The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Let’s talk about something most cyclists never do — at least not out loud. The tingling. The numbness. The awkward post-ride soreness that lingers longer than it should. If you’ve ever stepped off your bike and wondered, “Is this normal?” — you’re not alone. In fact, this post is a follow-up to one of the most popular and surprising articles on my blog: 👉 Can Cycling Improve Orgasms? The Surprising Science Behind the Ride But this time, I want to dig a little deeper — into the very real concerns cyclists have about sexual health, saddle pain, and how to ride with comfort and confidence for years to come. 🧠 The Science of the Saddle When you ride a bike, especially for long distances or multiple days in a row, a lot of pressure is focused right where you don’t want it — the perineum , the area between your sit bones that contains major nerves and blood vessels. For men, too much compression here can lead to erectile issues or prolonged numbness. For women, it can cause vaginal d...

Some rides don’t test your legs — they test your heart. In 2016, I was cycling across the country from Lubbock to Florida. I had already put in long, hot, humid days through Texas and Louisiana, and I was somewhere in the middle of central Louisiana on a road that felt like it might never end. From the start of that day, something felt off. My legs were dead. And when your legs go, everything else starts to follow. My neck ached. My shoulders were tight. My spirit was worse. I was days into the tour and starting to feel completely isolated. Even on my worst rides, I usually know I have the physical ability to grind through — but this time, doubt started creeping into my head. The kind of doubt that whispers, “Maybe you don’t have it today.” I had about 60 miles left to ride. I pulled into a convenience store to refill my bottles, mentally counting down how far I had to go — and not liking the number. That’s when I met them. Two large young men — I mean big guys, built like NFL linebac...

If you ride long distances — especially back-to-back days — you’ve probably dealt with it: that uncomfortable soreness “back there” that creeps in no matter how good your bike fit or padded shorts are. I’ve been riding for decades, and while I’ve learned to prevent most issues, every now and then the miles catch up with me. That’s when I reach for this: Yes, that’s my actual stick sitting in our medicine cabinet. It’s called the Chamois Butt’r Solid Anti-Chafing Stick , and let me tell you — it works. I’ve used all sorts of chamois creams and lotions over the years, but this is the only product I consistently go back to when things get sore. 🚿 How I Use It After Long Rides Most often, I don’t need it before a ride — though you could use it that way. For me, the magic happens after I’ve already done the damage: I get off the bike, shower, dry off… Then I apply the Chamois Butt’r stick directly to the affected area. By the next day? That soreness is either gone or dramat...

Let’s get something straight right from the start. This isn’t a list that tells you to wear a helmet or bring your phone. That’s a given. If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’re already riding with the basics: A good helmet Cycling shoes and padded shorts A jersey and gloves A cycling computer or phone to track your ride But what about the other stuff ? The items you don’t think about until you’re 15 miles from home with a flat tire, sunburned arms, or cars buzzing past you too close for comfort? That’s what this post is about— the 5 most important items I always take on every ride (no matter how short or long), in addition to the gear above. These are the unsung heroes that keep me comfortable, safe, and prepared. 1. Flat Repair Kit or Mini Pump Flats are part of cycling. It’s not a question of if—it’s when. If you run tubeless, carry a plug kit. If you ride with tubes, bring a patch kit or a spare tube. Either way, you need a way to inflate that tire. I use...

The calendar may flip to July, but for long-distance cyclists like me, the training doesn’t stop — and neither does the heat. Here in West Texas, the summer sun can be relentless, and yet, if you’re training for a big ride or tour, you can’t always wait for a cool morning breeze. Sometimes, you’ve got to ride when the sun’s high, the pavement’s sizzling, and the heat is pressing down like a wool blanket. I’ve done my fair share of rides in the 90s and even 100s. And I’ve learned — sometimes the hard way — that riding smart in the heat is the difference between a good training session and a dangerous situation. 1. Hydration Starts Before You Clip In If you're waiting until you're thirsty to drink, you're already behind. I start hydrating the night before a long ride and take regular sips from the first mile on. I always carry two bottles: both with electrolytes to replace what I’m sweating out. My go-to: Elete Electrolyte Drops . I put these drops in my water bottles be...

By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog Cycling long distances often feels like a solitary pursuit — just you, your bike, and the miles ahead. But if you ride the same routes often enough, something surprising happens. You begin to notice the constants — a dog that runs to the fence to greet you, a man sitting on his porch with his dogs, a student with a bubble machine playing with her pet. You don’t know these people or animals. Not really. You don’t know their names or stories. But you miss them when they’re gone. Why I Ride Familiar Routes I’m the kind of cyclist who tends to ride the same roads almost every day. Sure, I mix it up depending on distance or wind direction, but the bones of the route remain the same. There's a reason for that. When I’m on a long tour or a tough event, and I’m five miles from the finish, I like to picture where I’d be if I were five miles from home. It grounds me. It’s familiar. And that mental trick helps me push through, even when I’m exhausted. But...

Thanks for stopping by — especially if you came here from Pinterest or clicked on one of my Etsy links! I wanted to let you know that CreativeBicycleStore on Etsy is temporarily under construction while I upgrade and improve every product listing. That means all of my digital cycling posters are offline for a short time — but for good reason. Over the next few days, I’m: ✔️ Replacing old files with high-resolution PDF and PNG downloads ✔️ Creating beautiful new mockup images so you know exactly what you're getting ✔️ Making sure each file prints clearly in standard sizes like 8×10 and 11×14 This relaunch ensures every buyer receives a product that’s easy to print, frame, and enjoy. 🛒 My shop will reopen by mid-July 2025 , with a cleaner layout, better files, and even more original cycling art. 📍 Want to Stay in the Loop? Here’s how to follow along and come back when everything’s live: 🔗 Favorite my Etsy shop: CreativeBicycleStore 📌 Follow me on...

Let’s get one thing straight: I’ve been riding since I was a teenager. Decades later, I’m still at it — not because I’m trying to break records or prove anything — but simply because I like it. I go cycling because I like it — not because I’m good at it. I’ve never needed a finish line to chase or a podium to feel satisfied. Two wheels, a road ahead, and a bit of time to myself? That’s always been enough. I Ride Because It Grounds Me One of my most meaningful rides wasn’t even that long. It was a cool spring morning here in Texas. I’d been under a lot of pressure — emotionally, physically, and mentally. My thoughts were heavy, and I needed to shake them loose. So I got on the bike. No destination. No heart rate monitor. Just movement. Somewhere between mile 8 and mile 12, the fog started to lift. The world seemed quieter. The road rolled on, and I followed it. By the time I got back, I was a different man — lighter in spirit, steadier in stride. That’s why I ride. It centers...

Update: I have temporarily deactivated this listing to improve them. I will reactivate within a couple of days. I want to give you the best possible file so you can use it for whatever you want to make. There’s nothing quite like grinding up a hill in the rain. Soaked, wind in your face, legs on fire — and somehow, that’s the ride you remember most. That’s the spirit behind this digital cycling poster set I created. It’s a tribute to riders who don’t quit when the weather turns bad. You get all three designs in one instant download, ready to print as posters or use on gear like mugs, shirts, or tote bags. 🖼️ What You Get 👉 Grab the full set here on Etsy You’ll get all 3 designs: "Every drop of rain fuels the soul of a cyclist" "A rainy climb still beats a dry couch" "The storm only makes the summit sweeter" Each one is a high-resolution pencil-style drawing of a cyclist climbing through the rain — minimal, gritty, and honest. You’ll receiv...

These Arm Sleeves May Have Saved My Skin Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ve spent thousands of hours on the bike in the sun. Like most cyclists, I never thought much about sun exposure—until recently. My wife encouraged me to go to a free skin check clinic, and that visit may have changed everything. The doctor found a suspicious spot on my arm . A follow-up with the dermatologist confirmed it was precancerous and could turn into something more serious if I didn’t act. That was a wake-up call. She told me two things: start wearing sunscreen and cover up when I ride. I listened. But with hairy arms , rubbing sunscreen in was a sticky, messy hassle. I hated the feeling, and it didn’t last long when I was sweating on a long ride. That’s when I found these: OutdoorEssentials UV Sun Protection Arm Sleeves . I ordered...

If you’ve ever dealt with painful leg cramps after a long ride, especially in the heat, you know how frustrating and exhausting it can be. I used to suffer from cramps almost every time I pushed past 30 or 40 miles — and sometimes they’d hit at night, waking me out of a sound sleep. Nothing Seemed to Work I drank plenty of water. I tried Gatorade. I even experimented with stretching routines and post-ride recovery drinks. But no matter what I did, the cramps kept coming. They were especially bad after riding in the West Texas sun — dry heat, long roads, and not much shade. Then I Tried This I heard about a product called elete Electrolyte Drops . It’s an all-natural, sugar-free liquid that you just squirt into your water bottle before riding. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I gave it a shot. And I’m not exaggerating when I say the cramps stopped almost completely. One Squirt Per Bottle = Relief Since I started using Elete, I haven’t had a single bad cramp during or after a ride — u...

The Only Bib Shorts I Wear Now When it comes to cycling gear, I’ve learned the hard way that price doesn’t always equal quality. Over the years I’ve tried expensive bib shorts from the big brands and also picked up some cheaper options — and they all seemed to wear out the same way: fraying seams, fading, and loose fit after a few months. Then I discovered Przewalski Men’s 3D Padded Bib Shorts . And I haven’t looked back since. Better Quality for Half the Price What surprised me most was the build quality. These bibs cost a fraction of what I used to pay, but they hold up better. The fabric is durable, the stitching is solid, and the compression is just right — snug but not restrictive. I’ve been using these for years now, and they’re still going strong. Comfort That Lasts on Long Rides The padding is fantastic. The Coolmax 3D chamois is designed for comfort on long rides — up to 8 hours. I’ve ridden centuries in these shorts and stayed dry, supported, and chafe-free. T...

The Rearview Mirror That Saved My Life (And Why I Still Use It on Every Ride) There aren’t many cycling accessories I’d call “life-saving,” but this one absolutely earns that title. I’ve been riding with the Bike Peddler Take A Look mirror since 2014, and I can honestly say it has saved my life at least three times. Plastic Mirrors Let Me Down — This One Didn’t Before I found the Bike Peddler mirror, I tried a handful of other rearview mirrors. Most of them were made of flimsy plastic and either broke quickly or shook so much that they were useless. On long tours and daily rides, I couldn’t rely on them — and that’s dangerous when you’re sharing the road with distracted drivers. Since I installed this mirror, I’ve never looked back. Well... actually, I look back almost as much as I look forward now. That’s the point. It Saved Me More Than Once I remember one moment clearly. I was riding a quiet stretch of road when I saw a car veering over the white line behind me — head...

From San Diego Dreams to a Lubbock Reset I trained for nearly a year — over 6,000 miles in the saddle — with one big goal: to ride from San Diego to Las Cruces. But sometimes life throws a wrench into your derailleur. On that long tour, I had a freak accident that broke my bicycle and forced me to cut the ride short and head home. It wasn’t the ending I trained for, but I wasn’t about to stop pedaling. While my bike was in the shop (for what would turn out to be two weeks), I didn’t miss a beat. I swapped the open road for my indoor trainer and just kept riding. Not glamorous — but it kept my legs moving and my spirit grounded. Biopsy, Broken Crank, and Broken Momentum The day I got my bike back, I had a six-month checkup — and the doctor did a biopsy on a suspicious spot on my lower leg. That same afternoon, I tried riding outside again, but my gears were all over the place. Back to the shop I went. The next day they called with more bad news: my crank needed replacing. The part would...

Robots That Ride: What Cycling Droids Can Teach Us About Balance, Grit, and the Future of Two Wheels When I’m out on the road logging another 30 miles under the Texas sun, I’m usually thinking about hydration, cadence, and whether I packed enough snacks—not about robots. But recently, I stumbled across something amazing: robots are learning to ride bicycles . Not just balancing… some are performing BMX tricks, bunny hops, and urban navigation that would make any cyclist nod with respect. And it got me thinking. What can these machines teach us humans about cycling—and maybe even about life? 🤖 The Rise of the Bicycle-Riding Robot Back in the 2000s, a little bot named Murata Boy stunned the world by balancing on a bicycle all by itself. Since then, robotics engineers have been pushing boundaries. Fast-forward to today, and we have UMV (Ultra Mobility Vehicle) —a self-balancing robot that can bunny hop, track stand, and corner like a BMX pro. It's not remote controlled; it l...

What Makes a Great Cycling Helmet? (And How I Chose Mine) When I started cycling more seriously, I thought all helmets were pretty much the same. As long as it fit and looked decent, that was enough—right? Turns out, there’s a lot more that goes into choosing a great cycling helmet than most people think. After thousands of miles on the road and a few close calls, I’ve learned to appreciate the small features that make a huge difference. This post isn’t about the most expensive gear—just what matters most when you’re looking for a helmet that protects, performs, and lasts. 1. Certified Safety Standards At a minimum, your helmet should be CPSC certified in the U.S. That means it meets basic impact protection standards. Some helmets go further with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which helps reduce rotational forces in a crash. 2. Fit and Adjustability A good helmet should fit snug but not tight. The best ones offer dial-adjust systems that let you tweak the ...

Cycling Gear I Can’t Ride Without: Lessons From the Road After thousands of miles in the saddle, I’ve come to realize that some cycling gear becomes more than just equipment—it becomes part of the journey. This post isn’t about selling you the latest high-tech gadgets or pushing fancy brands. It’s about sharing the cycling gear that’s earned its keep on my rides over the years. 1. A Helmet That Fits Like a Glove I never used to think much about helmets—until a crash reminded me just how important the right fit and ventilation really are. My current helmet isn’t flashy, but it’s comfortable, cools well, and gives me peace of mind. 2. Padded Shorts (Yes, Even on Short Rides) If I had a dollar for every mile I’ve ridden in padded shorts, I could probably buy a new bike. The right pair of cycling shorts can make or break a ride, especially on multi-day tours or long training days. 3. Gloves That Protect (and Remind Me to Wave) My gloves serve two purposes: grip and greetings. Th...

🧠 Updated Guide Available: For the full 2025 helmet guide (including comfort, fit, and new safety standards), click here . Cycling is one of the best ways to stay active, but protecting your head is non-negotiable. Whether you're riding around the neighborhood or training for a long-distance tour, wearing a reliable helmet is essential. In this post, I've gathered a list of highly rated bike helmets for adults —each selected for comfort, safety, and value. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, so if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog! By the way, The Giro Register MIPS Helmet is the one I use. 🚴‍♂️ My Top Bike Helmet Picks for 2025 1. Giro Register MIPS Adult Recreational Cycling Helmet MIPS technology for added brain protection Lightweight and comfortable for long rides Built-in visor and 22 vents for ventilation Why I Like It: It’s a great val...

Can Cycling Boost Your Sex Drive After 60? The Surprising Connection Let’s talk about something most people shy away from—sex and aging. Specifically, how cycling might just be the most unexpected way to give your libido a lift after 60. As a lifelong cyclist who’s now in my late 60s, I’ve discovered some benefits of riding that go far beyond heart health and muscle tone. Yes, cycling may actually improve your sex drive —and there’s science to back it up. 1. Improved Blood Flow = Better Performance Cycling is one of the best cardiovascular workouts for older adults. It gets your heart pumping and blood flowing—two things that matter a lot when it comes to sexual health. Better circulation means better delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout your body—including to areas that support arousal and intimacy. 2. Boosted Testosterone and Mood Moderate aerobic exercise like cycling has been shown to increase testosterone levels in older men and improve mood in both men and women. ...