Peddle Power on Bolivia’s ‘Road of Death’

This 35 mile arse-clenching artery between La Paz and Coroico - rightfully nicknamed ‘El Camino de la Muerte’, or ‘The Road of Death’ - is estimated to claim the lives of 200-300 users every year.



And it’s easy to understand why these tragedies are so frequent. The coalescence of 900 meter sheer drop-offs, wickedly tight hairpin bends, narrow gauges, and unsealed roads littered with debris from the hillside above simply compound its inherent treachery. And the rain and thick fog that can swiftly envelop the mountainside doesn’t help much either.



“But what about guardrails?” I hear you holler. Guardrails...? No bastante, amigo.



But where there is danger, so shall you find thrill seekers. In recent years, this notorious route has seen a considerable increase in the amount of people that actually traverse it for fun.



Now, if you think the buses sound like suicide in a tin then I urge you to read no further.



The foolhardy, or otherwise charmed individual, can now risk meeting their maker in another altogether more novel way. Gravity assisted Mountain Biking. Yep, I’m serious.



Adrenaline junkies can now sign up for this white knuckle extravaganza with one of several adventure companies operating within the area. As this isn’t a plug for any such companies, if you want further details on them you can probably Google them up by typing “Bicycle”, “Insane B*stard” and “Deathwish”.



As for me, I’d prefer to cross my fingers, stuff my rucksack full of four leafed clovers and lucky rabbit’s feet (lucky, of course, unless you happen to be that rabbit) and stick with the bus. This particular activity is best left to those with nerves as robust as their travel insurance.



I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind. It’s been reported that a new road, also connecting La Paz to Coroico, in almost finished. This latest development will no doubt come as welcome news to those that ply this route, and, of course, to the growing number of daredevils that fancy their chances on this increasingly popular downhill racetrack.

For more info and tips, visit Ubertramp

 

Haha I might be doing that next month! Although I've heard from a friend who went down there to skip Gravity and go with Barro Biking, I think it'd be really kickass

 

bueno suerte! good luck dude, and hold on tight!!!