Caught in the Storm: The Night I Thought I Might Die in Bowie, Texas
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| That is the actual storm and I was right in the middle of it. |
🚴 Caught in the Storm: The Night I Thought I Might Die in Bowie, Texas
In 2016, I set off on a memorable bicycle tour from Lubbock, Texas, to Pensacola, Florida. The first two days were intense, with each ride pushing 100 miles. By day three, things had slowed down a bit as I pedaled from Seymour to Bowie. The ride itself was uneventful, but what happened that night would be burned into my memory forever.
Decision Time in Bowie
Once in Bowie, I grabbed a bite at a local restaurant and mulled over whether to get a hotel or camp out. The forecast showed a slight chance of rain the next morning around 9:30, so I figured I had time to sleep under the stars. I headed over to Bowie High School and camped out under a canopy near a small lake — a quiet, shaded area with a picnic table and enough room to set up my tent.
The breeze felt amazing after riding in over 100-degree heat. I left the tent’s top cover open to let it flow through. It felt peaceful. I fell asleep quickly.
Thunder, Lightning, and Terror
That peace shattered when pounding rain suddenly slammed the metal canopy above me. Almost simultaneously, a bolt of lightning cracked nearby, followed instantly by an ear-splitting clap of thunder. Within seconds, the wind-driven rain was blowing sideways into my tent. I scrambled to protect my phone in a plastic bag, just in case I needed it — and it turns out I did.
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed nonstop. I was lying in a tent, under a metal roof, next to a lake, in an increasingly intense thunderstorm. I was soaked. I was scared. I knew I had to act.
Calling for Help
I dialed 911.
I could barely hear the operator over the storm, but I managed to tell her where I was and asked for help. Minutes later, a police officer pulled into the school parking lot and started honking his horn. I sprinted across 50 yards of open field, praying I wouldn’t be struck by lightning. Once inside the patrol car, I learned how serious the situation was — roads were flooding fast, and he had to detour because one crossing was already underwater. He told me I was lucky. The spot where I had been camped was now taking on most of the runoff.
The Coldest Lobby Ever
The officer dropped me off at the police station, where I spent the night shivering in the lobby under a blasting air conditioner. The woman at the desk told me she kept the A/C cold to help her stay awake. It worked for me, too — I was soaked, wide awake, and freezing. No towel was offered — they were reserved for inmates.
After the Storm
At dawn, another officer drove me back to my campsite. The damage was bad. My trailer had tipped over, and everything inside was soaked. I spent the morning hanging my clothes and gear across the canopy rafters to dry in the warm breeze. I still had to ride that day — tired, cold, and sleep-deprived.
Later, I read that over 5,000 lightning strikes had hit the area during that storm. Based on how close some of them felt, I believe it.
Lessons Learned
That night taught me a lot — about weather, about fear, and about being prepared. I’m thankful I trusted my gut and called for help. I’m grateful for the kind officers who got me out of danger. And I’ll never again underestimate the power of nature when I’m out on tour.
Another Story from the Road
The Cycling Gear I Personally Trust
If you have been reading The Old Guy Bicycle Blog for very long, you know how important safety, visibility, and health are to me. My goal is not simply to ride farther. It is to stay healthy and safe enough to continue riding for as many years as possible.
The products listed below are not random recommendations or products I selected simply because they are available on Amazon. They are products I personally use on my own rides and have trusted through thousands of miles of cycling.
Some of the exact models have changed since my ride through Bowie toward Florida, but my approach has remained the same: make myself easy for drivers to see, protect myself from the sun, watch the traffic approaching from behind, and use equipment that helps me return home safely.
Bright Cycling Helmet
A brightly colored helmet places visibility at the highest point on my body, making it easier for drivers to see me above parked vehicles, roadside vegetation, and other obstacles.
View a bright cycling helmet on Amazon
Colorful High-Visibility Cycling Jersey
I prefer colorful jerseys that stand out against the road and surrounding landscape. A cyclist wearing bright colors is much easier for a driver to notice than someone dressed entirely in black or dark gray. I buy Bergrisar because I like the length. Not all jerseys have the length that this one does. I also like the reflective strip along the back bottom of the jersey.
View my colorful cycling jersey on Amazon
Garmin Varia Rear Radar
The Garmin Varia alerts me when vehicles are approaching from behind. It is especially helpful on rural roads, where I may not hear an approaching vehicle because of wind noise or road conditions. There are updated choices such as one that has a camera. The link below is to the one I own.
View the Garmin Varia rear radar on Amazon
Take A Look Rearview Mirror
My Take A Look mirror works together with the Garmin Varia. The radar alerts me that something is approaching, and the mirror allows me to see the vehicle and judge its position on the road.
View the Take A Look cycling mirror on Amazon
Cateye Front Safety Light
I use a flashing front light during the day, not only when riding at night. A daytime light can help drivers notice a cyclist sooner, particularly at intersections or when a vehicle is preparing to turn across the cyclist’s path. There are lots of choices but I have had mine since 2014 and it is still reliable.
View the Cateye front light I use on Amazon
UV-Protective Arm Sleeves
After spending decades riding beneath the West Texas sun, I take sun protection seriously. UV sleeves protect my arms without requiring me to continually reapply sunscreen during a long ride. The ones I use are long enough to cover from armpits to my gloves. Not all arm sleeves are long enough.
View my UV-protective arm sleeves on Amazon
Bright Cycling Socks
Bright socks may seem like a small detail, but the constant motion of a cyclist’s feet can attract a driver’s attention. I consider them another useful part of my overall visibility system.
View the bright cycling socks I wear on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend cycling products that I personally use or have firsthand experience with. Thank you for reading and for supporting The Old Guy Bicycle Blog.
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