And then it was over…

After Tijuana the team made one last short ride to our final hosts, staying at the crazy funky space of the Existence Church in Miramar, north of downtown San Diego. With a couple of days to decompress, we managed to sneak in a couple more rocking dance parties and an amazing award ceremony orchestrated by Emilie, Bronwyn and Sonia that recognized every team member for one of their more unique attributes

With the unavoidable sense that things were coming to a close, sadness was definitely in the air and tears not too far from the surface. This team being what it is, laughter won the day though with ridiculous games, dances, and late night stories. Most are speaking of this as just a beginning, with true excitement for where this group might go next in their journeys. Its overwhelming to even try to imagine what these incredible individuals will go on to accomplish…

In the end, an emotional final check-in from the team brought a sense of final closure as people reflected on the group and trip, and let everyone know what they would be up to next. Soon people were trickling off…by the time the support van struck out for home it was only a few left behind, mostly in the final planning stages for further adventures into Mexico.

~~~

One by one riders are arriving home to sleep in their own bed, slowly getting over the comfort shock of not waking up on gymnasium floors or showering with the garden hose, not fighting 25 other smelly people for computer access…and you know what, we miss it, a lot.
Its hard to communicate the culture shock of being torn from an environment where you are not only living in, around, and on top of 25 other people every day, but sharing some of the most intense physical and mental strain most have ever gone through. On the ride it was often remarked that you are forced to live in 24 hour, or even 12 hour chunks. You can not think past that, and if you did there was little point trying as everything would again shift. There is something beautiful about that in such a fast paced world, yes there was a lot going on, never a dull moment, but you had to be in it, not lost in future considerations or past reflections.

Lifelong friendships are forged (as are some truly, truly impressive tan lines). For some, life decisions are made and global outlooks change with a wealth of new information and understanding. Hygiene and social conduct standards are entrenched that probably won’t be deemed terribly acceptable in polite company, but hugs come easily, as do laughs, and tears. Ideas about what is possible disintegrate in the face of gradually achieving something you may have viewed as nearly impossible just weeks earlier…

It is with great sadness and pride that we close down Riding to Break the Cycle for another year. No matter what great things the future holds for this project this team will always hold a very, very special place for everyone involved. I come away re-inspired, re-invigorated, and excited at what the world holds for this amazing group of individuals. Until our paths cross again,

Global AFC, and the entire Riding to Break the Cycle 2008 team