Death Road (aka Yungas Road) was at one time the only road connecting Bolivia and Brazil. It was dubbed the most dangerous road by the Inter-American Development Bank, as 200-300 people were estimated to die by falling off the mountain path, often in commuter buses. After 2006, a new road was built bypassing Yungas Road. The 'most dangerous road' is now mostly used for mountain biking and by a spattering of locals from farming communities. I, of course, had to experience this bike adventure first hand. I did my ride with a company called Ride On Bolivia, which I highly recommend for their awesome guides and gear.
Starting at 4,650 m asl, you drop from a breathtakingly rugged alpine setting and to the high jungle. Speeding along the initial part of the highway, you can see local transport buses tossing out 99% proof alcohol and coca leaves to Pachamama for safe pass on the highway. After about the paved highway, you end up on the famous Death Road, which is a 5-10 m wide dirt path winding down a mountain, with some 600 m sheer drops off unguarded cliffs.
Mountain biking is pretty risky business. I have a lot of road biking experience (I love it so much), but mountain biking was new to me. Because there's lots of unexperienced mountain bikers, the ride often has some injuries, and most often not because of irresponsible companies. Our group had our share of injuries. We had one girl injure her ankle before the trip even started by tripping out of the bathroom. She was a trooper and did most of the ride anyways, despite her injury. Down the highway, we had one arm injury on a guy who was fixing his GoPro while riding (don't do that, obvs.). Ahead of me, two guys wiped out because they took a corner too fast, and ended up with ripped up shirts and road rash on their shoulders and knees. I went down paved portion of the ride really fast, but as soon as we got to the dirt road I turned into a chicken after almost flying over my handle bars. I mean, I still had three weeks of my trip left with a giant backpack ; I couldn't very well carry it on crutches or with my arm in a sling.
OH MY GOD it was fun. The guides, being professional mountain bikers, were able to video tape me on the way down because I was going so heavy on my breaks, screaming with joy the entire time. Basically, I was ridiculous. I was the last one down by 20 minutes. I can't wait to go mountain biking again. Even if you're not into mountain biking, the trip is worth it because the views are breathtaking.
About 10 minutes after we packed up and were in the vans headed for supper, we were hit by heavy wind and rain. The timing was perfect. Exhausted and hungry, we ate all the food and cheers-ed ourselves for surviving death road.