Unexpected Acts of Kindness: My Bicycle Ride from Texhoma to South Padre Island

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a view of the south padre island bridge before a police escort across it in 2020
Sometimes, it's the unexpected moments that make a journey unforgettable. That was certainly the case for me when I rode my bicycle from Texhoma on the Texas Oklahoma border down to South Padre Island, Texas. The ride was a fundraiser to save a small nonprofit in Lubbock, Texas, that runs a dessert truck staffed with young people who have developmental disabilities. The 12-day ride was challenging but rewarding, and it was great to see local TV stations covering the story as it happened.

But the real surprise came when I realized that when I reached the bridge that leads to South Padre Island that bicycles are not allowed on the bridge, which was a bit deflating for me, especially since I was so close to my destination. But then an ex-policeman messaged me with a solution. He had a friend in the Port Isabel police force, the town where the bridge to South Padre starts, and he told them about my ride and its mission.

I was only 40 miles from Port Isabel when I got the message to call the policeman there. To my amazement, they were so moved by what I was doing that they offered to escort me across the 2-mile-long bridge. Even better, a state police car joined in the escort. This was truly one of the greatest honors and moments of my bicycling life.

the lead police escort across the south padre island bridge

It's moments like these that remind us of the power of social media and the kindness of strangers. I was able to complete my ride and raise much-needed funds for a great cause thanks to the support of caring people who I'd never met before. It was a humbling and inspiring experience, and one that I'll never forget.

Of course, it would have been nice if bicycles were allowed on the bridge in the first place, but sometimes rules are there for a reason. Safety is always a top priority, and I appreciated the police officers' willingness to help me cross the bridge safely.

In the end, my ride was a success, and I'm grateful for everyone who supported me along the way. It's a reminder that even when things don't go according to plan, there's always a solution if we're willing to ask for help and stay positive. And sometimes, the solution can lead to unexpected and unforgettable moments that make the journey all the more special.

These are actual pictures from that day. The first one was the view from where I met the policemen to start the ride and the others are during the 2 mile ride over.

Here is my next post:  Improving Your Cycling Performance

The police escort across the South Padre Island bridge

Location: Lubbock, TX, USA

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