The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: December 2025 Cycling “Nuts and Bolts” Books: Repair, Training, Fit, and Touring (Commonly Recommended) If you want the practical side of cycling — fixing things, training smarter, riding pain-free, and doing longer rides with fewer surprises — books can beat random videos. They’re slower, clearer, and they don’t disappear when a platform changes. Important note (honest + simple): I’m sharing these as well-regarded, widely recommended cycling reference books — not as personal “I used this exact one” endorsements. Use this list as a strong starting point, then pick the one that matches what you’re trying to learn. 1) The Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair A classic home-workshop repair guide. This is one of the most commonly recommended “start here” repair references because it’s structured, visual, and step-by-step. 2) Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance Frequently recommended for road cyclists who want a deeper, more detailed maintenance...

Updated May 10, 2026 🚴 Real Stories from the Road: A broken spoke in the middle of nowhere could’ve ended my ride on Day Two. But two things saved the tour—and they might save yours too. Two Things You Absolutely Need on a Long-Distance Bicycle Tour In 2016, I was riding solo from Lubbock , Texas to Pensacola, Florida. I was only ten miles into what was supposed to be an 80-mile day when—*snap*—I broke a spoke. No towns. No traffic. No other cyclists. Just me, a quiet road, and a disabled bike. But I didn’t panic. I had the tools, the spare spoke, and just enough know-how to get back on the road. That moment could’ve been the end of my tour, but instead, it became one of those stories you never forget. Here’s what that experience taught me: there are two things every long-distance cyclist needs—no matter your fitness level, gear, or route. 🔧 1. Basic Bicycle Repair Knowledge Even seasoned cyclists run into mechanical trouble on tour. It usually happens wh...