The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Updated August 5, 2025 Quick Take: After a precancerous skin scare, I started wearing these UV arm sleeves on every ride. They're cool, comfortable, and have become essential gear in my long-distance cycling setup. These Arm Sleeves May Have Saved My Skin I’ve spent thousands of hours on the bike in the sun. Like many cyclists, I didn’t give much thought to sun exposure—until recently. My wife encouraged me to go to a free skin check clinic. That visit may have changed my life. The doctor found a suspicious spot on my arm. A follow-up with a dermatologist confirmed it was precancerous and could develop into something more serious if left untreated. That was my wake-up call. The dermatologist told me two things: wear sunscreen and cover up when I ride. I tried, but sunscreen on hairy arms was sticky, messy, and didn’t last long in the Texas heat. That’s when I found these: OutdoorEssentials UV Sun Protection Arm Sleeves . I ordered a set, wore them on a ride, and hav...

Updated August 3, 2025 Thinking about going tubeless for your touring bike? Here’s what I’ve learned after thousands of miles — the good, the bad, and the gear I trust to make it work. By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog As an avid cyclist who’s been touring for many years, I’ve experimented with just about every piece of gear you can imagine.  These are the bib shorts I trust now —comfortable enough for 60+ mile days and built to last.  But few changes have had a bigger impact on my riding experience than switching to tubeless tires. 🛞 Fewer Flats, More Fun Since switching to tubeless tires, the number of flats I’ve had has dropped dramatically. I used to carry multiple spare tubes and a patch kit everywhere I went—now I rarely worry about punctures at all. The sealant inside tubeless tires works quickly to plug small holes as they happen, which has saved me from countless roadside repairs and kept my rides rolling. I use Stan’s NoTubes Tire Sealant and have for ye...