Down the Death Road in Bolivia

Album - Death Road Bike Ride, Bolivia

We finally went on the death road bike ride. We had put it off for a few days as Dave had a cold, it poured down every day and Youngmi said it was too dangerous. We asked a couple of people and one asked Dave how is your health and another said it was very popular with young people. At the end of the ride an aussie guy said to Dave you have done well for an old guy.

We were driven up through the jumbled streets of La Paz and then through wild mountain scenery to 4700m. Only 12kms from la Paz. There six of us put on the body armour and rode off down the surfaced road for 20kms. Huge mountains like Lord of the Rings country. Then onto the dirt road through the misty jungle. As the mist cleared we could see big drops from the road side and the occasional cross. 15 cyclists have died in the last few years by going over the side. The road is now closed to traffic but used to be the main! road and buses would also go over the side.

As Dave was the only person with a front suspension bike rather than full suspension (he saved $15) he got more out of the bumpy road.
After 64kms and 3500m of descent we reached the hot jungle like valley and lunch and a swim. The bike ride was tame compared with the bus ride back to La Paz. The new road was really good but there were enormous drops of the side as we climbed back to 4700m. We now have the death road T shirt from Barro Biking.

In the last week in La Paz there have been many highlights.
Toured San Francisco church and monastery with two young guides who are heavy metal fans. An evening at the theatre for Bolivian music and dancing -better than metal. Had dinner with Berthold a german music fan who could not decide when to leave and a 19 year old german couple one of whom had her bag slashed and passport and money taken.

Met Steve who we had last seen on the bus from El Chalten. In the meantime he had been back to England then gone to the caribean, Venezuela, Brazil and here. In the last few weeks he had been on boats on the Amazon including 3 days up the wrong river and three days back all while sleeping in a hammock and being the only english speaker on board.

Seen many museums, Evo Morales home which had lots of soldiers guarding it and the valley of the moon just south of La Paz.

Caught the local bus which wound its way up through the streets to El Alto.Said to be 600m higher than mid La Paz but seemed much higher. Incredible view of the city which is surrounded by high land. Very scary on the old bus as it stopped on steep hills to pick up more passengers.

Tasted Api, like Gluwein,in Hotel Torrino and watched tango dancing there. Many great meals especially the $4 four course lunches.

Last night we went to the home of Luis and his family who we met in Potosi and who lived in Sopacachi in La Paz. Lovely evening with lovely people. To get to their front door from the street we went up about 70 narrow steps. Not sure how furniture is delivered there.

Tomorrow we are off for three days to try to climb Huyuni Potosi 6088m.There first afternoon after a 4 hour walk we have 4 hours on a glacier learning crampon and ice axe technique for the final 700m which is on snow and will be climbed at night. Fingers crossed.