The death road
The facts
- Start point: La Paz (4650m)
- End point: Yungas (1100m)
- Vertical drop: 3550m
- Distance travelled: 67km
- Time taken: 5 hours
- Number of deaths per year: 200 – 300
- Total number of cyclist deaths: 30
The ride
For the first 35km it was along a tarmac road. It was smooth, wide, and with little traffic – it was great I could go really fast!
The less dangerous half
The remaining 32km were along the stretch of road known as “the worlds most dangerous road” so called because of the large number of deaths that occured on the road every year. A steep, twisty, dirt/gravel road with a vertical drop and no guard rail and at times hardly wide enough for one car. It is crazy to think that up until 3 years ago this was the main road from La Paz to Coroico, handling two way traffic. It is easy to see why so many deaths occurred. Fortunately a new road has opened on the other side of the valley now, which is much safer. We still cycled down the old “dangerous” road, but it meant we didn´t have to worry about oncoming traffic, just about not falling off the cliff!
The death road
The riders
Me: Looking very cool
Rach: Not looking cool at all, or even very comfortable!
Also: Malcom – an experienced dirt track motorbiker from Australia, and George & Benjamin – two Austrians with a hobby of mountain biking in the Alps.
Looking good!
So not cool!
The team
uh-oh no bikes!
So our group dynamics were pretty much like this: Our guide and the three experienced guys flew down full pelt at the front, with me wanting to keep up with them, but not being quite brave enough, while Rach plodded along several minutes behind! I think Rach may have got confused by our safety briefing on how to brake safely, as she seemed to keep her brakes on all the time! She said afterwards that she realised downhill mountain biking wasn´t for her when she saw me in front of her pedalling as fast as I could, then realised that she had both brakes on!
The result
It was a brilliant and exciting day and when we were brave enough to look up the scenery was great. We both made it safely to the bottom, so can count ourselves as death road survivors and even got a T-shirt to prove it!
The view
Rach on her own again!
Wheelies!
Rachel – I think you deserve a medal for this trip not just a T-shirt.
Rod You are supposed to be looking after my Daughter!!!! Still at least you got her to have a go, It used to take me two hours of cajoling just to get her to cycle to Chelmsford with me!!!
Keep well Dadx
Now you know how i feel when trying to keep up with you and the instructor when skiing! Must admit, that looks a hell of a lot more hair-raising then what we’ve ever got up to on the slopes!
Yes I guess I do – I much prefer being the pace maker! Haven´t heard from you in a while Jackster, is the blog keeping you interested or do I need to spice it up a bit?
We have just been laughing at the video – vey amusig! Leigh wants to know if you were on a children’s bike Rach! Glad you made it down safely.
Take care
Sarah
xxx
We´ve just watched the video again and it is hilarious – Rach does look like she is a child!