lube it up

The World's Most dangerous Road (cont)

“Ah, no worries, we are here.” Rodolfo got out of the van and started unloading the mountain bikes, which were strapped to the roof. Tim and Jason also stepped out and got their first real sniff of the Bolivian countryside.

“You’re right Jason. It’s freezing.”

“Yea but it’s worth it. Look at that view.”

“Delicate, but deadly. Just the way I like it. So, do you think we’ll be giving Death a run for her money like we did in Africa?”

“Yes sir. Unless Death happens to be taking an afternoon stroll on a mountain bike down the world’s most dangerous road.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine. It looks like today Death is riding an alpaca.” Tim stuck his tongue out at the animal and, in a playful tone, yelled “Pfaaaaaf.” The alpaca “pfaffed” back and walked away in search of a nice patch of grass to spit on.

Rodolfo began explaining how to use the mountain bikes. He said to keep them in high gear the entire way down and to stay one meter off the edge unless a car was passing. He cautioned that for the first hour or so it may be impossible to enjoy the view but once they got the mechanics down their eyes would be on nothing else but the scenery. When Tim complained that his handle bar was jammed, the driver lubed it up with some Vaseline. Throughout the whole ride Rodolfo would be in the van no more than a couple meters ahead of the duo. All prepped and ready to go they kicked their pedals and started descending the road of death.