Phoenix, Arizona. Antelope Wells: Been there, done that.

Just a quick update because we are all off to the airport in a couple of hours or so.

We made it to Antelope Wells on the dot of 10 am yesterday, after leaving Silver City about 14 hours earlier. Riding through the night did indeed eventuate to being the inspired and memorable way to end the journey that we had hoped for.

It was not a walk in the park by any means. With the five of us riding with camping quality headlamps, and with Ryan's and Trystan's failing early, lighting was in short supply over the 40 mile sand road section. This section was for the most part fast and fun, but invisible sand traps every now and again were cause for many a close call.

Riding through the night, when the body is tuned to resting, was not surprisingly tough. At times I found myself playing games to see how much of the time I could ride with my eyes closed (thankfully I never lost). Arriving in Hachita, 46 miles short of our destination, at 4am, we allowed ourselves a "sleep" on the concrete basketball court until 5.30am, at which time we made our final assault. Counting down the mile markers - the 30's, 20's, 10's, and single digits (!!), there was no doubt we were looking forward to the finish. Only some goat head punctures, interesting wildlife (including a couple of dead rattlers, a tortoise, tarantula (maybe?), and about a billion grasshoppers), and Ben and Ryan kissing the pavement just 8 miles short, delayed our arrival.

124 miles later, five tired, relieved, and satisfied cyclists rolled into Antelope Wells, which indeed lived up to the expectation of being not much at all. Just a small border crossing, a few trees, and an endless border fence.

A shuttle ride and a sleep later, and right now we are in an uncomfortably hot Phoenix, glad to be spending an minimal amount of time here. Phoenix is the means to an end - somehow the most convenient way to get out of this country.

Trystan is going to put up some photos when he gets the chance and no doubt there will be a few more closing entries to come. By tonight, Ben and Trystan will be in Toronto, and Simon, Ryan and I will be back in Vancouver. If just for a brief while.

Great Divide, check.