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70-Year-Old Grandmother Beats Bolivia’s ‘Death Road’ Race

By Monica Buck

Mirtha Munoz became the oldest-ever competitor to finish the 60km Skyrace. The route copies the infamous ‘Death Road’, probably the most dangerous road in the world, which has claimed thousands of lives over the years. The riders start in the lowland jungles of Bolivia and finish on the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, climbing over 3,300 metres in the process.

The 70-year-old took up cycling on the advice of her family and a psychologist to help her cope with a family tragedy. After the unexpected death of her son, Mirtha Munoz has cycled more and more and sees the extreme Skyrace just as a natural progression of her passion.

“He (the psychologist) told me… the bike could help me get through my pain, and to rebuild,” she said to Reuters.

Overcoming the fog, rockslides and cliffs of the ‘Death Road’, however, isn’t Munoz’s idea of a perfect ride.

“It’s a vertical climb, you go up and up and there’s no rest,” she admitted after finishing the race.

She rather enjoys cycling in the company of her 6 grandchildren. So, hats off to your achievement, Mirtha, and we wish you and your family many more happy rides.