The Worlds Most Dangerous Road

Everyone in La Paz told us to book with Gravity as they were supposedly the best, but they were also the most expensive and we found a locally owned company that looked just as good (they used new trek 4500s) and so instead we booked with Barro biking, who were absolutly brilliant. Our front suspension bikes suited us well and none of us had sore limbs at the end. 5 of us booked together and it turned out it was just the 5 of us on the road. Our guide was very helpful and completely set us at ease, and we were constantly followed by the minibus which was very spacious for us all.

So we began at 9am at a height of 4800m and descended 1200m over the space of 60k and it only took us 3 hours. The first bit was smooth tarmac and a joy to fly down, with all 5 of us making it in no time, it was also our first time cycling through clouds!! Unfortunately Orla had a stomach bug and had to opt for the bus on the more dangerous bits. After the nice begining, we had to skip the uphill bit due to time constraints (we had a bus to catch to Uyuni), but watching other people struggle on that stretch this wasnt such a bad thing!!!!!

As for the gravelly road, it was more testing and we all kept our fingers very close to the breaks, but despite the speed you cant avoid gaining and all the rocks we all managed to stay on our bikes all the way through. It was a little unnerving to pass memorials of previous bikers, who met untimly ends, but apparently most of these were reckless and in my opinion its as dangerous as you make it. Our guide was always ready with the camera and we got some great videos of us going through waterfalls, it was amazing to see him taking a video while descending rocky paths really fast and look completely unfazed. We were all treated to a nice snack during the bike ride and a lovely lunch after in a nice hostal with showers and a pool. I have to say the traffic we met were very considerate and our driver was excellent and safe (according to Orla, who spent most time in the bus!!). A thoroughly enjoyable experience.