The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Updated May 2026 Quick Take: Age changes how you ride—but not why you ride. The miles still matter, even when they look different.  I don’t ride like I did in my 30s. I’m slower. I recover a little differently. I warm up a little longer. But here’s the thing: I feel the same. The same ambition still burns. The same grit still shows up. And I’m still out here riding—maybe not racing the clock, but definitely not backing down. My bike has taught me a lot over the years, but maybe the most important lesson is this: getting older doesn’t mean giving up who you are. You just learn to meet the road differently. In my younger years, I was all speed and fire—push harder, go faster, prove something. Now, I ride longer, think deeper, and savor the miles more. I don’t have to prove anything anymore. That doesn’t mean I don’t push myself; I just do it with more patience, more wisdom, and a whole lot more gratitude. What the Saddle Taught Me Patience: Strength takes time. ...

What Age Should You Quit Cycling? Last Updated:  July 11, 2026 Quick Answer You don’t stop cycling because of a birthday. You stop when the balance tips—when pain, risk, or fear outweigh the joy. For most riders, that moment comes later than they think, especially with smarter pacing, better gear, and e-bikes. It’s important to me that you know I consider myself a very ordinary cyclist. I’m not especially fast or gifted. If I’ve learned anything after more than 50 years and 155,000 miles on a bike, it’s that ordinary people can accomplish far more than they think. But the reminders stack up. A knee replacement from eleven years ago has started to complain. Skin cancer cut from my leg left a scar that isn’t just cosmetic. And earlier this year, colon trouble led to three colonoscopies in seven months—one a five-hour ordeal where Plan B meant removing part of my colon and waking up with a bag. I got lucky. Plan A worked. But it was sobering...

You might think spending $2,000 on a bicycle is outrageous. But have you priced out a heart procedure lately? I'm 69 years old, and I say this with humility, not pride—but people are often surprised when they find out. "You do not look 69," they tell me. I think a big part of that is cycling. It hasn’t just kept me moving. It’s kept me young . My wife says most 59-year-olds don’t walk like I do. She sees people shuffle through the store, leaning on carts, or struggling to stand up from a chair. Meanwhile, I ride my bike 30 to 50 miles a day, walk with confidence, and still play basketball when I feel like it. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying cycling will make you feel like you're 20 again. I’m still 69. I have aches and pains, just like anyone my age. But it could be a whole lot worse if I hadn’t been a cyclist. It hasn’t made me ageless—it’s just helped me age a whole lot better. That kind of vitality didn’t come from a magic pill or a clean eating f...

Updated July, 2025 By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog Smart Clothing for Older Cyclists: Ride Longer, Stay Comfortable, Be Seen When people search for smart cycling clothes, they often mean tech-enhanced gear — LED vests, GPS-enabled wearables, or AI-powered jerseys. But let’s be honest: most of us over 60 don’t need a flashing jacket to enjoy a good ride. After five decades on the bike, I’ve figured out what “smart” really means — gear that’s comfortable, visible, breathable, and made for the way we actually ride. Here's what works for me — and what doesn’t. As the years (and miles) pile up, I’ve become a lot pickier about what I wear on the bike. In my younger days, an old cotton T-shirt and gym shorts might’ve been “good enough.” Not anymore. Now, every piece of gear I put on has to earn its place. I look for comfort, breathability, visibility — and let’s be honest, something that doesn’t leave me freezing at mile 10 or sweating buckets at mile 30. So when I talk about “sm...

Last Updated:  February 28, 2026 Last Updated:  February 28, 2026 Quick Answer Age alone does NOT determine whether a parent can safely ride a bike. With the right setup, the right riding environment, and realistic adaptations, many adults ride comfortably into their 70s, 80s — and beyond. I’m a 70-year-old cyclist and I ride about 150 miles a week . I’ve seen older riders thrive, and I’ve seen a few struggle — not because of age, but because nobody helped them adapt. Most adult children aren’t asking this question because they want to stop their parent from riding. They’re asking because they’re afraid of one thing: a fall . That’s fair. Falls matter more as we age — and prevention becomes everything. 🧓 How Age Actually Impacts Cycling Ability Aging affects every rider differently, but there are a few predictable changes that can influence bike safety: Reduced balance: the #1 i...