The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Why Most Cyclists Quit After 60 — And How I’m Still Riding 150 Miles a Week at 70 Last updated: — Last updated: October 2025 — Expanded with new stories, internal links, and the complete senior cyclist toolkit. Quick Take: Most cyclists don’t quit after 60 because they lose interest. They quit because pain, fear, and slow recovery pile up—and no one shows them how to adapt. I almost quit too. By changing my pacing, putting comfort first, and treating recovery like part of the ride, I still average 150 miles a week at nearly 70 . You don’t need to ride harder. You need to ride different . Still rolling strong at nearly 70—comfort, mindset, and smarter riding keep me in the saddle. I’ve ridden more than 150,000 miles in my lifetime—and I’m still riding 150 miles a week at almost 70 years old. Here’s the truth most cyclists won’t say out loud: almost every rider I used to roll with has already quit. Not because they stopped loving the bike, b...

Last updated: October 15, 2025 Most riders you see are teachers, nurses, retirees,  parents—regular people chasing health and peace. Quick Take: A few cyclists act like jerks—just like in any hobby. Most of us? We’re normal people trying to stay safe, healthy, and sane. Tight jerseys are for comfort, not status. “Taking the lane” is usually survival, not arrogance. We are normal people just like anyone else. There’s a perception that cyclists—especially the ones in tight jerseys on pricey bikes—are snobby rule-breakers. I’ve heard it, I’ve seen it, and yes, a small minority earn the stereotype. But most riders are just regular people who fell in love with two wheels. We don’t think we’re better than anyone—we’re just trying to get home in one piece. What You See Isn’t the Whole Story Kit isn’t a flex—it’s a tool. Lycra stops chafing, wicks sweat, and keeps seams from rubbing you raw on long rides. It’s hiking boots for biking. “Expensive bikes” exist in every hobb...

Quick Take: Most high-end e-bikes are sold at bike shops—where you’ll get sizing help, warranty support, and hands-on advice. But buying online can save you hundreds if you already know what you want or you’re confident with basic assembly. Here’s the breakdown. Why Local Bike Shops Still Have the Edge Expert Fit & Setup: E-bikes are heavier and more complex than regular bikes. A shop makes sure motor settings, brakes, and battery mounts are dialed in correctly. Warranty & Service: If something goes wrong, a local mechanic can troubleshoot faster than shipping parts back and forth. Test Rides: You can feel the difference between hub-drive and mid-drive motors, throttle vs. pedal assist, and frame geometry before spending big money. Community: Many shops host group rides and service classes, especially for new e-bike owners. When Buying Online Makes More Sense You’re Mechanically Comfortable: If you can handle minor assembly, adjust derailleur...

She Looks Ready Because She Is: The Quiet Confidence Cycling Builds Last Updated: October 9, 2025 Confidence = Calm, Ready, and Earned. Quick Take: The kind of confidence cycling gives you isn’t loud. It’s built quietly—mile after mile—until hot, windy hills you once dreaded feel almost effortless. There’s something different about the kind of confidence cycling gives you. It doesn’t come from mirrors or applause — it comes from showing up, mile after mile, when nobody’s watching. I was thinking about this on my 35-mile ride today . About 25 miles in, the wind picked up, the pavement shimmered in the heat, and I hit a short hill I used to dread years ago. This time it felt… almost effortless. No tension, no bargaining — just rhythm. Days like this used to rattle me as a beginning cyclist. Now, after miles upon miles upon miles in every kind of weather and on every kind of terrain, I’ve quietly evolved into the rider this photo embodies...

Senior Cyclists Who Go to Rides Just for the T-Shirt 🚴‍♂️ Quick Take:  Some chase medals. Others just want a fresh T-shirt that says I was there. The miles fade, but the cotton lasts forever. The Shirt Riders Every event has a few — riders who show up year after year, not for the challenge, but for the tradition stitched across the front. They’re not pretending to be racers; they’re preserving memories one shirt at a time. For them, that shirt is a souvenir of belonging. I’ve met a few like that. One guy at the Hotter’N Hell registration line told me, straight-faced, “I’m just here for the t-shirt.” Maybe he meant it. Maybe he didn’t. Either way, I got it. The shirt is part of the experience — it says, “I showed up.” My Drawer of Memories I’ve got dozens of those shirts myself — single-day rides, fundraisers, long tours. Each one brings back a route, a climb, a face, a story. I ride for the road, not the cotton, but I wear those shirts proudly. They’re a reminder of all...

Last Updated: October 6, 2025 Quick Take: Riding 100 miles a week doesn’t guarantee weight loss. You can out-eat any ride if you’re not tracking calories. Hydration, intensity, and recovery habits all play a pretty big role — but the real key is maintaining a consistent calorie deficit. I get this question a lot: “I’m putting in serious miles every week. How come the scale isn’t moving?” I’ve been there. During one of my highest-mileage months, I was riding almost every day — yet my weight barely changed. The truth is, endurance cycling burns calories, but it also boosts appetite and efficiency. If you don’t track both sides of the equation, the deficit disappears fast. 1. You’re Eating Back What You Burn Even moderate rides can torch 500–1,000 calories, but it’s shockingly easy to replace that with an extra snack or two. Cyclists often reward themselves post-ride — a “recovery” meal that can be twice what’s needed. The fix? Track what you eat, at least for a week, and c...

Quick Take: When a ride flips into survival mode , stop chasing pace. Choose the most direct, safe route home, lower your effort, fuel and hydrate, manage the problem (mechanical, physical, or weather), and call for help if it isn’t improving. Finishing safely beats forcing a training plan on a bad day. Last Updated: October 12, 2025 That moment when the mission changes from training to getting home safe. Some rides start like any other—good legs, good plan, good weather. Then somewhere around mile 10… 20… or 40, the switch flips. Your training ride becomes a mission: just get home safely . Pace, speed, and ego are off the table. This is survival mode. What “Survival Mode” Really Means It’s not laziness and it’s not weakness. Survival mode is the moment you accept reality and make smarter choices. You change the route, lower the effort, manage the problem in front of you, and keep enough margin to get home in one piece. Why Rides Flip Into Survival Mode Physical: ...