The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Robots That Ride: What Cycling Droids Can Teach Us About Balance, Grit, and the Future of Two Wheels When I’m out on the road logging another 30 miles under the Texas sun, I’m usually thinking about hydration, cadence, and whether I packed enough snacks—not about robots. But recently, I stumbled across something amazing: robots are learning to ride bicycles . Not just balancing… some are performing BMX tricks, bunny hops, and urban navigation that would make any cyclist nod with respect. And it got me thinking. What can these machines teach us humans about cycling—and maybe even about life? 🤖 The Rise of the Bicycle-Riding Robot Back in the 2000s, a little bot named Murata Boy stunned the world by balancing on a bicycle all by itself. Since then, robotics engineers have been pushing boundaries. Fast-forward to today, and we have UMV (Ultra Mobility Vehicle) —a self-balancing robot that can bunny hop, track stand, and corner like a BMX pro. It's not remote controlled; it l...

Updated July 2025: I’ve often wondered what bicycling will look like 50 years from now. After all, I started riding seriously half a century ago — and while the bikes have changed, it’s not as dramatic as you might expect. Sure, frame materials have improved, and components are more efficient and lighter, but the essence of cycling — the connection between rider and road — remains much the same. That might not be true for the next 50 years. When I started researching what experts are predicting for the future of cycling, I found some surprising, even mind-blowing possibilities. If you're interested in reading more, I’ve included citations at the end of the article. Of course, predicting the future is always uncertain. But if current trends continue, here are a few changes we might see: ⚡ Electric Bikes Will Rule the Road As battery tech gets better — lighter, longer-lasting, and faster to charge — electric bikes (e-bikes) will become even more popular. Expect longer-range mod...

Last updated: February 2026 Quick Take: If you’re riding after 60, modern bike tech isn’t “fancy”—it’s how you stay safer, more comfortable, and more confident. Disc brakes, tubeless tires, radar, and e-bikes have changed what’s possible for older riders. Bikes today are not the bikes I grew up riding. And honestly? I’m grateful for that. I’m in my 70s now, and I’ve felt firsthand how modern upgrades can keep you riding longer: better stopping power , fewer flats , less joint pain , and more confidence when traffic or hills get serious. If you’re getting started (or getting back into cycling), my cornerstone guide is here: Cycling for Seniors: Smart Tips for Riders Over 60 . The 5 Upgrades That Actually Matter After 60 If you’re coming from an older bike, these are the upgrades that actually change your day-to-day riding: Hydraulic disc brakes — safer stopping in rain, grit, and long descents. Tubeless tires — fewer flats and a smoother...

The Weird World of Bikes #1: The Bicymple — Chainless, Strange, and Surprisingly Smart Last updated: December 2025 Quick Take: The Bicymple is a chain-free, direct-drive bicycle that looks like a unicycle mated with a BMX. It’s weird, surprisingly functional, and a perfect reminder that bike design hasn’t stopped evolving. This post kicks off my “Weird World of Bikes” series as I dig into unusual, inventive machines that challenge what a bicycle can be. Welcome to what may become a recurring series on this blog: The Weird World of Bikes. Over 50+ years of riding, I’ve seen everything from bamboo frames to belt-drive crank systems. But few inventions grabbed my curiosity the way the Bicymple did. This post originally ran years ago, and I’ll be honest — I thought it would fade into nothing. But lately it’s been attracting steady organic search traffic, so it deserved a fresh rewrite. If you're new here and want real cycling advice for older riders, be sure to ...