The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Quick Take: I have never liked riding a bicycle in cold weather, but staying ready for an early-summer bicycle tour means I cannot simply quit riding all winter. After decades of cycling, I have learned that keeping my ears, fingers, and toes warm makes the biggest difference, and sometimes the smartest winter ride is the one I do indoors. I hate riding in cold weather. Some cyclists seem to love it. They talk about crisp air, quiet roads, and how a freezing morning makes them feel alive. I mostly just feel cold. My toes start complaining, my fingers never seem quite warm enough, and the wind somehow finds the one little opening in whatever I am wearing. If I had my way, I would probably avoid the bike every time the temperature dropped below 40 degrees. The problem is that I usually have an early-summer bicycle tour somewhere on the calendar, and I know from experience that I cannot wait until April or May to start getting ready for it. Those summer miles are built during t...

Last updated: September 27, 2026 Quickest Answer: If you only pedal around the neighborhood, your phone is fine to record the ride. For anything longer, hotter, hillier, or navigated? Use a dedicated GPS bike computer. The #1 reason: phones shut down on the handlebars from heat; bike computers are built to run there all day. I’ve been riding long distances for decades. I’ve cooked phones, drained batteries, lost GPS in the middle of nowhere, and had rides where everything went right only because my bike computer stayed rock-solid while my phone tapped out. Here’s the blunt truth from a 70-year-old cyclist: if you’re just looping the neighborhood, sure — your phone is enough. But once you add heat, distance, sun, hills, or navigation, your phone becomes the weak link. A dedicated GPS bike computer becomes the thing that keeps the day on track. Why a Phone on the Bars Is a Bad Idea for Long Rides Overheating & shutdowns: D...

Last updated: June 2026 Quick Answer: Some cycling gear is perfectly fine at the budget level — like bottles, cages, gloves, and basic shorts. But when your comfort, visibility, or safety is on the line, cheap gear can become expensive fast. After more than 155,000 miles on the bike, here’s where I believe saving money makes sense — and where it absolutely doesn’t. Every cyclist eventually faces the same question: Should you buy the budget version… or spend extra for premium? After more than 150,000 miles of riding, I’ve learned this: some cycling gear works surprisingly well at the budget level. Other gear? Going cheap can hurt your comfort, ruin long rides, or flat-out put you at risk. This isn’t about being a gear snob. I’m actually pretty practical with money. But experience teaches you where saving money is smart — and where it isn’t. ✅ Budget-Friendly Gear (Usually Safe to Save On) Cycling Shorts (Short Rides): Budget shorts are usually fine for c...

Updated May 29, 2026 🚴 Real Stories from the Road: I’ve ridden over 155,000 miles — from desert highways to mountain passes — and visibility has saved me more times than I can count. This post is not theory. It is how I try to stay seen when drivers are distracted, rushed, or simply not looking for a cyclist. When I ride in traffic or low light, I assume one thing from the start: a driver may not see me. That sounds negative, but it has probably kept me safer over the years than any one slogan ever could. A lot of close calls on a bike are really visibility problems. The driver says, “I didn’t see you.” Sometimes they mean it. Sometimes they were distracted. Either way, that does not help the cyclist. So my goal is simple: make myself harder to miss and give myself more warning when traffic is coming up behind me. After more than 155,000 miles, these are the visibility habits and products I trust most. Quick Take: The best cycling ...

Last Updated: August 31, 2025 Cycling & Air Pollution: Ride Smart, Breathe Easier Quick Answer: City riding exposes you to particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃). The risk is real—but you can cut exposure fast by choosing back-street routes, avoiding rush hour, and using a proper PM filter mask on heavy-traffic stretches. Cycling lowers traffic and your carbon footprint, but it also puts you in the exhaust lane. I’m not here to scare you off the bike—just to help you ride smarter so you keep the fitness benefits without sucking down as much junk. What’s in the air that matters to cyclists? Particulate Matter (PM2.5/PM10): tiny particles that reach deep into the lungs and stress your cardiovascular system. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): mostly from diesel; irritates airways and spikes along busy roads and intersections. Ozone (O₃): forms later in the day from other pollutants; can reduce lung function during hard...

How to Ride 100 Miles on a Bike: Mental & Physical Tips for Your First Century Ride Quick Answer: You can absolutely ride 100 miles — but not without training, strategy, and mental toughness. Break the ride into smaller chunks, fuel regularly, stay hydrated, and build mileage slowly in training. The right gear makes the difference between finishing strong and suffering through. Are you ready for a challenge? Riding 100 miles on a bicycle — often called a century ride — is no small feat. It’s a test of your endurance, mental toughness, and preparation. But here’s the good news: with the right mindset, gear, and training, finishing a century is within reach for almost any determined rider. 🚴 Mental & Physical Demands of a Century Ride Let’s be real: 100 miles is going to hurt . Fatigue, saddle discomfort, and doubts will creep in. That’s normal. The key is managing those challenges rather than letting them break you. Visualize success: Picture yourself finishing...

Last updated: August 30, 2025 Quick Answer: Most cycling headaches come from dehydration, muscle tension, and neck strain . The fastest fixes are better on-bike hydration (with electrolytes for longer rides), a dialed-in bike fit, posture and stretching, and pacing with short breaks. Cycling Headaches: Causes, Prevention, and Relief Tips I started getting headaches both during and after some of my longer rides. It concerned me enough to do some research—and what I found surprised me. I wasn’t drinking enough water. Once I started hydrating better during rides, the headaches stopped completely. Not everyone’s solution will be that simple, but many cyclists do experience headaches. If you love riding, it's frustrating when your favorite activity leaves you feeling miserable. Here's what I've learned about the most common causes—and how to fix them. 🚴‍♂️ Common Causes of Headaches After Cycling Dehydration. Cycling makes you sweat—...