The Day I Almost Quit — And the Strangers Who Carried Me Through
In 2016, I was cycling across the country from Lubbock to Florida. I had already put in long, hot, humid days through Texas and Louisiana, and I was somewhere in the middle of central Louisiana on a road that felt like it might never end.
From the start of that day, something felt off. My legs were dead. And when your legs go, everything else starts to follow. My neck ached. My shoulders were tight. My spirit was worse. I was days into the tour and starting to feel completely isolated. Even on my worst rides, I usually know I have the physical ability to grind through — but this time, doubt started creeping into my head. The kind of doubt that whispers, “Maybe you don’t have it today.”
I had about 60 miles left to ride. I pulled into a convenience store to refill my bottles, mentally counting down how far I had to go — and not liking the number. That’s when I met them.
Two large young men — I mean big guys, built like NFL linebackers — approached me as I was walking out. In my mental state, I wasn’t sure what they wanted. I braced myself a little. But what I got instead was one of the warmest conversations I’ve ever had on the road.
They just wanted to know where I was coming from and where I was headed. Then they told me about their late brother — a touring cyclist like me. They missed him. They loved what I was doing. They told stories. We laughed. I listened. Thirty minutes passed before I even noticed my mood had changed.
As I said my goodbyes and thanked them, one of the brothers jogged back to his truck. He handed me two bottles of ice-cold water and said, “Our brother always said he never had enough water out there. Stick these in your trailer.”
I left that parking lot with something more important than hydration — I had hope again. And that water? It came in clutch later in the day.
Here’s a list of the 5 most important items I never ride without — cold water is just the beginning.
But this day wasn’t done with me yet.
The heat and humidity pressed down harder. The aches returned. Around mile 40, I started rationing that water they gave me. The convenience store I had mapped out as my next stop was nowhere to be found — permanently closed. Now I was hungry, thirsty, and running on fumes.
I had 25 miles left, and only half a bottle of water. That’s when fear started to creep in again.
I pushed on for five more miles and spotted a big tree on the side of the road. I pulled over, laid my bike down, and just sat in the shade. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. That’s when a car pulled off the road and stopped.
A woman got out.
She asked, “Is something wrong with your bike?”
I told her, “No — something’s wrong with me.”
I explained about the closed store, how I was running low on food and water, and how I was just trying to summon enough strength to finish. She looked concerned but smiled gently. “I don’t have water or snacks with me,” she said. “I’m actually running late for an appointment… but I had to stop. I’m a long-distance cyclist, too.”
She didn’t have much time, but we talked briefly. She told me about the multi-day ride she was training for along the Mississippi River. Then she gave me a gift I wasn’t expecting.
She said, “You’re in luck. About two miles from here, if you turn right at the intersection ahead and ride toward the highway, there’s a store and a restaurant.”
Back then, Google Maps wasn’t as accurate — and that place hadn’t shown up in my search. But sure enough, I followed her directions and found what felt like an oasis.
I ate. I refilled every bottle I had. The last miles into town were tough, but tolerable.
And strangely — the next day? Effortless.
If you’re reading this and you’re facing a hard ride — or a hard day — I want you to know something:
We all hit the wall.
And we all need help sometimes.
But what’s on the other side of that wall?
Sometimes, it’s the memory that keeps you going for years to come.
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 I began cycling, 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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