The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

I used to put in 5,000+ miles a year on my bicycle and pretty much stayed the same weight because I ate a really bad diet. One year I scaled my riding back to about 3,000 miles but changed my diet and dropped 20 pounds. What did that teach me? Cycling alone will not help you lose weight unless you pair it with a sensible approach to nutrition. Cycling with a decent diet will do wonders for you. In fact, the pounds will melt right off. Cycling is a great form of exercise that can provide numerous benefits for your health and fitness. It's a low-impact activity that can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and boost endurance. Additionally, it's a fun and enjoyable way to get outside and explore your surroundings. One of the most popular reasons for cycling is weight loss. Many people turn to cycling as a way to shed excess pounds and improve their overall health. However, despite its many benefits, cycling alone may not be enough to achieve your weight loss go...

How riding a bicycle 100 miles a week changes your health I usually ride at least 100 miles per week, sometimes much more when I am training for a long distance ride. Once I started riding that much, I started noticing signs of becoming more healthy.  In the winter time, my cycling drops off and, unfortunately, my eating ramps up. It does not take long to feel the health benefits I built up going away. Riding 100 miles a week works out to 20 miles a day if you ride 5 days a week and around 17 miles if you ride 6 days. I do not recommend riding 7 days a week every week because your body needs the rest.  If you are new to riding, 20 miles may sound like a lot but it is actually easy to work up to that and pretty soon you might even start to look at 20 miles as an "easy ride day." Check out the rest of this post to see how riding a bicycle 100 miles a week changes your health. Riding a bicycle is a great way to exercise and improve your health. It is a low-impact activity that i...

  As we age, our risk for heart disease increases. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for people over 65 years old. However, regular exercise can help to reduce this risk, and cycling is an excellent way for seniors to improve their heart health. In this blog post, we'll explore how cycling can benefit the heart health of seniors. Cycling improves cardiovascular fitness Cycling is a form of aerobic exercise, which means it gets the heart and lungs working harder. Regular cycling can improve cardiovascular fitness, which is the ability of the heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to the muscles efficiently. This leads to improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease. Cycling reduces inflammation Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of heart disease. Regular exercise, including cycling, has been shown to re...

  Cycling has been long hailed as an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation, and for good reason. But does riding a bicycle truly mean you have gone green? Let's take a closer look at the environmental impact of cycling. First and foremost, cycling produces no emissions. This means that riding a bicycle is a zero-emission mode of transportation, which is great for the environment. In contrast, cars, buses, and trains all produce emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. So in terms of emissions, cycling is definitely a green option. However, there are some environmental costs associated with cycling. For one, bicycles require resources to manufacture, including metals, plastics, and other materials. The production of these materials can have a significant environmental impact, including pollution and carbon emissions. Additionally, bicycles require maintenance, which can also have an environmental impact. The production and disposal of bicycle componen...

As the wheels of time turn, so do the wheels of our bicycles, carrying us through life's adventures. As a seasoned cyclist at the age of 67, I have come to understand the unique challenges that come with riding long-distance tours in my golden years. Nevertheless, with experience and a few well-honed tricks up my sleeve, I've managed to make these rides more enjoyable and fulfilling. In this blog post, I will share my insights on the challenges I've faced and the strategies I employ to make long-distance tours easier, so fellow cycling enthusiasts can continue to embark on epic journeys regardless of age. Embrace the Changing Dynamics As we age, it's crucial to acknowledge that our bodies might not be as resilient as they once were. But don't let that deter you from riding long distances! Embrace the changing dynamics of your body and understand that it may require more care and recovery time. Set Realistic Goals Long-distance tours are exhilarating, but it's es...

I am married. In fact, I am married to a non-cyclist. She thinks my long tours are just crazy and wonders why I do them. A few years ago, I was off of my bike for a while and she told me that I needed to get back on it because I was becoming a grumpy old man. I think that was her way of saying that she now understands that cycling is what keeps me sane. Do I wish she was a cyclist? Not really, but if I was single would I search for a partner who was also a cyclist? Probably. So you singles, here is a blog post for you. If you're single and looking for love, finding a romantic match can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, there are many ways to meet new people, and one of the most fun and unique ways is by using your bicycle as a tool for romance. Here are some tips on how to find a romantic match using a bicycle: Join a cycling club : Joining a cycling club can be a great way to meet new people who share your passion for cycling. Many cycling clubs offer group rides, ...

I never realized how much riding a bicycle would impact my life until I started doing it regularly. When I first got on a bike, it was purely for fun - I wanted to feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. But as I started cycling more and more, I began to realize just how much it was changing me, both physically and mentally. For one thing, cycling helped me become more active and fit. Before I started riding, I was pretty sedentary and weighed 275 pounds - I spent most of my days sitting on the couch. But once I started cycling regularly, I found that I had more energy and felt stronger. I could ride longer distances and tackle more challenging terrain. I also noticed that I was losing weight and toning my muscles, which made me feel more confident and proud of my body. But it wasn't just the physical benefits that made a difference. Riding a bike also helped me become more mentally resilient. When I was first starting out, I would often get frustrated by hills or tired le...

I love cycling and have been involved in it since my teens. It became my lifetime sport of choice but it was not always the one I thought I would end up doing into my 60's. As a child and into my high school years, I was a basketball player. I enjoyed playing it into my 30's with some of my co-workers but it really became too difficult for me. Before I became a cyclist I was an avid runner and ran many marathons but the wear and tear on my knee joints pretty much ended that for me. In fact, I have a rebuilt knee now because of my running. I was both a cyclist and a runner before I tore up my knee but turned specifically to cycling once my joints let me down. Cycling can be done way into your senior years. I once came across an 83 year old man on one of my training rides and he was still enjoying cycling about 3 days each week. In this blog post, I want to explore the many benefits of cycling as a lifetime sport. Cycling is a popular sport and leisure activity that has been enjo...

Cycling is much more than just a form of exercise or transportation. It can be a life-changing experience that positively impacts your mental health in numerous ways. The feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes with riding a bike is hard to match, and it's a feeling that can have a profound impact on your mental wellbeing. My wife found out early in our marriage that cycling was "in my DNA." She says she can tell when I haven't been riding enough by the way I act. She says that cycling makes me a much more pleasant and positive person. I don't disagree. It is what keeps my mental health in check. When you're out on your bike, you're able to leave the stresses of daily life behind and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the sound of your tires on the road all contribute to a sense of calm and contentment that is hard to describe. It's almost like a form of meditation, where your mind can wand...

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise. It not only helps you stay fit but also has numerous mental health benefits. Whether you prefer to cycle in the morning or in the evening, it can help provide mental clarity. Cycling can prepare you for the day ahead or help you unwind after a long day at work. Morning Cycling for Mental Clarity Being a morning cyclist can help you wake up and get your mind and body ready for the day. When you cycle in the morning, your body releases endorphins . They are natural feel-good hormones that help to reduce stress and anxiety. Endorphins can help you start your day with a positive mindset and clear your head of any worries or concerns that you have. Morning cycling can also help improve your focus and concentration throughout the day. When you exercise in the morning, it increases blood flow to the brain. That can improve cognitive function and help you to stay alert and focused throughout the day. This can be especially beneficial if you have a...

There's something special about the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a long bike ride. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a newbie, that sense of satisfaction and exhaustion that washes over you when you finally come to a stop is like nothing else. In fact, it is the best feeling of all. Physical First, there's the physical sensation. You're hot, sweaty, and your muscles ache in that satisfying way that tells you that you've worked hard. The wind in your hair, the sun on your skin, and the burn in your thighs from a long bike ride that all combines to create a unique sensation that's hard to describe. It's the feeling of having pushed yourself to your limits and come out the other side. Mental Then, there's the mental aspect. Cycling can be a meditative experience, and the longer the ride, the more time you have to clear your mind and let your thoughts wander. It's a chance to disconnect from the world for a litt...

Cycling is a popular form of exercise that has many health benefits. They include improved cardiovascular health, increased endurance, and reduced stress levels. However, many people are concerned about the potential effects of cycling on their libido. In this article, we will explore recent studies on the effects of cycling on the libido and what they reveal. No Effects Studies from 2018 to 2021 have investigated the effects of cycling on sexual function in both men and women. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2018 found that cycling had no negative effects on sexual function in middle-aged men. The study followed 128 men aged 50 to 71 who cycled for at least three hours per week. The researchers found that cycling was associated with better erectile function and sexual satisfaction. Increased Sensation Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2020 found that cycling was associated with increased genital sensation and sexu...

Let me say before getting into this post about bicycling and reduced cancer risk that I truly hate cancer. My first wife fought breast cancer from the age of 32 until she died at the age of 40 back in 1997. My current wife is a breast cancer survivor since 2016.  Cycling has long been known as an effective means of transportation and exercise. It has numerous benefits such as increasing cardiovascular health, improving mental health, and enhancing overall well-being. However, did you know that bicycling can also reduce cancer risks? Several studies have shown a correlation between regular cycling and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. For example, a study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that cycling can lower the risk of developing breast cancer. The study followed over 4000 women for an average of 8.5 years and found that those who cycled for at least an hour a day had a 34% lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who didn't cycle. Another...