An American cyclist has been confirmed dead after his mountain bike plunged off a 70 meter cliff while biking down Bolivia’s infamous Highway of Death.
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Kenneth Mitchell was part of a tourist group, one of several that conduct biking and cycling tours down the treacherous stretch of road, called Yungas Road. At the height of its infamy, Yungas Road which connects La Paz to Corioco, killed close to 200 people annually.
The stretch begins from the Andean Mountains descending 11,800 feet into the Amazonian jungle. Enroute are some truly spectacular landscapes, mingled with hairpin bends, and sheer drops. The nearest hospital is a couple of kilometers away, and journeyers offer beer to seek the blessings of the earth deity before they begin their trip. Marking the 40 kilometer road, you’ll find names and dates that mark brave souls who never made it to the other side.
All this morbid fascination has created a demand for adrenaline tourism, and tour operators conduct bike tours into the region for those who haven’t been deterred by all the stories of danger.