The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

There are days on the bike that test your legs. Others that test your lungs. And then there are days that test your survival instincts. One of those days came for me on a tour from the Texas-Oklahoma border to South Padre Island—a ride that turned into a battle against the elements, specifically the relentless South Texas heat. The day I’ll never forget was the ride from Kingsville to Raymondville. It started off hot and only got hotter. Riviera, a tiny speck of a town 20 miles outside Kingsville, was my last chance for supplies before the 60-mile haul across a scorched and treeless stretch of land. The forecast was already flirting with 110 degrees when I rolled into the gas station. I loaded up—water bottles in both cages, extras stuffed into my trailer and even tucked into my jersey pockets. I knew this stretch was going to hurt. And I was right. About 20 miles from Raymondville, I glanced at my cycling computer: 113 degrees . The sun wasn’t just bearing down—it felt like it was ...

I’ll admit it — I’m not exactly the poster child for clean eating. If Cheetos counted as a complete food group, I’d have Olympic-level nutrition. But even I know that what you eat before and after a ride matters. So I did some digging into what cyclists should be eating — and here’s what I found. 🚴‍♂️ Why Nutrition Matters for Cyclists Cycling is great exercise, but your body needs the right fuel to perform well, recover faster, and avoid feeling like you got run over by your own bike. What you eat before and after your ride can make a big difference. 🥣 What to Eat Before a Ride The goal is simple: give your body sustained energy without upsetting your stomach. That means easy-to-digest, carb-focused meals about 2–3 hours before you hop on the bike. Smart pre-ride meals: Oatmeal with fruit and nuts Greek yogurt with granola and berries Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and banana Scrambled eggs with avocado toast A fruit smoothie with yogurt and protein pow...

Updated May 2026 🥤 Can giving up diet soda really improve your cycling? It did for me. After more than 100,000 miles on the road, I made the switch — and my energy, recovery, and overall performance changed dramatically. For years, diet soda was my go-to drink. It was convenient, calorie-free, and I told myself it was helping me stay lean while keeping my thirst in check. I drank it regularly—often during the day, sometimes even during or after a ride. But about two months ago , I decided to give it up. I wasn’t expecting miracles—I just wanted to cut back on artificial sweeteners. What I didn’t expect was how quickly I noticed a boost in my cycling performance and overall energy. Let me explain. 🚱 The Hydration Myth One of the first things I realized after quitting diet soda is how much better I felt on longer rides. That’s no coincidence. While diet soda may seem hydrating, especially when cold and fizzy, it often contains caffeine , which acts as a diuretic . This...