The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Even Cyclists Have Bad Days: Tales from the Two-Wheeled Underworld Ah, cycling. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the smug satisfaction of leaving all those car fumes in your dust (okay, maybe not all of them). It's like therapy on two wheels, right? WRONG. Because even us lycra-clad warriors of the road have our off days. Days where the universe seems to be personally conspiring against our spokes, and the only scenery we see is the inside of a ditch. Exhibit A: The Great Chain Debacle You're cruising along, feeling like Lance Armstrong reincarnated. Then, CLANG . Your bike shudders, your pedal goes rogue, and suddenly you're standing there like a confused flamingo, chain wrapped around your ankles like a vengeful serpent. Pro tip: Grease is your friend. And invest in a multi-tool, because let's be honest, you'll need it. Exhibit B: The Weather Warfare You wake up, birds are chirping, sky is blue. Perfect cycling weather, right? Wrong again. By the time...

Why Cyclists Shave Their Legs: A Veteran Rider Weighs In Welcome, fellow cycling enthusiasts, to another deep dive into the quirky and fascinating world of life on two wheels. Today, we're tackling a question that always seems to pop up—why do cyclists shave their legs? If you've ever watched a pace line fly by and noticed all those shiny, hairless limbs, you may have wondered: is it really about speed, or is something else going on? Let’s break it down—with a few insights (and laughs) from an average old guy who’s been pedaling for over 50 years. 🚴‍♂️ The Performance Argument The Claim: Shaved legs reduce wind resistance and make cyclists faster. The Old Guy’s View: I call B.S. on this one—for 99% of riders. Sure, maybe if you're racing in the Tour de France. But I’ve seen guys with shaved legs who’d gain more speed by trimming their bellies than their leg hair. Once, I overheard a guy at my bike shop debating a seat post that was a few ounces lighter. I told him,...