Today we biked The Worlds Most Dangerous Road....
Technically this is the title given to a stretch of road between Unduavi (north of La Paz) and Coroico by some development agency some 20-odd years ago, when annual deaths numbered in the hundreds. It was dirt and rock, very narrow and followed a precarious route with near-vertical drops in the hundreds of meters on one side. It was also two-way, so most deaths occurred when a vehicle got nudged off the side by another. Since 2006 a by-pass taking all the vehicular traffic away from the rock and dirt 'track' has rendered it much safer.
As all cyclists know, traffic is always our greatest danger. Now you would have to be a complete dumb-wit to fall over the edge. I am sure they are still out there, though.
However, dangerous it may not be, but that does not stop it being a blast - starting at 4,700meters (15,419') it drops to 1,200meters (3917') in 64k. (40 miles). That equates to a drop of 11,502'' in 40 miles. Ben Nevis is only 4,409' high. It is a real downhill ride.
The first section is paved - therefore fast- the latter on the original, rock and dirt road down the massive canyon. Good fun.
Veggie beware...
Our evening continued in grand fashion as we visited El Arrieo, an Argentine steak restaurant.
Imagine a sublime steak (imported from Argentina; I suspect it is the source of the best meat in the world)
Imagine a fantastic bottle of Alta Playa melbec, from Mendoza.
Nothing fancy, no sauces, just the star performer and the wine. I cannot tell you how good both were.
Posted with Blogsy
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