| If you want to take yourself to the extreme, nothing | | | | where the temperature can reach sub-zero digits |
| will get you there faster than gravity assisted mountain | | | | through the mountains of La Paz to the road's end in |
| biking. Gravity assisted mountain bike tours have | | | | the warm jungle village of Coroico, which is set at an |
| become more popular in the recent years, and the | | | | altitude of 3600 feet. |
| special on ABC's Nightline about Bolivia's Death Road | | | | While "only" 8 mountain bike riders have fallen to their |
| has gotten even your grandma wondering what | | | | death since 2003, an average of 26 vehicles per year |
| gravity assisted mountain biking is all about. | | | | take the plunge; making the trip back up Death Road |
| Imagine the thrill of plunging 11,800 feet in a mere 40 | | | | almost as heart-pounding as the ride down. |
| miles as you navigate your mountain bike down some | | | | Unfortunately, motor vehicles do travel the one lane |
| of the most treacherous, winding hills in the world. | | | | road during the bike tour, so mountain biking enthusiasts |
| Sounds like every extreme mountain biking enthusiasts | | | | need to take extra precautions as the follow their bike |
| dream? This dream can become a reality by taking a | | | | tour guide through Death Road's 200-plus turns. |
| bike tour down the aptly named Death Road in La | | | | And speaking of motor vehicles, it is important to |
| Paz, Bolivia. While gravity assisted mountain biking is | | | | remember that the passing laws that are common |
| offered in many other places around the world, you will | | | | throughout the rest of Bolivia are thrown out the |
| never beat the experience of Death Road. | | | | window on Death Road. Vehicles with the driver |
| Mountain Biking down Death Road is not for the weak | | | | closest to the 3000 foot drop edge will pass on the |
| at heart, however, and should be attempted only by | | | | edge - possibly to remind them of how close to death |
| more experienced mountain biking adventurers. La Paz | | | | they actually are - so you will want to pay extra close |
| offers bike tours down Death Road which hurtle riders | | | | attention as they pass. |
| from the starting altitude of 15,400 feet in La Cumbre | | | | |