The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

🚲 Quick Take: You’ve got the right-of-way. The car has a stop sign. But one thing has changed—and it’s making intersections more dangerous than ever for cyclists. One of the most dangerous places for a cyclist to encounter a car is at an intersection. And I’m not just talking about big, busy intersections with traffic lights. In fact, I’ve come to believe those are actually safer. At least you know who has the green, who’s turning, and where to expect trouble. But those smaller intersections—especially the ones where you have the right-of-way and the car is stopped at a stop sign —they’re tricky. I’ve had far too many close calls in those exact situations. A few years ago, there was one thing I always relied on: eye contact . I’d approach an intersection and glance straight through the driver’s window. If the driver turned their head and made eye contact with me, I’d feel a little better. It wasn’t a guarantee, but at least I knew they saw me. Of course, I still rode...

Last Updated: March 2026 Most cyclists obsess over bikes, tires, and gear—but the tool that actually keeps those tires working properly often gets ignored. A good cycling floor pump might be the most underrated piece of equipment in a rider’s garage. Tires slowly lose pressure every week. Ride with tires that are even 10–15 PSI too low and you’ll notice it immediately—slower rolling, sluggish handling, and more risk of flats. After riding more than 155,000 miles , one thing I’ve learned is simple: the easier it is to pump your tires, the more likely you are to keep them properly inflated. And that’s where many cyclists make a mistake. They assume any pump will work the same. It doesn’t. Different bikes require different pumping styles because their tires use very different pressures and air volumes. Why I Use a High-Volume Floor Pump Personally, I use the Topeak JoeBlow Mountain II Floor Pump . Most of my training and touring tires r...

Last Updated: December 2025 Quick Answer: E-bike sales are exploding among senior riders because they offer comfort, safety, and real power without strain. New step-through electric bikes—especially affordable online options like Cybervelo —give older cyclists the ability to ride farther, climb hills, and stay active without paying $2,500+ at a bike shop. If you can handle basic assembly, buying online saves hundreds of dollars. Why Seniors Are Turning to E-Bikes in Record Numbers Seniors aren't “slowing down”—they’re adapting. In 2025–2026, the fastest-growing age group in e-bike sales is riders over 60. And honestly, it makes perfect sense. A modern e-bike gives older riders freedom, fitness, and confidence without the strain that keeps many people off traditional bicycles. Hills become easy. Pedal assist erases the dread of steep climbs. Headwinds aren’t deal-breakers. Even a gentle assist makes tough wind days manageable. Longer rides feel possible ...

Last Updated: June 15, 2026 As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t affect your price. Quick Take: Cycling is fantastic for fitness, but it won’t magically melt fat. I once rode 5,000 miles in a year and still weighed 230 pounds. The real key to losing serious weight wasn’t more miles — it was understanding my daily calorie needs, tracking what I ate, and using a few simple tools that kept me honest. Here’s exactly how I finally dropped the weight and kept it off. A lot of riders secretly believe this: “If I just ride my bike enough, the weight will fall off.” I used to believe it too. I was a 5,000-mile-a-year cyclist who still stepped on the scale and saw 230 pounds staring back at me. That was the year I finally had to admit the uncomfortable truth: riding more miles wasn’t my problem. My eating was. Once I stopped treating cycling like a magic fat-burning machine and started treating my body like a real math problem, ev...

Updated August 21, 2026 Quick Take: You don't need expensive gear to ride safely and comfortably. These are the budget items I actually use on my long-distance rides — durable, affordable, and truly worth the money. People waste a fortune on cycling gear they don’t need. After 150,000+ miles on the bike, I’ve learned that budget gear can be just as good — as long as you pick the right stuff. Here are the best low-cost items I trust on every ride. 1. Budget Rearview Mirror The Take-A-Look mirror is still the most important cheap piece of gear I own. It has saved my life more than once — including the time a distracted driver drifted into the bike lane and I bailed just in time. Budget Pick: Take-A-Look Rearview Mirror Small, light, durable, and works with glasses or helmet straps. I wear mine every ride. 2. Budget Headlight & Taillight Set You don’t need a $200 lighting setup. A reliable, rechargeable light set under $30 can make you visible day or ...

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 Quick Answer: Tubeless tires are worth it for many long-distance cyclists because they can dramatically reduce flats, allow lower tire pressure for more comfort, and make many small punctures fixable without removing the wheel. They are not perfect, and they do require sealant maintenance, but after switching to tubeless, I am not going back to tubes. A few years ago, I made the switch to tubeless tires, and I can say without hesitation: I love them. As a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist with more than 155,000 miles behind me, I have fixed enough flats on the side of the road to last a lifetime. There is nothing fun about sitting in the heat, fighting tire levers, pulling out a tube, and watching your ride fall apart because of one tiny piece of wire or glass. Since switching to tubeless, my flats have dropped dramatically. I still carry a tube just in case, and you should too, but I almost never need it anymore. Here is t...

Last Updated: May 31, 2026 Quick Take: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is the stiff, achy feeling that shows up 12–72 hours after a hard or new effort on the bike. It’s caused by micro-tears in your muscles as they adapt to new stress. For cyclists, DOMS can mean heavy legs, altered pedaling form, and disrupted training. The good news? Smart recovery and consistency reduce its impact over time. 🚴 My Worst Ride With DOMS A couple of years back, I learned the hard way just how much DOMS can derail a ride. I had knocked out a set of steep hill repeats—more climbing than I’d done in months. I felt proud finishing them, but the next morning my legs were on fire. Still, I saddled up for a planned 40-mile ride. Bad move. From the first pedal stroke, my quads felt like concrete. I struggled to hold even my easy pace, and by mile 20 my form was falling apart. Instead of a solid training day, it turned into a slow grind home and two more days off the bike than I’d planned. Lesson...

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick Answer: Hard training and major weight loss can make your blood pressure medication too strong. If you start getting dizzy when standing, don’t ignore it — get real numbers with a home monitor and talk with your doctor. Support This Blog: If my writing helps you ride smarter and stay healthier, using the affiliate links in this post is the easiest way to support the work I do — at no extra cost to you. When Training Hard Backfires in a Strange Way This past summer I was in the strongest shape I’ve been in for decades. I was logging long miles, dropping weight, and feeling powerful on the bike. Then something bizarre started happening: every time I stood up, the world tilted. I’d have to grab a chair and steady myself. Not occasionally — every time . That’s when I knew something was off. The Hidden Culprit: Blood Pressure Medication I’ve been on blood pressure meds for years. Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide kept me stead...

Quick Answer: Cyclists can get shin splints from overtraining, poor bike fit, or cleat setup. Backing off intensity, adjusting your fit, and adding recovery tools like compression sleeves can help you ride pain-free. Cycling and Shin Splints: Why They Happen and How to Stop Them Cycling is supposed to be low-impact — and most of the time it is. But every now and then, I’ve felt a dull ache creep up the front of my shins, especially during heavier training weeks. The first time it happened, I thought shin splints were just a “runner’s thing.” Turns out, cyclists aren’t immune. My Experience With Shin Splints on the Bike Every so often, when I get into a groove and push the miles or intensity a little too hard, my shins let me know. That sharp, nagging discomfort tells me I’ve crossed the line into overtraining. These days, when I feel it start, I immediately back off — fewer hills, easier cadence, maybe even an extra rest day. Within a few days, the pain usually eases up. It’s a...

Updated on July 18, 2026 🚴‍♂️ Quick Tip: Neck pain can ruin your ride before it even begins. A good night’s sleep—with proper neck support—might be the most important part of your training plan. How One Pillow Fixed My Neck Pain—and Saved My Rides For months, I’d wake up every morning with neck pain that didn’t just fade—it followed me onto the bike. No matter how well I ate, how consistent my rides were, or how carefully I warmed up, the pain was always there. And when your neck hurts on every ride, it messes with everything: your form, your breathing, your focus, and your mood. I thought it was just part of getting older or riding so much. But then I started reading about how your sleeping position—and especially your pillow—can cause or worsen cervical pain. I figured it was worth a shot. 🎯 The Pillow That Changed Everything After reading reviews, I ordered this ergonomic cervical neck pillow made by DONAMA. It looked strange—almost like a flower—but it had ove...

Quick Take: A good repair stand changes everything. From cleaning your chain to adding tubeless sealant, it saves your back, keeps the bike stable, and makes every repair faster and safer. Last updated: January 11, 2026 - Added E-Bike Repair Stands Options Why I’ll Never Wrench Without a Repair Stand I’ve been cycling for decades, and one of the smartest purchases I ever made wasn’t a bike or a fancy set of wheels — it was a simple repair stand. Mine folds up and lives in the corner of my garage, and I use it constantly. I use it to clean my bike, refresh tubeless sealant, lube my chain, dial in shifting, and handle the small adjustments that keep a bike quiet and safe. If you do your own maintenance — even occasionally — a repair stand is one of the best upgrades you can make. Why a Stand Matters (Especially for Older Riders) Saves your back: No more crouching, kneeling, or flipping the bike upside down. Rock-solid stability: The bike stays pu...