thirty-three vehicles a year can't be wrong

the most dangerous road in the world, according to annual death statistics. where a vehicle plops over the edge every other week. death road, complete with 1km drops, narrow passes and messy landslides. after reading such descriptions, how could amy and i pass of the chance to bike on such a road? exactly.

the actual biking part isn't the hard part. we started at about 4700 meters, among the snow and wind, towards our final destination that was about 70 km away, at a mere 1200 meters. most of the journey is downhill, with only a few uphill struggles (being at that altitude certainly doesn't help with the breathing). yeah, so it wasn't really the peddling that needed enduring. it was more all the other parts of biking that were at times, quite literally, painful. the squeezing of the brakes so hard that my palms are bruised. the incessant bumping that left me with either a pain in my butt or tired thighs from sitting off the seat. the huge bruises on both legs that i have no idea where they came from.

sound like fun yet? oh, but it was. the views were spectaular and the changing scenery kept it interesting. the first part of the trip (which is not technically death road) was paved, allowing for a speedy and painless descent. then came the unpaved bumpy curviness that is death road. that was slightly less speedy and a lot less painless... but still fun, with biking over streams and under waterfalls. and the snacks they gave us weren't bad either. i will admit, though, i was quite happy when we arrived at the end.

and of course, no death road experience would be complete without... the journey back. the four hour bus ride back to la paz. back up into the mountains. back on the curvey roads. back past the hug truck making their way in the other direction. i thought it was fun, but i am not sure if amy will agree. actually, i am pretty sure she wouldn't.

perhaps this doesn't seem quite morbid enough... or at least amy tells me. i assure you it was. death was abound. death was there. roadside memorial graves and truck visibly crashed over the side were a constant reminder. great... now this sounds too morbid. i guess better stop here.