Cycling in support of Limbs For Life

Cycling in support of Limbs For Life
Cycling in support of Limbs For Life

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

CHORO!- A jungle trek... with bicycles. (an alternative to the not so death defying "Death Road")

You hear alot about cycling the infamous Bolivian "Death Road" (Ruta de la Muertos). Vans loaded with bikes and gringos go streaming out of Lapaz every day. That old road chipped from the sheer cliff side sees thousands of bikers every year. The scenery is absolutly stunning (when its not hidden behind grey walls). Though, if you are a true, blown in glass Mt. Biker and crave single-track like a polar bear does seals? You might very well find yerself board to death by the "Death Road". I only compare these routes because they start and end in virtually the same place, taking different valleys.
L to R-  Gabriel, Some dude, Mike, Karen and Christian.  ( Thanx to Christian for the lift to the top)

A look back down at La Cumbre and the main road
The ever amazing Christian from the Lapaz Casa de Ciclista gave us a lift to the Choro trail head. This trekking path is normally hiked in 3 days. We planned to do it in 1 on bikes. From a lofty 4870m down to a balmy 1300m- a decent of 3570m (11,712ft) How challenging could it be?
Karen picking her way down from the top

Only ancient Incan roads to be found here.

Stupid good fun

Toothy and rocky

The weather was amazing for us- considering it was the wet season in a very wet climate

Que the Conan soundtrack 

Inca pavement. One of  Davie's favorite

Lama rush hour

Some convenient bridges

Jungly

Those Incans were busy folks


Beware of pumas 

Karen in one of the few rideable mid sections

400 year old highway


Gabriel, starting to feel it. 

Mike pushing on
I only had 50 Km on my odometer but it took us 12.5 hours of hard effort. We finished the last stretch in the dark. Head lamps sweeping the fast and rocky decent to Chairo. Amazing and difficult. We shared a beer and some hearty cheers all around at the end of a beautiful days ride. Don't expect a T-shirt.
We slept on hay mattresses around an old pool table in a concrete room. At 5 am we caught this truck back to Lapaz

Gaboo... sore, tired and smiling

Early morning snoozes

    I highly recommend this alternative route to anyone with a hankering for the unbeaten path. A light weight bikepacking set up and breaking it into a 1.5 day run would be the most ideal. Be prepared for some serious hike-a-bike. The rideable stuff is in the beginning and the end.


  "There is absolutely nothing else I would rather do with my life than ride routes like this around the world"- Kurt Alan 10:45 pm- beer in hand 

23 comments:

  1. Great post, y'all.
    Very adventurous and awesome.
    Peace :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanx Chandra, I'll tell Davie you think so. Cuz I guessing that "y'all" is him and I

      Delete
  2. Looks awesome!

    But - you put Davie in a vehicle? What did he think of that (-;

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He bucked and kicked wildly. I had to throw a tarp over him to get him in the truck. Through out the drive back, I had to keep reassuring him it was only a side trip; so he wouldn't destroy the sideboards.

      Delete
  3. Hey Kurt it's seven, Amazing post. I'm working towards building a bike right now. Your doing what I dream of doing. Luna's laying sprawled out on my body right now, little stinker.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Seven, Great to hear from you. What'cha gonna build? Road or MTB? I'd like to meet that little stinker one day. She'll prolly be riding with you by then!

      Delete
  4. That mud looks SERIOUS! The fat bike appears to be doing it's job as an all terrain vehicle. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

    Cheers

    Adventure Family in Motion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm positive they do. It gets group to seem. Good or bad, these bicycles aggravate a rejoinder, and in my book that's improved than a tedious backyard :-).

      Know more about single speed bikes visit here

      Delete
  5. Excellent post and pic. he way of explaining points is amazing , and i found your blog also very cool. keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me.I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it.. scooter kopen online

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is the great post in the interesting distinct written content. Many thanks for sharing this informative article.bike accident attorney

    ReplyDelete
  8. I see the greatest contents on your blog and I extremely love reading them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read your blog post and it was very informative and thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Really it is amazing post. You have share many kinds of beautiful place for riding mountain bike. Really it is perfect for cycling.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow amazing, Nice content I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion Thanks to sharing thanks! montague paratrooper mountain bike

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just admiring your work and wondering how you managed this blog so well. It’s so remarkable that I can't afford to not go through this valuable information whenever I surf the internet! truck bed covers

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is very interesting. I love all the things you share and see your beautiful creation. Thank you for sharing with everyone.
    พัฒนาการของเด็ก

    ReplyDelete
  14. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may just I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles relating to this article. I want to desire to learn more issues about it!
    Also visit our website in:

    slot online

    togel terbaik

    prediksi togel jitu

    ReplyDelete
  15. I enjoyed reading this. Do you have any recommended resources on traveling,
    BizTrader

    ReplyDelete