ta rhodes | Reedsy Discovery

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6 months ago

EDITOR NEEDED: 73k words in travel, sports (cycling), and self-help categories. Comment or message to discuss. Summary: For fans of Rich Roll's Finding Ultra, Jedidiah Jenkins' To Shake the Sleeping Self, and Robert M. Pirsig's classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, The Lost Art of Searching is an inspiring, intimate memoir from T.A. Rhodes—a man determined to redefine his life on his own terms. At 36, Rhodes answered a deeper calling, leaving a thriving music career in Los Angeles to study Public Policy at Columbia University. Two years later, faced with career uncertainty, a painful breakup, and mental fatigue, he sought a reset. He boarded a flight to Milan and embarked on a 45-day solo cycling odyssey across Italy and Portugal. Interlaced with vivid portrayals of some of the region's most exciting cycling locales, Rhodes’ journey is a montage of unforgettable experiences: kayaking around Capri, hugging the sharp turns of Positano on an 800cc café racer, pedaling over the rain-soaked stone roads of Siena, and exploring the rolling hills of Lucca and Florence with friends. He produces a music video with a stranger, sings karaoke with Aussie rugby players in Sorrento, shares whiskey with musicians in Bologna, narrates stories at sunset in Montepulciano, explores the ruins of Pompeii, finds romance in Rome, parties with pirates in Lisbon, and endures a bike crash in a nearby park. Upon his return to the U.S., Rhodes must confront the harsh realities he had left behind. The Lost Art of Searching is more than a travel memoir; it's a candid exploration of life’s transitions, painted with humor, vulnerability, and insight. Featuring a cast of colorful characters—from fellow travelers and local baristas to Rhodes' closest friends back home—it reveals that no breathtaking coastline compares to the beauty of authentic human connection. Accompanied by original photography, Rhodes’ tale transcends adventure—it’s a meditation on ambition, change, and resilience. He offers a powerful perspective on facing anxiety, discovering self-worth, and embracing life’s impermanence. Ultimately, The Lost Art of Searching reminds us that the true journey isn’t about finding answers but embracing the moments and relationships that guide us forward, one pedal at a time. Title: The Lost Art of Searching: Embracing Uncertainty, Discovering Intrinsic Value, and Charging Through Life One Ride at a Time Categories: Travel & Adventure Memoir - Solo Travel Sports - Cycling Self-help - Mindset Word count: ~73k Creative: original photography Website: https://tawrites.com/ Email subscribe: https://tawrites.com/#subscribe