The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

If cycling is such good exercise, why don’t most cyclists have a visible six-pack? I’ve seen this question for years, and I understand why it sticks in your head. You’ll see a few riders who look absolutely shredded, and then you’ll see plenty of strong cyclists who can climb for miles, ride for hours, and still don’t have “magazine cover” abs. Here’s the truth: most cyclists have strong abs . They just don’t always have visible abs. And that is not a problem—it’s often a sign they’re doing things the healthy, sustainable way. Strong Abs vs Visible Abs Cycling forces your core to work the entire time. Your abs stabilize your torso, keep your hips steady, help you breathe efficiently, and transfer power to the pedals—especially when you’re climbing, sprinting, or riding in a low position. But here’s the key distinction: Strong abs are common in cyclists. Visible abs usually require a lower body-fat level than mo...

Last Updated: June 17, 2026 Quick Take: After riding over 6 ,000 miles in one year , my 11-year-old knee replacement suddenly started hurting again. I feared the implant had come loose. A bone scan showed it was fine—the real issue was soft tissue irritation from overuse . What helped most was smarter riding, recovery habits, and SoftWave therapy. If you don’t have access to SoftWave, there are still plenty of ways to improve knee pain and keep riding. I Thought My Knee Replacement Was Failing I’ve had this artificial knee for over a decade, and for most of those years it was almost trouble-free. I rode thousands of miles. Climbed hills. Put in long days in West Texas wind. Lived life like the knee would last forever. Then the pain came back. If you have a knee replacement, you know how fast your mind goes dark when that happens. Did it loosen? Is it wearing out? Am I headed for another surgery? I got a bone scan expecting bad news. Instead, I got the two be...

Foam Rollers for Endurance Athletes: Why Cyclists, Runners, and Triathletes Should Roll (From a 30-Mile Day Legs Feel Like Mine) Last Updated: September 17, 2025 Quick Take: After hard miles, your legs don’t just feel tight—they are. A foam roller boosts circulation, loosens stuck fascia, and helps you move better tomorrow. I pushed a 30-mile ride today and the roller turned “stiff and creaky” into “okay, I can train again.” Endurance sport is a bargain you make with your body: you get the joy of long days, but you owe it recovery. I rode 30 miles today and pushed it. Quads and calves lit up, hips cranky. Ten focused minutes on a foam roller didn’t make me brand-new—but it flipped the next-day script from hobble to ready . If you ride, run, swim, hike, or stack bricks of training, this simple tool belongs in your kit. Why Foam Rolling Helps (Plain English) More blood in, junk out: Light pressure + movement improves local circulation. That helps shuttle nut...

Quick Answer: Cyclists can get shin splints from overtraining, poor bike fit, or cleat setup. Backing off intensity, adjusting your fit, and adding recovery tools like compression sleeves can help you ride pain-free. Cycling and Shin Splints: Why They Happen and How to Stop Them Cycling is supposed to be low-impact — and most of the time it is. But every now and then, I’ve felt a dull ache creep up the front of my shins, especially during heavier training weeks. The first time it happened, I thought shin splints were just a “runner’s thing.” Turns out, cyclists aren’t immune. My Experience With Shin Splints on the Bike Every so often, when I get into a groove and push the miles or intensity a little too hard, my shins let me know. That sharp, nagging discomfort tells me I’ve crossed the line into overtraining. These days, when I feel it start, I immediately back off — fewer hills, easier cadence, maybe even an extra rest day. Within a few days, the pain usually eases up. It’s a...

By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog I’ll be upfront: I don’t drink. Not because I never did, and not because I think it’s evil. I just know what it does to the body — and more importantly, what it does to performance. After decades in the saddle, I’ve seen plenty of cyclists try to balance training, touring, or racing with regular alcohol use. And I’ve also seen how that usually plays out: slower recovery, more fatigue, and poor decisions that cost people rides, results, or worse. This isn’t a lecture — just a reflection from someone who rides a lot, trains seriously, and has chosen not to make alcohol part of the picture. 🍺 What Alcohol Does (Even in Small Amounts) When you drink, your body stops what it’s doing to process the alcohol. That includes things like muscle repair, hydration, and brain function — which are pretty important if you’re cycling long distances or trying to stay sharp in traffic. Here’s what I’ve observed in others — and why I stay away from alco...

Last Updated: January 19, 2026 Quick Answer: Yes — long-distance cyclists may benefit from magnesium because hard riding (especially in heat) can increase magnesium loss through sweat. Getting enough can support normal muscle function, recovery, and sleep — three things that matter when you’re riding often. When you’re logging long miles, grinding up hills, or pushing through a headwind, you think about training, gear, and hydration — but a lot of cyclists forget one simple thing: minerals . Magnesium is one of the big ones. It’s involved in how your muscles contract and relax, how your nerves fire, and how your body produces energy. If you ride a lot — especially in hot weather — you may be losing more of it than you realize. Should Long-Distance Cyclists Take Magnesium? Possibly, yes. I’m not a doctor, but I am a long-distance rider, and I’ve learned this the hard way: when your electrolytes are off, your legs will let you know. 🦵 Why Magnesium Matters for...

🧘 Why I Stretch — Even After 150,000 Miles: I’ve ridden more miles than most folks drive — but if there’s one thing that’s kept me going strong, it’s stretching. This post shares the practical habits that help me stay limber, ride longer, and recover better at 69 years old. The Importance of Stretching for Senior Cyclists One of the smartest things you can do as a senior cyclist? Stretch. It’s not flashy. It’s not high-tech. But it’s one of the most powerful ways to protect your body, ride stronger, and stay in the saddle longer. Why Stretching Matters More as We Age As we get older, our muscles and joints naturally become stiffer. That’s just biology. But we don’t have to accept decreased mobility or discomfort as part of the deal. Regular stretching helps counteract the effects of aging, making every movement — including pedaling — smoother and less prone to injury. ✅ Reduces tightness in key cycling muscles like the quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors ...