A 70-year old biking grandmother conquers Bolivia's 'Death Road'

Offbeat

Reuters
06 October, 2019, 10:25 am
Last modified: 06 October, 2019, 10:37 am
Munoz took up biking on the advice of her family and a psychologist friend after her son died unexpectedly
Mirtha Munoz a 70-year-old runner participates in the Sky Race, Bolivia's toughest cycling competition - Bolivia Skyrace - La Paz, Bolivia - October 5, 2019 Mirtha Munoz shows her medals at home before the the Sky Race. The route known as "The way of death" to reach 4000 meters in the Andean mountains/ Reuters

Bolivia´s "Death Road" might seem an odd place for a septuagenarian grandmother on two wheels.

The world´s most dangerous road spirals skyward nearly 11,000 feet, from the country´s lowland jungles to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Fog, rain, rockslides and sheer cliffs are main attractions. The road has likely claimed thousands of lives.

But for 70-year old Bolivian Mirtha Munoz, the oldest ever competitor in Bolivia´s 60 km (37 mile) Skyrace, an extreme bike racing competition, it was a natural extension of a passion she picked up years ago.

Mirtha Munoz a 70-year-old runner participates in the Sky Race, Bolivia's toughest cycling competition - Bolivia Skyrace - La Paz, Bolivia - October 5, 2019 Mirtha Munoz during training before the the Sky Race. The route known as "The way of death" to reach 4000 meters in the Andean mountains/ Reuters

Munoz took up biking on the advice of her family and a psychologist friend after her son died unexpectedly.

"He told me ... the bike could help me get through my pain, and to rebuild," she said.

Saturday´s race was a pinnacle achievement, no pun intended.

Mirtha Munoz a 70-year-old runner participates in the Sky Race, Bolivia's toughest cycling competition - Bolivia Skyrace - Yolosa, La Paz, Bolivia - October 5, 2019 Competitors in action during the Sky Race. The route known as "The way of death" to reach 4000 meters in the Andean mountains/ Reuters

"It´s a vertical climb, you go up and up and there´s no rest," she told Reuters upon finishing the race.

Munoz, one of the race´s founders, says she enjoys more low-key bike-riding with her six grandchildren, though admits she hopes the eldest, now approaching 18, will soon follow in her tracks.

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