The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: December 2025 Quick Take: The best bike lock depends on how you ride. Commuters need fast and tough. Tourers need light and flexible. Road cyclists want compact strength. MTB riders need reach. E-bike riders need maximum anti-theft protection. Here are the best budget, mid-price, and premium locks for every type of cyclist. The Top Rated Bike Locks for Every Cyclist: Budget, Mid-Price, and Premium Picks As a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist who’s parked bikes everywhere from Texas to Florida, I’ve learned one truth: thieves always attack the weakest lock. This guide makes it easy to match the right lock to your riding style — and choose a budget, mid-range, or premium option that fits your bike and your reality. Why Your Lock Choice Matters Different cyclists need different locks. Your choice depends on: How long you leave the bike unattended Whether you ride in a high-theft city or low-risk area How valuable your bik...

Updated May 2026 Quick Take: You can do everything right and still watch a dream ride unravel. The work isn’t wasted. Change the goal, keep the miles, move forward. When the Big Ride Falls Apart You train hard. You log the miles, study the route, check the gear, and show up ready. Whether it’s a multi-day tour or a one-day event, you feel stronger than ever. You’re not just prepared—you’re excited. And then… it all falls apart. I know that feeling. I spent more than a year preparing for a San Diego-to-Las Cruces tour—over 6,000 miles of training rides. Thirty-four miles into day one, a rag blew off the road and straight into my rear derailleur. In seconds it snapped the mech, twisted the chain, and broke multiple spokes. The bike was done—unrideable. I stood on the shoulder staring at a dream that just evaporated because of a gust of wind. The first wave is disbelief. Then anger. Then the silence where you wonder if you wasted all that time. But the truth shows up when...

Updated October 3, 2025 🚴‍♂️ Quick Answer: Bib shorts are usually more comfortable than regular shorts because there’s no waistband digging in, the straps keep the chamois (padding) perfectly positioned, and the fit reduces rubbing on long rides. Padded cycling shorts—bib or not—protect soft tissue, spread pressure, and cut down on saddle sores. If you’ve only ridden in regular shorts, bib shorts feel like cheating. No waistband biting when you lean forward, the straps keep everything locked, and the chamois stays exactly where it should for hours. That’s “The Good.” But there’s “The Bad” (price and lifespan) and “The Ugly” (the bathroom dance and the look in a gas-station mirror). Let’s walk it through and then I’ll show three solid picks— Budget , Mid-Range (what I wear), and Premium . The Good: Why Bib Shorts Are Simply More Comfortable No waistband pain. With bibs, there’s nothing squeezing your stomach when you’re in the drops or grinding uphill. Sta...

Last Updated: March 2026 Quick Answer: For most cyclists, steady winds over 25–30 mph and gusts above 35 mph start becoming risky — especially in crosswinds, traffic, open roads, or blowing dust. As a 70-year-old West Texas cyclist with over 155,000 miles, I’ve learned that gusts, visibility, and bike control matter more than bravado . If you’ve ever stepped outside, looked at the trees bending sideways, and wondered, “Is it too windy to ride my bike today?” — the answer is sometimes yes, and a lot sooner than some cyclists want to admit. Wind doesn’t just make you slower. It can push you across the road, wear you down faster than expected, throw grit in your eyes, and turn a normal ride into one long fight just to stay in control. 🚴‍♂️ My West Texas Reality: Riding in One of the Windiest Places in America I live and ride in Lubbock, Texas — one of the windiest places in the country. If I skipped every windy day, I’d barely ride at all. So over 155,000+...

Quick Take: Cycling is one of the best low-impact exercises for seniors — it builds heart health, balance, and confidence while protecting your joints. Start easy, ride consistently, and enjoy the freedom. Last updated: September 23, 2025 Cycling brings freedom, health, and community at any age. Seniors Riding Bikes: A Joyful Journey of Health and Freedom Cycling isn’t just transportation — it’s freedom, health, and connection in a single motion. For seniors, riding a bike offers rare leverage: cardio that’s gentle on joints, balance training that actually sticks, and a hobby that still feels like play. Why Cycling Still Matters as We Age Low impact, real results: You build endurance and leg strength without pounding your knees and hips. Balance & confidence: Regular rides sharpen proprioception and reduce “fear of falling.” Mood & clarity: The rhythm of pedaling works like moving meditation. Freedom of the Open Road ...

Why the Bicycle World Reigns Supreme Last updated: November 6, 2025 Quick Take: Cycling blends unmatched freedom, real connection to your surroundings, genuine health benefits, a welcoming community, and a tiny environmental footprint—no gas required. The humble bicycle offers something no car, bus, or train can match—true freedom. Whether you’re a casual rider or a lifelong tourer, two wheels open doors most people never see. Freedom of Movement Skip traffic and glide past gridlock. Cycle through city streets, country lanes, or gravel paths without being boxed in. Go door-to-door without parking stress or fuel costs. Connection with Nature Feel the wind shifts, smell the rain, and hear the road under your tires—cycling puts you inside the landscape, not behind glass. From forests to coastlines, the ride becomes part of the place. Health and Well-Being Cardio that strengthens your heart, builds endurance, and tones muscles—wi...