Dangerous cycling in Bolivia

I am on the most dangerous road in the world. My faithful bicycle is parked in an apartment in the city of La Paz and I am on a mountain bike with double suspension and hydraulic breaks on a mountain pass. Below lay the road that has been ranked as number one on the world chart of deadly incidents. It is macabre that these types of traffic statistics are alluring to foreigners such as me. I am standing at the beginning of the Death Road, all geared up with huge knee-pads, protective jump-suit and full-faced helmet, wondering what I am doing here.

Then it all happens so fast. Very fast. Too fast. I am free-wheeling down the road together with five other foreigners, following a professional downhill mountain biker. The speed is the danger. The road is full of loose and slippery gravel and some sections are narrow with blind curves. The cliff rises steeply on my right side and drops steeply on my left. I swiftly slow down and keep a calm pace all the way down. The most dangerous road in the world can be turned into the most fun or the most beautiful road in the world if I cycle slow and safe.

I am not on this road because I enjoy danger. For me it is not about adrenaline, it is about freedom. There is something liberating about questioning danger. If I read the recent statistics about the road, it shows that the fatal accidents have dropped drastically since a new road was built and diverted all the traffic. Danger can often be an illusion or exaggeration. That goes for this road and it goes for the long road from Vancouver. Sometimes I need to be careful and use different kinds of protection, but I will continue to enjoy my chosen path through the Americas. On the most fun and the most beautiful roads in the world.

La Paz

Comments

1. Anna S.W Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 6:52 PM

   Du ar bast!

   I wish you safe freedom!

   Puss och Kram
   Anna
2. Feyzullah YILMAZ Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 9:07 PM

   have a safe journey! :)
3. hanna Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at 11:03 AM

   Thank you for the safe wishes Anna and Feyzullah, I will bring them with me as I carefully cycle south.
4. Rene van Everdingen Saturday, August 6, 2011, at 4:36 AM

   You should certainly consider cycling the highest road on this planet now; on the summit of Aucanquilcha volcano !!

   Hope to see you sometime, someplace, somewhere further South.

   Rene
5. hanna Monday, August 8, 2011, at 1:49 PM

   Hello Rene and welcome back to the continent. I am leaving La Paz and are stearing south for the Salar, wishing for some dry salt and sand to ride on. I hope to see you on the road somewhere, so stay in touch and enjoy the ride.

   And that volcano is tempting.