Decline USA
Big Bike France
Mountainbike Rider Germany
Onbike Portugal
Kadens Sweden
Tutto MTB Italy
New Zealand Mountainbike Rider NZ
Australia Mountain Bike
Fillari Finland

"Outside it was dark and just past midnight. Parked on the dimly lit street were two Land Cruisers and a crew. They stood in a semicircle, talking and shuffling their feet. The fluorescent streetlights illuminated their breath in the cold air. One of them had short blond hair and huge, scruffy red sideburns. In fact, if you stood him next to Elvis, he'd make 'The King' look like a pre-pubescent teenager. The rest of the mafia appeared to be Bolivian.

We exited the airport through swinging glass doors, and it was on. They were Gravity Bolivia, a mountain bike guiding service based in La Paz. Alistair, with the funky facial hair, was from New Zealand. His guides and drivers
were from La Paz and other regions of Bolivia. After quick introductions, we strapped our bikes to the 4x4s and piled in.

We'd brought a few people ourselves, including riders Cedric Gracia, Dave Watson, Robbie Bourdon, and Carlin Dunne, three 16mm filmers, myself the photographer, and backcountry guide and medic, Demian Whitley, just in case. During the drive into La Paz, Alistair explained the situation. We'd just flown into one of the world's highest commercial airports, which was built at an altitude of 4035 meters. No wonder half the passengers had clapped
upon landing. They were congratulating the pilot for a successful touchdown onto a difficult airstrip.

We were now descending steep stone streets into the heart of the city. The glimmering lights of La Paz sat below us and above, a mountainous landscape stenciled a horizon. We started rattling off questions about the country in
which we'd just arrived, so Alistair gave us some more of the facts. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. An income of 60 Pounds per month is considered middle class. And, its inhabitants cultivate a large portion of
the world's coca leaves. With this plant, they make clothing, paper, tea, and chewing the leaves assists with acclimatization as it increases blood flow throughout the body.

However, the leaves of this same plant can also be processed into cocaine and unfortunately, the demand of this drug, amongst other things, has led to corruption within the government. Although the Bolivian presidential term is
a full five years, Bolivia has had five presidents in the past four years. And while the wealthy live in big houses with all the amenities, the poor live in small, roadside shacks.

He went onto explain that Bolivia is, "Much less developed compared to the surrounding countries. It's the Wild Wild West of South America," he said. "You'll see what I mean tomorrow."