When the Route Changes You: A Ride Through Lubbock I Didn’t Expect

Most of my bike rides follow familiar paths. I know where the wind will hit, where the traffic is lightest, and even where the pavement is smoothest. I ride through the Texas Tech campus almost daily — but usually along its quieter edges. I avoid the crowded walkways and stick to my set plan.

But today wasn’t one of those days.

Off Rhythm from the Start

The ride was supposed to be a simple 20-miler. I’d had a rough morning, and even though the weather wasn’t especially hot, everything felt off. My neck hurt, my mood was sour, and I just didn’t feel like myself. I almost turned back early.

Instead, I kept pedaling. And somewhere on the north end of town, I made a subtle shift — one of those unconscious choices that ends up changing the day.

Back Through Downtown — and a Surprise

Coming home, I usually swing around the outskirts of downtown Lubbock. It’s a quiet area, not much traffic, not much to see. But today, I rolled straight down Broadway — that old brick road with a bike lane that rattles your fillings if you’re not careful.

I hadn’t ridden this stretch in a while, and I was surprised. The city’s been working on revitalizing the area, and it shows. A brand-new police station, courthouse, and city buildings have gone up. The streets are cleaner. There’s even a shiny new parking garage.

There was something about riding through a part of my city that’s trying to come alive again that helped me come alive a bit too.

Right into the Heart of Campus

Instead of looping back on the edge of campus like I always do, I stayed on Broadway and rode straight into the center of Texas Tech. I’ve known that route forever, but this time it felt different. I slowed down. I wasn’t chasing miles or sweating my pace. I was just… riding.

New art installations and updated spaces gave me a reason to pause and just take it all in. Even the usual landmarks — like the Will Rogers statue — felt fresh in that moment. Maybe because I was seeing them with a different mindset.

When You Let the Ride Guide You

By the time I made it home — along a route I don’t usually take — I felt like a different person than when I left. My body was more relaxed. My mood had softened. I sat down for lunch with a clear head and a sense that the world was a little less heavy than it had been just hours before.

Sometimes it’s not about the miles. Sometimes the road heals you not because of how far you go, but because of what you let it show you when you’re finally willing to go a different way.

Your Turn

Have you ever taken a detour on a ride — not just in direction, but in spirit? Leave a comment and tell me about the ride that surprised you.