El Choro | Part 2

Picking up where we left off last week on lower El Choro Trail in La Paz, Bolivia. #followcamfriday all-time favorite with Thomas Woodson, Carston Oliver, Jubert Guachalla and Joey Schusler.

El Choro is so epic that it deserved two episodes. I mean, a 12K descent isn't easily summed up with just one. Perhaps this is why I love this trail so much. The terrain we were treated to on the upper section couldn't have been  more different than this lower bit. Variety, spice of life. 

What began in the desolate alpine of the Bolivian Andes at 16,000ft, has now given way to a jungle rainforest. Classic Inca cobbles have been replaced by slippery rocks is a tunnel of green. In all of my years of riding, I have never encountered such a contrast as we have here on El Choro. I'm still scratching my head. 

We must have ridden across 10 of these bridges. Here, Joey Schusler exhibits proper technique. If you have ever ridden one of these old-school works of art, you will know how scandalous things become when more than one rider tries to cross at a time. Basically, a wave from the riders weight ripples across the span and unsettles everyone involved, Think trampoline.... Just narrow and above a 10 meter drop into the river. Everything is perfectly fine. 

We were all relatively smoked at this point and the trail was unreasonably technical. Now, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have it any other way, but we are basically passengering hard at this point. Hanging on for dear life, laughing the entire way down the trail at the sheer absurdity of this descent. Lifetime memories. 

When the logs are parallel to the trail, spicy times are in store. Why wouldn't you place the logs like this in the wettest and most technical part of the trail. Everything is fine. 

Definitely craving some tequila at this point. If you were going to choose an Agave to crash into, that would not be the one. So delicious though. 

The lower third of this trail was the breaking point of my camera gear. I was actually impressed how long it lasted in the rain. I wasn't going to let that dampen our spirits, no pun intended. Filming is rarely the goal, just something I try and do when things line up right. This trail is forever burned into my brain, crappy GoPro footage or not. It's nice to be able to share it with the world and all, but at the end of the day, experiencing these moments of ridiculousness in real life are why I still ride bicycles. We finished just before dark, soaking wet, happy, and as satisfied as I can ever recall being.