear keep many older adults from giving it a try. The good news? With a few smart choices and simple adjustments, cycling can be a safe, fun, and deeply rewarding part of your life—no matter your age. Here’s my best advice for seniors who want to ride with confidence and joy: 1. Pick the Right Bike for You Comfort is everything. Look for a bike with a wider seat, upright handlebars, and a step-through frame. These features can make mounting and dismounting easier and reduce strain on your body. 👉 Best Bikes for Older Riders: Comfort, Support, and Joy on Tw...

One of the things I’ve come to realize after decades in the saddle is that cycling connects people in ways that few other things can. Whether it's for five minutes or five hours, riding side by side with someone can form a bond that sticks — even if the moment passes and you never see each other again. There are two rides that stand out in my memory, even though years — even decades — have gone by. I never exchanged full names or kept in touch with either of these people. But they’ve stayed with me, clear as a tailwind on a sunny day. 100 Miles of Camaraderie One year during the 24 Hours in the Canyon event at Palo Duro Canyon, I found myself riding the first stretch alongside a man I had never met before. We were similar in ability and resolve, and it just worked. We climbed out of the canyon together and covered the first 100 miles side by side, talking like old friends the entire way. I don’t remember his name now. I think he was from somewhere near Amarillo. But I do remember h...

That is my Renpho Scale the day I dropped under 190 lbs. Why I wholeheartedly recommend the RENPHO Solar Smart Scale Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. SNIPPET: I started using the RENPHO Solar Smart Scale in February when I weighed 204 pounds. Today, I weigh 187. While I owe some of that progress to tracking calories and understanding my TDEE, this scale gave me something I didn’t expect: daily motivation and insight that went way beyond the number on the screen. It’s the best health purchase I’ve made in years. I’ve ridden thousands of miles, watched my weight yo-yo over the decades, and tried more strategies than I care to admit. But in February 2025 , I made one of the best decisions in my long cycling and weight-loss journey: I bought the RENPHO Solar Smart Scale . And let me tell you — it’s not just a scale. It became my daily accountabilit...

🚴 Real Stories from the Road: I’ve ridden well over 150,000 miles — from desert highways to mountain passes — and visibility has saved me more times than I can count. This post isn’t theory. It’s lived experience. Be seen. Stay safe. When you’re on a bike, especially early in the morning, late in the evening, or in busy traffic, being seen is everything. I’ve had my fair share of close calls — moments where a driver just didn’t notice me until the last second. So I’ve learned to take visibility seriously, and if you’re reading this, you probably know how important it is too. 1. Wear Bright, High-Contrast Clothing Black may be sleek, but it’s not your friend on the road. Go for bright colors like neon yellow, orange, or red — anything that stands out against asphalt and urban backgrounds. I personally ride in long white sleeves and bright leg coverings. Even in daylight, it makes a difference. 2. Use Front and Rear Lights — Day and Night Don’t wait until dark. I run a ...

🚴 One Ride at a Time: After my solo bike tour ended on Day One, I committed to something new — one organized event a month. This is the start of that story, beginning with the Buffalo Gap Tour de Gap. I Trained 6,000 Miles for a Tour That Ended on Day One — So I Started Something Better I trained over 6,000 miles for a solo bicycle tour from San Diego to Las Cruces. Six thousand. That’s a number most people don’t throw around lightly. I rode in wind, in heat, in the middle of nowhere. I pushed through the doubts and the soreness. I dialed in my gear. My legs were ready. My heart was in it. And then — Day One. Crash. Broken bike. Bloodied pride. Tour over before it even began. I stood there in the desert, stunned. After all that work, after all that discipline, it was just… gone. I could’ve shut it all down. Put the bike in the garage, closed the door, and let the disappointment settle in like dust. But instead — I chose something else. One Event a Month. ...

I was on a bike tour from Lubbock, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and on this particular day, I was riding from Clovis to Fort Sumner — about 65 miles, short but needed after 100 the day before. The ride itself wasn’t anything dramatic. Not a lot of scenery yet — that stretch of New Mexico is beautiful in its own way, but it hadn’t really opened up yet. It was long, hot, and mostly quiet. I was probably about 7 miles outside of Fort Sumner. The finish line was in sight — not literally, but close enough to start thinking about cold drinks and a motel bed. I was riding the shoulder, like I always do. Cars passed by now and then, same as usual — nothing too close, nothing unusual. Until one of them did. I heard a loud pop. Not just tire noise — this was sharp. Sudden. Serious. I looked up and saw the car that had just passed me beginning to slow down. It pulled over onto the side of the road, maybe 50 yards up. I rolled toward it, cautious at first, but then I saw her...

Why a High-Quality Bike Is One of the Smartest Investments You'll Ever Make My Specialized Diverge has carried me well over 20,000 miles Because breaking down 40 miles from the nearest town isn’t just frustrating — it’s dangerous. After thousands of miles on the road, I’ve learned the hard way that quality matters. A dependable bike isn't a luxury — it's your lifeline on tour. Here’s why spending a little more up front will save you time, money, and breakdowns in the long run. 🚲 A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way If you're planning a multi-day bike tour , you already know how important it is to have a reliable ride. But let me tell you — when you're 40 miles from the nearest town and your frame cracks or your derailleur fails, it's not just an inconvenience. It’s a problem that can leave you stranded. Let me take you back to early 2020. I was out on a training ride when the chainstay on my steel-framed Specialized AWOL cracked. No crash, no warning — ju...

Updated August 8, 2025 E-bikes are changing the game for senior cyclists. I’ve seen it firsthand — older riders who thought their cycling days were behind them are now cruising with confidence thanks to the right electric bike. If you’ve struggled with balance or worry about stability, you’re not alone. And the good news is: there are smart, safe e-bike options made just for you. 🚲 Why E-Bikes Are a Game-Changer for Seniors I’ve written before about how e-bikes are helping seniors ride longer, safer, and how traditional cyclists should support people who ride them 👉 Why Traditional Cyclists Should Embrace E-Bikes, Not Judge Them What makes e-bikes so helpful? Pedal assistance means less strain on knees and hips Electric motors help on hills and in wind — no need to overexert Stability-focused designs (like step-through frames and trikes) help riders who may be unsteady mounting or dismounting Confidence boost — when balance is no longer a worry, riding b...

When I wrote about what “smart” cycling clothes really mean for seniors , I wasn’t talking about LED vests or GPS-connected gloves. I was talking about smart choices — gear that actually works for older riders: comfortable bibs, breathable layers, and sun sleeves that don’t strangle your arms. But I’ve been riding a long time, and I’m not blind to the way cycling gear is evolving. “Smart clothing” now means something very different to some people — and I’ve tried more of it than you might expect. So today, let’s talk about tech-enabled cycling clothing : what’s out there, what I’ve actually used, and what I’d recommend to fellow riders who want a little tech in their kit — without going full cyborg. 🧠 What Does “Smart” Mean in Cycling Clothing? These days, “smart” can mean: Clothes with built-in LED lights or turn signals Bluetooth-connected wearab  les that monitor heart rate, cadence, or breathing Sun-sensing fabrics or temperature-regulating materials Int...

Back in May 2024 , I briefly mentioned one of the scariest moments I’ve had while riding. You can read that post here:   👉   Even Cyclists Have Bad Days But today I want to tell the full story. 🐍 Life in Snake Country I lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico from 1989 to 2006 — about 17 years. We were out in the country, roughly 5 miles outside of town. And if you’ve never lived in the desert, let me tell you: it belongs to the snakes. We had snakes come right up to the house. Some were harmless, the kind you leave alone because they eat the mice and keep the real pests in check. But others — like the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake — were not welcome. Those snakes were venomous, aggressive, and dangerous. They killed two of our outdoor cats. One of them even killed our Jack Russell Terrier, Zack — who was only trying to protect our backyard, where our 3-year-old son Nicholas liked to play. Zack died the next day from the bite. That moment has stuck with me ever since. I don’...

Most days, I ride the same route. It’s familiar, fast, and I know every dip and crack in the pavement. But for the past month or so, that ride has included an unwelcome obstacle: two dogs that come charging out every time I pass one particular house. Now, I’ve been chased by a lot of dogs over the years — it just comes with the territory when you ride back roads. But this one is different. One of the dogs doesn’t just bark and chase. He tries to get under my front wheel. I’m serious — he dives toward my tire like he wants to stop me cold. That’s not just dangerous for me — it’s dangerous for him too. I’ve tried yelling. Sometimes I spray water at him from my bottle. That works once in a while, if I can get to it in time. But not always. And the worst part is the worry that one day, he’ll get hit by a car. I don’t want that. As frustrating as these chases are, I don’t want to see a dog hurt — not even one that’s scaring the hell out of me. So I changed my route. About two blocks ...

You might think spending $2,000 on a bicycle is outrageous. But have you priced out a heart procedure lately? I'm 69 years old, and I say this with humility, not pride—but people are often surprised when they find out. "You do not look 69," they tell me. I think a big part of that is cycling. It hasn’t just kept me moving. It’s kept me young . My wife says most 59-year-olds don’t walk like I do. She sees people shuffle through the store, leaning on carts, or struggling to stand up from a chair. Meanwhile, I ride my bike 30 to 50 miles a day, walk with confidence, and still play basketball when I feel like it. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying cycling will make you feel like you're 20 again. I’m still 69. I have aches and pains, just like anyone my age. But it could be a whole lot worse if I hadn’t been a cyclist. It hasn’t made me ageless—it’s just helped me age a whole lot better. That kind of vitality didn’t come from a magic pill or a clean eating f...

I retired in 2019 after 38 years as a teacher — most of that time spent in special education. But retirement didn’t feel like retirement. Not really. At the time, I was running a nonprofit food truck that employed people with disabilities. It was a mission close to my heart, and the hours were just as demanding as my classroom had been. So while I had technically stepped away from teaching, I was still going full speed ahead — just in a different direction. We ran that food truck hard through the summer and into the fall. Then, like every year, we shut down in November. That’s when things began to feel different. That’s when it started to feel like… maybe this was retirement after all. But just a few months later, the pandemic hit — and like everyone else, I was suddenly back at home, full-time. But that didn’t feel like retirement either. It felt like survival. We were locked down, routines were broken, and for a while, time stopped meaning anything. I should say — this wasn’t th...