Anti-lope Wells GDMBR Terminus

What’s the story how Antelope Wells, NM became known as the “official” southern terminus of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route? Why? Because logistically, it’s a nightmare.

(Cover photo credit by Jeffery Sharp)

While down here at the Columbus, New Mexico terminus, it’s a dream come true for a comfortable and convenient start or finish to the GDMBR.

Hey listen, god love ya if you want to endure the hardships associated with selecting Antelope Wells as your terminus. I mean, we serve it as well in regards to shuttling to and from Columbus and El Paso International Airport. It’s a double the fare for us. And you.

If you’re lucky, what’s instore for you in A.W. is some water stashed behind the Port of Entry sign by a local man named Jeffery Sharp. And god love him too. He’s your guy if that’s your plan (here’s his Facebook page to make your connection https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057615993022).

Getting in and getting out these days has the additional difficulty of requiring permission from the U.S. Army to even set foot at that terminus.

Once you do get permission, you’re then talking about getting to the middle of nowhere in the desert with absolutely zero services within 45 miles in any direction. Especially south. 😉 And if you chose to finish there…Now what? That’s the nightmare, logistically.

Or, you can choose the Columbus way. Where a whole village supports your quest, from Philip Skinner (who’s the the Mayor and local hotelier of the Los Milagros Hotel), to his nephew BigAddison (Me), who is your host at the Bikers & Hikers HoleTel & Campground aka The Hole in the Wall Getaway.

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Columbus offers ease, comfort, and convenience to begin or finish your quest with GDMBR friendly services such as:

Easy Access
1-2 Rider Special (see details)
Lodging
Food
Shuttle
Terminus Marker & Plaque at the border.
And the one thing we share with Antelope Wells, a 45 mile ride to, or from Hachita, NM.

If it’s difficulty you’re looking for, We got that too!

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Take the Tres Hermanas Challenge. It’s not for the novice, it’s extreme, it’s beautiful, it starts or stops right out my driveway, and it’s an ACA OFFICIAL ALT ROUTE. Look for it on your Section 6 Ride with GPS routes. Read all about it here: Pedaling THC Across New Mexico.

This morning I’m seeing off Doug and Matt who arrived yesterday to begin the GDMBR. In their case, they are travelling with a support vehicle driven by Doug’s wife Mandy.

Arriving in the afternoon yesterday, and giving themselves the rest of the day to set-up the bikes, cook themselves a big high carb high proteins dinner with the full kitchen privilege’s at the HoleTel. And then enjoying a good nights rest before I escort them down to the border and document their start from our Great Divide Mountain Bike Route boundary marker at the our 24/7/365 Port of entry to Palomas, Mexico.

The Famous Pink Store in Palomas, MX

In fact, if you can spare an extra day before you start or after you finish, you can also immerse yourself in the amazing history of Columbus and our most famous visitor, Pancho Villa and then take a simple two block walk into Palomas, Mexico to visit the Famous Pink Store for the entire flavor of Mexico in just one place. I’ll even shuttle you down there and back. I might even stay for lunch.

Nothing against Antelope Wells, except how extraordinarily inconvenient and costly it is getting in and getting out of there. Bottom-line is this folks, Columbus is simply the better, smarter, most convenient option for most everyone taking on the GDMBR.

RIDE ON EVERYBODY!
-BigAddison