The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

There's nothing quite like the feeling of a bike ride on a beautiful day. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the freedom of the open road. If you're looking for a way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and explore new places, then a bike ride is the perfect activity for you. In this blog post, I will discuss everything you need to know to plan your perfect bike ride. We'll cover topics such as choosing the right bike, planning your route, packing your essentials, staying safe on the road, and more. Choosing the Right Bike The first step in planning your bike ride is to choose the right bike for your needs. If you're just starting out, you may want to consider a hybrid bike. Hybrid bikes are a good all-around bike that can be used for both road riding and off-road riding. If you're planning on doing a lot of road riding, then you may want to consider a road bike. Road bikes are designed for speed and efficiency, and they're perfect for long-d...

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 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...

Recently, I experienced a shift in my mindset that has me both excited and curious. As a cyclist, I have always relied on setting goals to motivate myself to work harder and push myself further. In the past, I've successfully completed challenging tours from Lubbock, Texas to Pensacola, Florida, and from the border of Oklahoma down to South Padre Island, Texas. However, in 2021, I began experiencing unexplained health issues that have made it difficult for me to train for my next goal - a challenging 4 day tour through the high mountains of northern New Mexico . Despite my efforts, my health issues persist, and I've come to accept that I may not be able to complete this tour. I have always been trying to find joy in the journey. Surprisingly, this realization has brought me a newfound sense of finding joy in the journey of cycling. Without the pressure of a specific goal, I've been able to simply ride for the pleasure of it. I've found that the stress I put on myself to...

As someone who was once a marathon runner but had to switch to cycling due to a knee injury which resulted in a rebuilt knee, I can say that cycling has been one of the best decisions I've made for my fitness and overall well-being. Not only is it a great low-impact exercise that's gentle on my joints, but it has also opened up a whole new world of exploration and adventure through long-distance touring. Here are some of the benefits of touring cycling: Exploring More of the World: One of the main advantages of touring cycling is the ability to see so much more of the world than you can when running. When you're on a bike, you can cover much greater distances in a day than you can on foot, allowing you to explore more of your surroundings and experience different landscapes and cultures. Cover More Ground: With a bike, you can travel farther and cover more ground than walking or running, allowing you to see more of the world in a shorter amount of time. This means that you...

Cycling is a versatile and enjoyable activity that has been around for centuries. It can be used for transportation, recreation, and sport. Cycling is an excellent mode of transportation that is healthy, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. In this post, we will dive deeper into the benefits of cycling and explore why a bicycle is your best friend. Health Benefits: Cycling is a great form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. Cycling regularly can improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen your muscles, and help you lose weight. It is also a low-impact exercise that is easy on your joints, making it an excellent option for people of all ages and fitness levels. Cycling has been shown to reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that cycling to work was associated with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of developing heart disease. Cyclin...

Long distance cycling can be a strange hobby, according to some. It's common for people to ask me why I ride 80 to 100 miles a day, day after day, often solo with just my bike and possibly a trailer. To understand why, I have to go back to my childhood in the 1960s. Back then, parents were less worried about their kids leaving the house, and my friends and I preferred to explore on our bikes rather than just hanging out at a neighbor's house. I'll never forget the feeling of adventure, discovering new places that we wouldn't have been able to see without our bikes. Now, over 55 years later, that sense of adventure still thrills me. I love exploring new places on my bike, and I can ride hundreds of miles to do so. It's a love that has stayed with me all these years. If you're a fellow rider, I'd love to hear why you ride. And if you're not a rider but want to be, feel free to join in the conversation as well. I'll be sharing tales of the road, giving ...