Death Road Shmeth Road!
Trip Start
May 15, 2006
1
22
36
Trip End
Jul 06, 2006
La Paz, Bolivia
Friday, June 9, 2006
01 Getting Started!
. Still however I was going about 20mph ther entire time, which in my opinion is retty fast for a bike. The first hour and a half was on a paved road, and we absolutely flew down that, until we got to the uphill part that lasts for about a mile. I had a pretty bad allergy attack going uphill because I couldnt breath and I was inhaling all this dust and ollen from the air. It was at that point that I wondereed if I was cut out for this trip. Then the road got bumby, and turned to dirt and rocks. Oh did I mention it was about 10 feet wide in most places, and there was a cliff on one side that was about 400 to 500 m deep in some places. Every five to ten minutes we passed another cross of where someone had driven off the cliff, and I couldnt help but wonder how many bikers had flown off the cliff. Apparently though, only one biker has died, and it was an Israeli girl that went off one of the steepest points because she couldnt stop her bike. There was a monument at that point and thats where we ate lunch. This especially dangerous part of the road is know as San Juan. The worst thing about the ride is that you had to pay such close attention that its hardto enjoy the absolutely gorgeous scenery. After San Juan the scenery and climate goes from green and not dusty, with a nice temperature, to a more dry, dusty, and hot. The hardest part of the ride for me was dealing with the extreme pain in my hands due to using the breaks almost constantlyto keep myself at a speed I felt like I could control. By now, you must be thinking that I didnt enjoy myself at all, but this is not true
02 Juliano and Me!
. I had an absolute blast flying down this road, but it was filled withmoments of terror, hopelessness, pain, and thoughts about my sanity. When I finally reached the bottom of the hill in Yoloso, I could hardly uncurl my hands, I was covered in a thin film of Bolivian, coca laden dust, and the only thing I had on my mind was " I wonder what the score to the Germany vs Costa Rica game is?". If you must know Germany won 4 to 2, but they are absolutely in the weakest group inb the entire world cup in my opinion. Anyway, after a good thirtyminute break we hoped in the van thattailgated myslow butt down the mountain in the first place, and headed up to Coroico for a shower and lunch. After getting the dust off and filling my belly with some of the best food Ive had in Bolivia to this oint we hoped back in the van to head back. Oh, Imean head back the exact same way we came down. Yikes! Can I drive please, because if im gonna go off a cliff Id like it to be my fault. I found myself gripping the seat in front of me with my bruised hands and then thinking to myself "Luke! Why are you holing onto the seat so hard? Its not like its gonna keep you from falling off the thousand foot cliff if the van goes over." Ah, the mind of a medical student, always assesing the risks, and seeing the microcopic thing that can ruin a simple but refreshing glass of water. I meanseriously Id probably die of dehydration before I dipped into mother natures streams and rivers, because I studied the 50,000 typs of Diahrea you can get from unfiltered water. Anyways, we made it home safely, and might I add just in time tohit Bolivian traffic, but more importanly SAFELY! Now, here I am, writing in my travelpod waiting for a group of Americans from Portland to get ready so we can all go out and eat. Im going to bed early tonight so that Im ready for the big fiesta tomorrow. Oh, and Ill try to have some picks up tomorrow, but since I didnt bringmy camera on this trip, they will be from some of the people I went with. 
Comments
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
We're glad to hear you are safe. Your mother's prayers have been answered once again. Miss you. We enjoy reading your blog. Pictures are great.
Love, Dad