The Adventures of Lee and Leslie – Co-starring Ron! Pt 1
by BigAddison
Hey Bikepackers are you ready for a new start? How about a new finish? How about a brand spanking new boundary marker at the southern terminus in Columbus, New Mexico? Well, that’s where this story starts.
For some 40 years our family hotel has seen scores of hikers and bikers hold-up for a night or two before starting or after finishing the grueling test of endurance along the 3000 mile expanse of the Continental Divide / Great Divide Mountain Biking Route. But, it wasn’t until just last year when I bought a new e/Trail Bike that I got bitten by the biking-bug. And it changed my life.
Now, I want combine my 40 years of working in the hospitality industry with the biking world.
I couldn’t think of a better way to start than embracing what serendipity brought to Columbus, NM; The Continental Divide Terminus. So I was thrilled that the arrival of team Lee & Leslie here at my bed & breakfast co-aligned with the Village of Columbus about to dedicate the new terminus on June 10, 2025 (see event here).
Let’s start with their own introduction
Three Days in the Hole!
May 29, 2025 – In the late afternoon the mini caravan pulled into my driveway at the Hole. First came the rental car carrying two of our riders Lee and Ron, joined a bit later by Leslie and her husband John in the support vehicle taking its place under the covered parking.
Introductions made, a quick tour of their accommodations, and the team went to work setting up a makeshift bike shop in the garage before calling it a day and settling into warm late Spring evening and sunset.
May 30, 2025 – Today was all about setting up the bikes for the trip and listening to all my Columbus antidotes about life in what I call “The Wild Wild West”, still. I filled them in on our amazing history and the impact Columbus had on America’s Military during the “Punitive Expedition” led by General Blackjack Pershing in pursuit of the infamous Pancho Villa after some 600 “Villaistas” staged a surprise attack of the village in the early morning hours of March 9th, 1916 killing 8 civilians and 10 soldiers.
Speaking of soldiers, coincidently, Leslie’s son-in-law was temporarily stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and was able to bring Leslie’s daughter and grandson over for quick a family reunion.
At one point (see pic on right) Leslie ran out of gas and passed out on the garage floor next to her bike. (j/k it’s just her sandals riding caboose on the back of her bike.
Bikes readied, family united and the team excited to get started, they decide to leave in the morning at 6:00am. A day early!
May 31, 2025 – 5:30am I hop on my bike and head-out first to meet the team at the newly installed GDMBR Terminus Marker located at the border of Mexico just inside the Port-Of-Entry grounds between Columbus and Palomas, Mexico. When the team arrived about 30 minutes or so was spent unloading, setting up, tracking apps synced, and goodbyes made before Team Lee & Leslie and Ron depart.
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My steel horse parked at the Terminus Marker at first light |
Watch 5 quick videos capturing the team (and the first riders) to depart from the new GDMBR / CDT Southern Terminus in Columbus, NM
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!
The team-plan is to tackle the GDMBR in exactly 60 days. To meet that goal means averaging 50 miles per day. One way or another. In todays world the bikepakers and backpackers on the trail can never be alone if they choose to be tracked using phone apps. Our team has chosen TrackLeaders for this purpose (see story links below).
Both Lee & Leslie and Ron have YouTube channels where they are chronicling the ride. I learned during their visit with me that Lee & Leslie’s mother actually does all the editing for each edition of their “The Adventures of Lee and Lesile” YouTube channel (links below to both youtube channels). Mom is 85!
Additionally, I’ll be following along and reporting on their progress as they go. Hoping to connect with them for real-time details, and awaiting each new episode as they come in every 10-14 days. So, stay tuned.
EVERYBODY RIDE ON TIL NEXT TIME!
-BigAddison
This Story Links
Follow the adventure straight from the source!
Go to their YouTube Channel
The Co-star isn’t a third-wheel, Ron has been tackling the GDMBR a section at a time for years. That wasn’t the plan, but life circumstances keep pulling him off the quest. You can follow his exploits too! Go to his YouTube Channel
BicycHoles |
Dirt and Dragonfly Pottery by Leslie |
GDMBR Ornament |
Follow Lee, Leslie, and Ron’s progress. Look for them bunched together (god willing) showing “L” “L” “R” flags.
Go now!
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Blogging from my bike! Signs Your Bike is in Columbus, New Mexico Three Sisters At Once! – A Biker’s Dream The Great Planes of New Mexico BicycHoles™ |