The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Cycling is booming—on city streets, scenic trails, and everywhere in between. Whether you ride for fitness, fun, or daily transportation, there’s no denying the benefits of life on two wheels. But in recent years, a quiet divide has formed in the cycling world. And it's time we talk about it. 🚲 The E-Bike Divide: A Problem Within the Community E-bikes, once seen as a niche or novelty, have exploded in popularity. With that rise has come a backlash from some traditional cyclists —riders who believe e-bikes “don’t count” or that those who use them are somehow cheating. That mindset isn’t just outdated—it’s harmful. 🔋 E-Bikes Still Require Effort Let’s clear something up: E-bikes are not motorcycles. They offer pedal assistance—not a free ride. Most e-bikes require the rider to pedal in order to activate the motor. That means the rider is still engaging their muscles, still improving their cardiovascular health, and still getting exercise. In fact, studies show that e-bi...

Why Pre-Ride Nutrition Matters When it comes to cycling, having the right fuel in your body is crucial. Whether you're heading out for a casual cruise or gearing up for a long-distance challenge, your body needs energy that lasts. One of the best ways to stay fueled is with a solid pre-ride meal . And today’s spotlight recipe? The breakfast burrito —a powerhouse combination of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to keep you going strong. 🚴‍♂️ Pre-Ride Breakfast Burrito Recipe Why it works: Protein from eggs and black beans Carbohydrates from the tortilla Healthy fats from avocado Easy to digest and endlessly customizable 🛒 Ingredients 2 large eggs 2 tbsp milk Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup diced tomatoes 1/4 cup diced onion 1/4 cup shredded cheese 1 large flour tortilla 1 avocado, sliced 🍳 Instructions In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pep...

  As March rolled in with its usual gusty attitude, I knew I was in for a challenge. Riding in West Texas this time of year isn’t for the faint of heart. The wind cuts like a blade, and some days it feels like the miles stretch twice as long. But ride I did — and here’s what the month looked like on two wheels: 📊 Total Mileage for March: More than just numbers, this month taught me (again) that consistency matters more than perfect conditions. Not every ride was strong, and not every route was fast — but I showed up. And in this stage of life, that’s the win I value most. 🚴‍♂️ A Ride to Remember One particularly stubborn day, I headed out on a 52-mile loop south of Lubbock. The wind was howling — head-on for the first 20 miles — and I nearly turned around more than once. But something clicked around mile 30. My breathing slowed. My cadence evened out. The wind was still there, but it no longer felt like a wall. It felt like a dance partner. That's the moment I remember — the kind...

When Your Wheels Spin Out: Dealing with a Bike Mechanic Mess-Up I am lucky. I have a great bike shop that always does everything it can to make my rides a little better. I have had one issue in 17 years when I went in for a tune up and found out on my ride that the bike was "not right" after my first ride. I returned to the shop and talked to the mechanic and he looked at it and corrected the issue that day. He seemed to appreciate that I came back to talk to him and let him fix the issue without resorting to bad reviews or going to another shop. That is what this post is about. What should you do if you have a similar issue that I did. We trust our local bike shop with our beloved steeds, expecting them to work their magic and send them back purring like well-oiled machines. But what happens when the tune-up turns into a nightmare, and the mechanic's magic touch leaves you with a clunking, grinding, derailed disaster? Fear not, fellow pedal pushers, for there are ways to...

I really dislike the feeling I get when I get back on my bicycle after a couple of weeks off of it. The best explanation I have is that I feel kind of like an elephant on a bike. Some of you have probably had similar feelings. Read on to see what you can do to get back to the feeling of being a cyclist again. If you've taken a couple of weeks off the bike, you're probably feeling like an elephant when you first get back on. Your legs may feel heavy, your lungs may feel tight, and you may be wondering how you ever made it up that hill in the past. Don't worry, it's perfectly normal to feel this way. Your body just needs some time to get back into the swing of things. Here are a few tips to help you overcome the feeling like an elephant on your bike after a layoff: 1. Take it easy. The most important thing is to take it easy when you first get back on the bike. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start with short, easy rides and gradually increase the distance and inte...