The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

When you’ve spent as many hours on the road as I have, you start to notice what really gets a driver’s attention — and what doesn’t. I used to think bright jerseys and flashing taillights were just extra gear marketed to nervous riders. But I’ve changed my mind. Experience — and data — have convinced me that visibility gear isn’t optional. It’s essential. --- 🚴‍♂️ What I’ve Learned From the Road Over the years, I’ve seen patterns: When I ride in dull, muted jerseys, I get passed closer and faster. When I wear bright yellows, oranges, or lime green, cars tend to give me more room. The days I forget my rear flasher, I feel invisible until the last second. There’s one stretch of highway near Lubbock where the difference is night and day — same road, same time of day, but the jersey color changes the driver behavior. --- 📊 What the Research Says A study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention showed that flashing rear lights reduced near-misses by 33%. Another found that fluoresc...

  Cycling for Focus and Mental Clarity: How Two Wheels Can Clear Your Mind We all know cycling is great for physical health, but did you know it can also sharpen your mind and improve your ability to focus? Whether you’re struggling with concentration, battling anxiety, or just looking for a mental reset, hopping on a bike may be one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to boost your brainpower. 🚴 How Cycling Improves Mental Focus Cycling isn’t just exercise — it’s a cognitive workout. Here’s how: 1. Increases Blood Flow to the Brain When you cycle, your heart rate rises and blood flow improves — especially to your brain. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients, which can enhance memory, focus, and decision-making . 2. Puts You in a Meditative State Cycling forces you to pay attention: to your breathing, your cadence, the road ahead. This state of flow quiets distractions and trains your brain to focus on the present moment. 3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety Riding a b...

Does Cycling Make Sciatica Worse? What Cyclists Need to Know Sciatica is no joke — the sharp, radiating pain that shoots down your leg can make even simple movements feel like a challenge. If you're a cyclist dealing with sciatica, you may be wondering: Is cycling helping me or making it worse? As with most things in health and fitness, the answer isn’t black and white. Cycling can both aggravate and relieve sciatica, depending on how you ride, how your bike is set up, and how your body responds. 🚫 When Cycling Might Make Sciatica Worse Cycling can contribute to sciatic pain if certain risk factors are present: Prolonged Sitting Extended time in the saddle can compress the sciatic nerve, especially with a hard or narrow seat. Repetitive Motion Pedaling can irritate the nerve over time, especially if you already have underlying inflammation or nerve impingement. Poor Bike Fit or Posture Hunching over handlebars or riding a bike that isn’t properly fitted can put additio...

Fifty Years on Two Wheels: Why the Journey Never Ends At 69, with many thousands of miles spun under my weathered tires, some might think my cycling days are numbered. Like a well-worn book, my legs might creak a bit more, the wind whistling through a few extra silver strands in my hair. Yet, every time I find myself thinking, "Maybe this is it, " a curious thing happens. The road whispers back, and my wheels answer with a defiant hum. It's not the speed anymore, mind you. The days of chasing KOMs and blistering downhills are memories painted in gold on the canvas of time. My pace now is a conversation, a gentle dialogue with the earth, the sun, and my own aging body. There's a new kind of thrill in conquering a climb not with muscle, but with the slow, steady thrum of resilience. The scenery, though, it's never lost its power to astonish. Every sunrise is a fresh masterpiece, every winding lane a story waiting to unfold. There's a w...