The Rides I’ll Never Forget: How Cycling Builds Memories That Last
Some people collect trophies. Some collect stamps. Me? I collect rides. Each one is like a chapter in a long, two-wheeled novel — full of weather, grit, pain, joy, and perspective. The miles may not be written on medals or bibs, but they’re etched into my legs, my lungs, and my heart. Over the decades, I’ve ridden thousands of miles across states and seasons, but it’s not the total mileage I remember. It’s the moments. The small, quiet, sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful flashes that stay with me long after the ride is over. --- 🥵 That Ride in the Heat — Kingsville to Raymondville It was part of a long tour down to South Padre Island. I started that day in Kingsville, heading for Raymondville — about 80 miles on open road with little shade and a forecast nearing 110°F. Riviera was the last stop for water. I packed every bottle, stuffed ice in my jersey, and kept pedaling. But 20 miles from the finish, the heat became something primal. My vision wavered, the road shimmered, and for ...
