The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: February 2026 Fresh formatting + cleaner story flow for easier reading and better skimming. The “photo” that launched a classroom legend. After surviving one of the wettest, coldest, most miserable 100-mile rides of my life at the Ride for the Roses, I returned to my job as a 6th-grade geography teacher — tired, sore, and a little proud. Naturally, the students were curious. “How’d you do?” one asked. Without missing a beat, I said: “I beat Lance Armstrong.” That’s when a spunky girl in the back — the kind every teacher remembers — shot back: “Prove it.” Now, keep in mind, this was the early 2000s. You couldn’t just whip up an AI photo or use Photoshop on your phone. But I had an idea. Here’s what I did: A friend of mine had taken a picture of Armstrong early in the ride. I also had a photo of myself crossing the finish line. So I got to work and merged the two images,...

Updated March 4, 2026 Let’s take a break from gear reviews and riding tips to dive into the world of cycling on the big screen . Whether you're into intense race documentaries or fictional underdog stories, here are the top cycling films that every rider (or fan) should watch. Watch Many of These on Prime Video Several of these cycling movies are available to rent or stream on Prime Video. If you don’t already have Prime, you can check it out here:  👉 Start a Prime Video trial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎬 1. Breaking Away (1979)  - Rent it on Prime Still one of the most beloved cycling films ever made. This coming-of-age drama follows a group of working-class teens in Indiana training for the “Little 500” race. Emotional, funny, and full of heart. 🎬 2. The Flying Scotsman (2006)  - DVD Based on the true story of Graeme Obree, who built his own bike and broke the world...

Lance Armstrong: The Rise, Fall, and Lasting Impact on Cycling I used to wake up early every July morning to watch the Tour de France—especially during the years Lance Armstrong dominated the race . Watching him climb mountains, power through time trials, and raise his arms at the finish line was thrilling. He wasn't just a cyclist; he was a symbol of resilience and determination. But today, Armstrong's name is no longer just associated with yellow jerseys. It’s also tied to one of the biggest scandals in sports history. 🏆 The Unmatched Achievements—Then and Now At his peak, Lance Armstrong was unstoppable . After surviving advanced cancer, he came back stronger than ever to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. No cyclist had ever achieved that. To many, he was a miracle in motion. But that glory didn’t last. 🚨 The Doping Scandal That Shook the Sport In 2010, former teammate Floyd Landis accused Armstrong of doping. The cycling world—and th...