Toby & Belinda's blog!

With the trepidation of the unknown we all clambered into a local Bolivian bus, all 15 of us. As we climbed high out of La Paz on the rough and often earth and gravel road an almost silent and quite somber air hung in the ageing packed bus like a fine mist. Was everyone that nervous? No, it was still relatively early – 8am, that is early for us backpacker types. We had an hours bus ride to our starting point. The starting point of which we were all going to cycle down the most dangerous road in the world! A ride that started at 4,700 metres high in the Andes Mountains dropping to a low of 1,400 metres 5 hours later in the tiny village of Yolosa.

Ready to GO!

This is a road that took lives on a daily basis until a new and much less dangerous road was built 3 years ago as an alternative route. The old road still takes lives but less often. It was very chilly at the top, a cold wind nipped at my bare ears and I was very glad of the over trousers, coat, gloves, helmet, goggles and wind buf supplied by Gravity our excellant tour guide company. Duncan our chief guide briefed us and off we went on our expensive mountain bikes,complete with hydraulic brakes and suspension – luxury you can’t afford to miss out on with this ride.

Not over the edge!

The first 20km is on an asphelt surface, smooth and relatively normal apart from the surrounding lanscape; amazing looming greeny brown mountains and incredibly steep drop off points. As quite a large group we stopped off at regular intervals along the way, usually points of interest. That is if you have an interest in the latest casualties of the road – a bus full of passengers, a pick up with 5 workers in it, 4 murdered bodies dumped off the edge and numerous other similar viewing spots!

big Drop!

The ride itself is relatively easy, especially the first 20 km then with the advent of nearly 40km of gravel trak a little more concentration is required. Although the scenery is breathtaking gazing around and taking it in isn’t something that is recommended unless you want to add yourself to the long list of casualties. Stunning, absolutely but keep your eyes and mind on the road (or rough track) ahead, buses, vans, lorries and cars can overtake or appear at any moment around one of the many blind hairpin bends and they do.

Happy and Alive!

Instructions are given to focus 10 or 20 metres ahead and always around the next corner as if you find yourself staring at the beauty of the open mountainous lush green valley with its waterfalls and stunning views then thats where you’ll end up and inevitably death! Likewise with the rocks in the road or the bends themselves, always look ahead otherwise you will come a cropper! With plenty of allocated stops for water and food we eventually make it all the way to the bottom of the track. We have successfully navigated ourselves down a narrow gravelly track of maybe 3 metres wide, cut high up into the side of lush green mountains.

Relaxing at the end of the road!

Many parts are crumbling away or conjested with landslides but we did it! We managed to reach the bottom unscathed, elated and thankful. An exhilerating ride, mostly downhill, that gets the adrenalin flowing and the heart racing. Great fun, a recommendation to anyone!

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