The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Why a High-Quality Bike Is One of the Smartest Investments You'll Ever Make My Specialized Diverge has carried me well over 20,000 miles Because breaking down 40 miles from the nearest town isn’t just frustrating — it’s dangerous. After thousands of miles on the road, I’ve learned the hard way that quality matters. A dependable bike isn't a luxury — it's your lifeline on tour. Here’s why spending a little more up front will save you time, money, and breakdowns in the long run. 🚲 A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way If you're planning a multi-day bike tour , you already know how important it is to have a reliable ride. But let me tell you — when you're 40 miles from the nearest town and your frame cracks or your derailleur fails, it's not just an inconvenience. It’s a problem that can leave you stranded. Let me take you back to early 2020. I was out on a training ride when the chainstay on my steel-framed Specialized AWOL cracked. No crash, no warning — ju...

🚴 Real Stories from the Road: I’ve ridden over 150,000 miles across deserts, mountains, and backroads—and I can tell you: some bikes become more than just bikes. They become part of you. The bicycle. A simple machine, sure—but for many of us, it’s also a key to something deeper. It’s freedom. Movement. Escape. Joy. And sometimes, if you're lucky, one bike comes along that feels like it knows you . That’s what I call a bicycle soul mate . What Is a Bicycle Soul Mate? It’s not about the brand, the material, or even the price tag. It’s about connection. Your bicycle soul mate feels like it was built for you. The geometry fits. The handling feels natural. The saddle somehow just works. Every crank rotation feels like a conversation—effortless, familiar, and true. 🔧 My Own Story: The Soul Mate That Broke—and the One That Grew on Me My old Specialized AWOL was that kind of bike. A steel touring rig that carried me across states, into storms, and through moments of jo...