The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Derailleur destruction caused by a rag sucked into the drivetrain—proof that even a tiny oversight can bring down thousands of miles of planning. I trained for a year—twelve solid months of sweat, hills, and heart—for one ride that I hoped would complete my dream of cycling across the United States. I had already pedaled from Las Cruces to Lubbock and from there to Florida. All that remained was the western stretch: San Diego to Las Cruces . This tour was meant to be the final chapter of a journey years in the making. I didn’t take the challenge lightly. I logged over 6,500 miles in training , with a heavy focus on hill work, knowing the first two days would demand everything my legs had. Physically, I was ready. Mentally, I was locked in. Spiritually? Unshakable. The Start of the Tour: Strong, Steady, and Full of Purpose I drove the 1,100 miles to San Diego with anticipation and purpose. I rolled out on June 1st , feeling confident and free. In fact, I felt so good that I pushed b...

  As an avid cyclist, I’ve discovered that one of the greatest freedoms on two wheels is the ability to choose your own path — literally and figuratively. For me, that often means riding solo. There’s something deeply satisfying about setting your own pace, stopping when you want, and soaking in the scenery without distraction. One of my most memorable solo rides was in New Mexico, 45 miles from the nearest town. Just me, my bike, and the road — total solitude, total peace. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed group rides. Over the years, I’ve joined a few organized tours and met some fantastic people. Swapping stories, laughing through tough climbs, and offering encouragement during hard miles — the social side of cycling can be just as rewarding. But I’ve also experienced the downside: overly competitive groups where someone always tries to prove something. That kind of energy isn’t for me. The beauty of cycling is this: you don’t have to choose one forever. You can be a lone w...

Welcome to the Ride Hi, I’m Bruce Bussell — a 69-year-old touring cyclist from Lubbock, Texas. I may call West Texas home, but my bicycle has taken me thousands of miles beyond it. From the panhandle to the coast and through countless towns in between, the open road has become my second home. I started this blog with one goal in mind: to inspire people my age to get active and discover that you can ride farther — and feel better — than you ever imagined. This isn’t about racing or competing. It’s about freedom, movement, and discovering just how much you’re still capable of. In July 2020, I rode 962 miles in 12 blazing-hot days from Texhoma, Oklahoma to South Padre Island. Back in 2016, I pedaled 1,050 miles in 19 days from Lubbock to Pensacola, Florida. And those are just a couple of the many multi-day rides I’ve completed over the years. But I didn’t start out this way. Just a few years ago, I was 85 pounds heavier and far from fit. The bicycle changed that — and it can change yo...