Hi all,
Do any TD vets or New Mexico residents have any thoughts on how feasible it is to ride from El Paso to Antelope Wells? Looks like the road parallels the Mexican border - are there any genuine risks to riding so close to the border? I'm asking due to planning a NoBo ride next year and flying in from the UK. El Paso to AW with an overnighter at Columbus seems like a good prologue prior to starting NoBo.
Thanks for any info!
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Riding directly across NM 9 from El Paso to Hachita is 30 miles shorter than via I-10. (about 130 vs 160 mi). I'd consider it pretty safe. It's near the border and various types of smuggling activity but there are probably more Border Patrol out there that other humans. You may not see them, but they're there. Mostly, the smugglers avoid any contact. I would probably make sure I camped in Columbus rather than out in between.
Columbus has minimal resupply stuff but you can get water and basic groceries. If you go I-10, you would have Deming as a resupply. Also along I-10, there's a rest area on both sides of the highway near the continental divide. The one on the south side is about 5 miles from the exit for Hwy 146 which runs down to Hachita. From that rest area the frontage road runs over to 146, so you could avoid a little interstate trave. At Deming, you have the option of dropping South to Columbus and then over on 9 to Hachita.