Saturday, November 24, 2007
The world´s most dangerous road.
Also know as the old road from La Paz to Coroico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road
Note I say old road as there is a new road which now takes the bulk of the traffic. The new road is safer but slower so some traffic still prefer to take the quicker route. So the old road is no longer the WMDR anymore, but that doesn`t detract from the road´s spectacular views. Now how did this road become the
WMDR, anybody who has travelled through Bolivia must think how did they choose, there are so many roads here that deserve that title. The difference apparently is the death rate of the WMDR was the highest.
Gravity Bolivia, and many other companies offer a guided mountain bike ride down this road and then you get into the support bus and go up it. They did a great job of keeping everyone more or less happy. They gave some good training to some inexperienced riders as well. I can see why they are the recommended agency to go with.
The ride: well it is what it is, it is a road after all so mountain bike wise it is not that difficult, nor that fast. But it was a great experience and you get the sense of why and how people used to drive up and down this road with the knowledge that someone dies nearly everyday on it. The traffic changes sides and drives on the opposite side so that drivers can see their wheels and where they are in relation to the drop, and I do mean drop.
It´s not the sort of moutian biking to make an experienced mountain biker go weak at the knees but it is a great experience to ride a piece of history.
Photos:
http://www.gravitybolivia.com/gallery/PhotohighlightsfromtheWorldsMostDangerousRoad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road
Note I say old road as there is a new road which now takes the bulk of the traffic. The new road is safer but slower so some traffic still prefer to take the quicker route. So the old road is no longer the WMDR anymore, but that doesn`t detract from the road´s spectacular views. Now how did this road become the
WMDR, anybody who has travelled through Bolivia must think how did they choose, there are so many roads here that deserve that title. The difference apparently is the death rate of the WMDR was the highest.
Gravity Bolivia, and many other companies offer a guided mountain bike ride down this road and then you get into the support bus and go up it. They did a great job of keeping everyone more or less happy. They gave some good training to some inexperienced riders as well. I can see why they are the recommended agency to go with.
The ride: well it is what it is, it is a road after all so mountain bike wise it is not that difficult, nor that fast. But it was a great experience and you get the sense of why and how people used to drive up and down this road with the knowledge that someone dies nearly everyday on it. The traffic changes sides and drives on the opposite side so that drivers can see their wheels and where they are in relation to the drop, and I do mean drop.
It´s not the sort of moutian biking to make an experienced mountain biker go weak at the knees but it is a great experience to ride a piece of history.
Photos:
http://www.gravitybolivia.com/gallery/PhotohighlightsfromtheWorldsMostDangerousRoad
