The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

What Age Should You Quit Cycling? Last Updated: October 5, 2025 Quick Answer You don’t stop cycling because of a birthday. You stop when the balance tips—when pain, risk, or fear outweigh the joy. For most riders, that moment comes later than they think, especially with smarter pacing, better gear, and e-bikes. I’ll be seventy in just over a month. This year, I’ve ridden more miles than in any year of my life—and I’ve been cycling for fifty. I’ve done more long-distance tours in my sixties than in all my other decades combined. My weight is lower than it was in my forties, and my fitness is higher. But the reminders stack up. A knee replacement from eleven years ago has started to complain. Skin cancer cut from my leg left a scar that isn’t just cosmetic. And earlier this year, colon trouble led to three colonoscopies in seven months—one a five-hour ordeal where the Plan B was removing part of my colon and waking up with a bag. I got luck...

Most days when I’m riding 60, 70, or even 100 miles, I’m not chasing a finish line—I’m chasing clarity. It’s on the long, quiet roads where my thoughts get stripped down to the essentials, where discomfort becomes a teacher, and solitude becomes a companion. That’s where I realized something strange: the road had turned me into a Stoic. No, I don’t mean I’m emotionless or stone-faced on my bike. I mean the ancient philosophy of Stoicism—the stuff guys like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus wrote about—is alive and well out there on two wheels. “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius wrote that 2,000 years ago. But every cyclist knows the truth of it. You can’t control the wind turning against you 20 miles into a ride. You can’t control the heat radiating off Texas asphalt, or the flat tire five minutes from nowhere. But you can control your reaction. You can keep pedaling. That’s what Stoicism is—meeting discomfort wi...

Last Updated: October 4, 2025 🚴 Funny Gifts Cyclists Actually Love to Get (Even at a White-Elephant Exchange) 🎁 Quick Take: The best funny cyclist gifts live between stupid and useful . Think Bike Balls, a pizza-slice bell, or duck valve caps. Keep it under $25, get a laugh, and make it at least somewhat usable. I’ve done enough group rides and office swaps to know cyclists have a strange sense of humor. Mix two wheels with mild embarrassment and it’s an instant hit. Here are the picks that always land—ranked for laughs, usefulness, and zero fit headaches. 💡 Quick Picks (Under ~$25): Funniest visibility: Bike Balls LED Light Commuter favorite: Pizza Slice Bell Kids will steal these: Duck Valve Caps Kitchen gag that lasts: Bicycle Pizza Cutter My Shortlist of Hilarious (But Not Useless) Gifts Bike Balls LED Tail Light Yes, they dangle. Yes, they glow red. Juvenile? Yep. But cars notice the...

Updated October 3, 2025 🚴‍♂️ Quick Answer: Bib shorts are usually more comfortable than regular shorts because there’s no waistband digging in, the straps keep the chamois (padding) perfectly positioned, and the fit reduces rubbing on long rides. Padded cycling shorts—bib or not—protect soft tissue, spread pressure, and cut down on saddle sores. If you’ve only ridden in regular shorts, bib shorts feel like cheating. No waistband biting when you lean forward, the straps keep everything locked, and the chamois stays exactly where it should for hours. That’s “The Good.” But there’s “The Bad” (price and lifespan) and “The Ugly” (the bathroom dance and the look in a gas-station mirror). Let’s walk it through and then I’ll show three solid picks— Budget , Mid-Range (what I wear), and Premium . The Good: Why Bib Shorts Are Simply More Comfortable No waistband pain. With bibs, there’s nothing squeezing your stomach when you’re in the drops or grinding uphill. Sta...

🚴‍♂️ Quick Take: A good bike lane can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe. After a lifetime of cycling — and one crash that could have ended far worse — I’ve learned firsthand why cities like Lubbock need better cycling infrastructure now, not later. Why Bike Lanes Matter More Than Most People Realize As cyclists, we all know the uneasy balance of sharing the road with vehicles that outweigh us by thousands of pounds. A bike lane isn’t just a strip of paint — it’s often the only physical space between us and potential tragedy. And after decades on two wheels, I can say this with certainty: bike lanes save lives. But here in Lubbock, Texas , our bike lane network leaves a lot to be desired. There are a few scattered routes, and while they offer some protection, they’re often disconnected, poorly maintained, or built on streets that still feel unsafe to ride. Compared to cities like Santa Fe, Austin, Waco, San Diego, and Albuquerque — where bike...

Quick Take: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is the stiff, achy feeling that shows up 12–72 hours after a hard or new effort on the bike. It’s caused by micro-tears in your muscles as they adapt to new stress. For cyclists, DOMS can mean heavy legs, altered pedaling form, and disrupted training. The good news? Smart recovery and consistency reduce its impact over time. 🚴 My Worst Ride With DOMS A couple of years back, I learned the hard way just how much DOMS can derail a ride. I had knocked out a set of steep hill repeats—more climbing than I’d done in months. I felt proud finishing them, but the next morning my legs were on fire. Still, I saddled up for a planned 40-mile ride. Bad move. From the first pedal stroke, my quads felt like concrete. I struggled to hold even my easy pace, and by mile 20 my form was falling apart. Instead of a solid training day, it turned into a slow grind home and two more days off the bike than I’d planned. Lesson learned. ⚙️ What Is DOMS...

Last Updated: September 29, 2025 When a Knee Replacement Starts Hurting Again: What Cyclists Should Know Quick Take: If your knee replacement starts hurting years later, don’t ignore it. Common causes include loosening, infection, or wear. The right steps are x-rays, a bone scan, bloodwork to rule out infection, and a visit to your orthopedic surgeon. My Story: 11 Years After Knee Replacement Eleven years ago, I had a total knee replacement. At the time, it was the best medical decision I ever made. For ten full years, I rode pain-free—thousands of miles on the bike with no regrets. That kind of pain-free living almost made me forget how bad my knee used to be. But this year, something changed. At first, it was subtle—an ache under the kneecap, soreness along the outside of the joint. I figured it was overtraining. Then the pain grew sharper. After rides, the knee swelled up, and sometimes the back of the joint throbbed the next day. I went back to my orthoped...