Death Road Bike Ride out of La Paz Bolivia

The thought of doing the Death Road Bike ride was exhilarating, scary and exciting all at the same time....I HAD TO DO IT!!!  I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't...


This is an extract from someone else -" Bolivia's Yungas Road is officially the most hazardous on earth. Local people pray before using it and the nearest hospital is a two-hour drive away"  and " The North Yungas Road (alternatively known as Road of Death or Death Road) is a 61-kilometre (38 mi) or 69-kilometre (43 mi) road^[1] leading from La Paz to Coroico, 56 kilometres (35 mi) northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region of Bolivia. It is legendary for its extreme danger and in 1995 the Inter-American Development Bank christened it as the "world's most dangerous road"" - BUT the attraction is there to do it and I thought that I would let my Action Outdoor Group in Perth down if I didn't at least try it and to be honest I was a little nervous but really excited at the prospect as well - a death wish?????  I don't think so - just exciting.....

"Upon leaving La Paz, the road first ascends to around 4,650 metres (15,260 ft) at La Cumbre Pass, before descending to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) at the town of Coroico, transiting quickly from cool Altiplano terrain to rainforest as it winds through very steep hillsides and atop cliffs.

Because of the extreme dropoffs of at least 600 meters (1,830 feet), single-lane width – most of the road no wider than 3.2 metres (10 ft) and lack of guard rails, the road is extremely dangerous. Further still, rain, fog and dust can reduce visibility. In many places the road surface is muddy, and can loosen rocks from the road"  - from Wikipaedia...

It wasn't that bad - first part is on normal ashphalt road so speeding downhill for about 10kms was fantastic.... a few stops on the way so people can see if they are happy with their bikes and brakes - one of our group found his brakes weren't that great and he crashed into the side barrier - not a great start.  I had opted for duel suspension and was sooooo pleased that I did.  


Further on a stop to buy 25Bolivianas entry ticket ( 6.7 Bvs =  $1 US) to the old road and a feed of bananas, chocolate (not great) and a dry cheese sandwich - I suppose you get what you pay for and I paid 440Bv's for the duel suspension and the more expensive companies charge 720Bvs so it is a toss up.  My bike was great and the guides were very careful the whole way so I felt safe - well most of the time ;-)


The old road is rocky and narrow and at times a huge bus passed but we were stopped at the time of the bus so we didn't have to vere off the road.....  On this road you ride on the left (the opposite to the first part) which is close to the edge but if you are careful, and I was, and watch everything and don't go at breakneck speed, it is a fantastic ride....

The scenery is magnificent as you ride through the valley and at times, under waterfalls, through muddy sections (as it is the rainy season) and it did rain in part and we were drenched......  It was an amazing experience - one that I will remember forever....AND you get a free T-shirt stating you have done it and survived - worth every cent ......haha!!!