Today was the last day of our bike ride & by the end of it I had cycled 45miles & been shuttled 150miles across the state line to El Paso TX. Our journey done, no peddling tomorrow- my bike will be boxed & will have to look elsewhere for tomorrow’s adventure!
The day started in the normal way. Up at first light, 6:30am, a high calorie breakfast & prepared to ride. Jeff Sharp was already up & had shuttled two Dividers. Until five years ago he had lived Washington state but encouraged here by his partner & a desire for more sunshine/ less rain. In its past, Hachita had been a railway town, then a mining town but no more. Now, As Hachita’s new resident entrepreneur he is working to discover how the place can be reinvented/reenergised.
Jeffery Sharp – Ranch House & shuttle service provider
His Ranch House provides Dividers accommodation, his shuttle service takes them on to airports, etc. and now has a deal with the locals on the Community Centre – he tells me he can do what he wants to the building providing he pays.
At 65, he mentioned I was oldest Divide Rider to come through this year. Not a bad position to hold & is quite possible since no one i met has seen anyone my side of 60. Thankfully, Jeff saved me from another ride through the wet clay & ferried me back to the Community Centre his pickup – that wasn’t easy either!
Divide Riders completing the whole ride have been averaging two per day – Today there were eight.
Five keen Dividers – set for the last 45 miles
(Three had already started off)
The ride was flat with no appreciable hills -,just the normal headwind to contend with.
Decision time for some: Antelope Wells or the Columbus Alternate
Joao, 20 miles out from Antelope Wells
Dusty & Miles: 2nd breakfast at a deserted farm
As Dusty, Miles, Joao & me arrived at Antelope Wells, Karey Todd & her fella greeted us each with a bottle of cold beer. JOB DONE!
On the Border: back wheel in USA front wheel in Mexico
Entrance to Antelope Wells US Customs Border – the Dividers dream shot
Border Patrol, Leading Officer-Sean Goggin
Sean, a keen cyclist himself, was magnificent & understood the significance of his small isolated border post to our travelling Divide community. He, together with his Mexican counterpart, facilitated our crossing to Mexico for the passport stamp & our prompt re-entry to the USA.
The time had come to say goodbye to Joao. His cycling is not quite done. He has chosen to cycle the 3days/250 miles to Tucson AZ.
The shuttle driver was keenly waiting so before we know it we were traveling at what felt like enormous speed towards El Paso. Inside the cab, we remained quiet for most of the journey – a mix of tiredness & sense of occasion, I guess.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 
Banff to the barbers……. a long way to go for a haircut!!
Here’s a toast to the oldest Divider in town.
Homeward bound – until the next adventure!
Annette x
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Yep, I’ll drink to that!
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