Riding On The Edge

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I would do the Death Road cycling tour and said it was safe. Now that I’ve done it, I still think the same: it’s crazy that cars used to pass there on different lanes, but for bikes, it’s safe… if you respect the trail.

The Thrill of the Start

We were a group of seven, all with decent biking skills. We started the day on a fast downhill section, which I loved and felt I could do all day.

Later, we got to the actual Death Road. I ended up riding in the middle of the group, almost alone. The people ahead of me were just a bit faster, enough to make me feel like I could fall if I took the wrong path. The ones behind me were riding slow and safe, taking no risks.

Knowing When to Slow Down

In the end, five of us fell at some point, and I wasn’t one of them. I don’t think it’s about luck or skill. It’s about speed. Everyone in front of me fell, without exception, while those behind didn’t. Two guys even passed me, only to crash less than two minutes later.

It’s “funny” because no one ever thinks it’s their fault. It was always “The rock was too big” or “I don’t know what happened; I was in control. Must’ve been lucky”. It was never “I went faster than I should have”. After two people fell, I suggested we slow down. Still, everyone was like, “I’m in control”. This is the difference between being responsible and not.

What bothers me is that these kinds of attractions add more rules or even close down because people don’t follow them. We had guides with us, and only on the way back to La Paz did they say we were going faster than we should have. I knew speed was causing the falls, but I was the only one who saw it that way. It’s frustrating that I can’t fully enjoy some places because stricter rules get enforced due to people not knowing their limits.

Know Your Limits

This was my first experience mountain biking. I enjoyed the first part of the day more than Death Road. I liked the tour, but I would only recommend it to people who are really into biking.

So, what’s the takeaway? It’s all about knowing your limits. Sometimes, pushing yourself isn’t bravery - it’s recklessness. So, let’s stay aware and responsible. Hopefully, the freedom to enjoy will follow us.