The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

  Many years ago, I was prescribed beta blockers to manage high blood pressure. At the time, I didn’t think much of it—I took the pills and kept riding. But something started to change. On longer training rides, I began to feel a sudden wave of fatigue . Not the kind you can push through. One moment I was doing fine, and the next, I felt like I hit a wall. The ride home? Miserable. Eventually, I brought it up with my doctor. He listened and explained something I hadn’t considered: fatigue like I was experiencing is a known side effect of beta blockers . He switched me to a different medication—and just like that, the problem disappeared. This experience taught me how important it is for cyclists—especially those of us taking heart or blood pressure medications—to understand how these drugs affect performance . What Are Beta Blockers? Beta blockers are a class of medications commonly prescribed for: High blood pressure Heart disease Certain anxiety conditions They...

As we age, joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility become more common—and for senior cyclists like me, those issues can get in the way of something we truly love: riding our bikes. That’s where acupuncture comes in. I’ve been using acupuncture off and on for decades. I first gave it a shot back in my 20s when someone told me I could throw away my blood pressure meds if I tried a few sessions. I was skeptical—but it worked. I was sold. And now, in my late 60s, I still rely on acupuncture to keep my joints moving and my body feeling good. What Is Acupuncture, Anyway? Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves placing very thin needles at specific points on the body. The goal is to restore balance, reduce pain, and improve overall health. While it’s been used in Eastern medicine for centuries, acupuncture has only recently gained more recognition in the Western medical world—and for good reason. Why Acupuncture Can Help Senior Cyclists Cycling is great ...