Death Road Bolivia

Have you ever dreamt of cycling without any tiring uphills? Well "Death Road" in Bolivia is your dream come true.. (well, it was mine!) It's a 69km downhill road which is now used mainly for cycling!
You start 56km northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region of Bolivia and cycle nearly all the way down hill to Coroico. I've got to say it was one of the most fun things I've ever done

My friends and I chose Pro Downhill as the company to take us to Death Road as we'd chatted to some people in our hostel who had been with them. Apparently they were a new company but used exactly the same bikes as the leading company and their equipment was newer and good quality.

   We were taken early in the morning by mini bus to the start point of the ride where the air was thin there were beautiful snow peaked mountains.





The equipment and bikes seemed almost brand new. The ride started on tarmac but this was a nice warm up rather than starting first off on graveled track.
   The road wound down gradually with gentle bends, it was great to feel the cool breeze, definitely a good way to wake up in the morning!

 



   After about half an hour we reached the official "Death Road" and the track became bumpy and graveled. The tarmac had been very fun but it was nice to have a bit more challenging now. Except one of my friends didn't appreciate it.. Unfortunately he didn't have much experience of riding on surfaces other than tarmac and so when we hit the gravel he encountered a few difficulties!!!

Bolivia's Death Road - The World's Most Dangerous Road

Thankfully he wasn't hurt! We couldn't laughing for the rest of the ride!!

   The road wound down and down, it was so great not to have to pedal (well only in order to go even faster!). We had to be aware of trucks coming up the way however these were far and few between as a new road has been built and so we weren't riding on the main route from the Coroicas to the Yungas. We only passed 2 trucks the whole way.
   We stopped for lunch by a beautiful waterfall. By now the weather very warm and the vegetation more lush.





   We passed the famous photography point...



After about 6 hours we reached the bottom (after some stunt riding down the last part!)

                               



It didn't feel like a 6 hour ride at all, it was so exhilarating and enjoyable it passed in no time!
If I go back to South America which I hope to do sometime, I would definitely return to do Death Road!
It has its name for a reason, it's true that people have died after falling from the Death Road. However, as long as you're not reckless, in my opinion safe. It's wide enough to always stay a safe distance from the edge.

   Check out this video if you're interested in watching Jeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear team attempt to drive up Death Road - funny!

Bolivia's Death Road - Top Gear - BBC

You can see the rest of my pictures from the Death Road and from Bolivia here.. http://travelforumglobe.com/media/?sa=album;in=41

 

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