Bolivia | Sorata

Jun 16, 2011 at 16:15

by Marco Toniolo

Rene catching some air.

Bolivia is amazing. The landscape, the people and the trails are stunning, the light is a dream for every photographer and the constant blue sky during the winter there is something most Europeans simply don't have. Luckily Bolivia is located in the southern hemisphere, that means the best time of the year to go there is around June, when in Europe you have to wake up at 4 A.M to catch the sunrise light.

We woke up in the wet fog of the valley, went up to the pass and found this view.

In the 4 blogposts (once a week, starting from today) I am going to show you 4 different spots in Bolivia. Honestly, I would have never found them without the help of Alistair Matthew, our guide and owner of Gravity Bolivia. The Kiwi with the red beard has been living there for 12 years now. He started the "World's Most Dangerous Road" ride many years ago, managed to get it into the Lonely Planet and made a living out of it. If you ask him for the best ride in Bolivia he will not answer with the 68km descent on the Death Road, where his company brings around 6000 people per year, but one of the amazing trails he or his team have scouted. One of these is the Loma-Loma trail in Sorata.

Jerome had some stomach problems during this day...

First: that trail has been built by Travis some years ago, an American guy who lives in Sorata most of the year and offers rides in that region.
Second: Loma-Loma would be the perfect descent for a Megavalanche, so I asked Rene Wildhaber and Jerome Clementz, both winners of that race in the past years, to join me on this trip to Bolivia. You can see in the video and in the photos why Sorata was one of your four stops.

These locals where going to La Paz by car and could not believe their eyes when they popped out of the fog into the sun. Even bigger was their surprise in meeting some riders up here (the pass is at 4200 meters).

The clouds remained there the whole day. They come from the jungle, just one mountain range behind Sorata

You cannot keep an Italian guy (the one behind the lenses) too long away from a pizza.

I know, I've already taken this photo two years ago, my first time in Bolivia. But I love this shot anyway and now I have it also on video!

Bolivians love riding our bikes: kids and adults the same way.

The rising clouds where amazing. Watch the video to see them moving.

Jerome after one night on gin tonic at the Oasis Ecolodge.

The trail has a vertical drop of 1500 vertical meters: from 4200 to 2700m.

Enjoy the silence.

Last photo of the day

Author Info:

Marco-IT

Member since Mar 27, 2010
16 articles

Report

Must Read This Week

Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64627 views

Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
46737 views

Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44591 views

Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44511 views

Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39688 views

Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38191 views

[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38154 views

Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37278 views

PB Newsletter Signup

88 Comments

64 1

jbirimen (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:42)

Don't know about you guys, but I see about 4 or 5 POD worthy pics... and one VOD btw

It's just epic this...

11 0

dave6797 (Jun 17, 2011 at 3:34)

every one of these photos deserve pod!

charlie079 (Jun 17, 2011 at 4:58)

Well we all know the very top picture will be POD soon! And this was just an article which makes me wanna go out and ride...But its pouring down...Oh well!!

Great photos!

c25porter (Jun 17, 2011 at 6:55)

Definetly some POD's my favorite is the first pic, really makes me want to go out and ride.

LaxinDHrider (Jun 17, 2011 at 7:49)

i would be so tempted to jump/ride onto the clouds

Morsinator (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:51)

This really shows the essence of mountain biking as a whole.

r8mac24 (Jun 17, 2011 at 11:58)

best singletrack in the world?

plwaidner (Jun 18, 2011 at 9:22)

Epic on a daily basis here

gravitybolivia (Jun 20, 2011 at 8:04)

We can´t wait to see what else Marco has in store! After his 2 weeks of shooting with us, there´s certainly more in store! Here at GravityBolivia.com we have a special two week riding program that follows the same route that Marco, Jerome, and Rene took with us. Get in touch, and come see how Epic the Bolivian Andes really are!

14 0

darkmuncan (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:14)

no like using front wheel?

Awesome shots.

Thanks for making my friday!

bigdan30 (Jun 17, 2011 at 7:21) (Below Threshold)

almost every shot had at least one front wheel off the ground haha

evomtb (Jun 17, 2011 at 14:52)

and captain obvious strikes again...

12 2

WAKIdesigns (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:51)

Epicalypse... now how to get their fitness and skill level to be able to ride it to the full, at the same time have the money for such trips?

Getting a rich business woman looking for an adventureous reliationship is the only thing coming to my mind...

sheiffa (Jun 19, 2011 at 8:29)

sounds convincing

gravitybolivia (Jun 20, 2011 at 8:07)

WAKI, It´s really not as expensive as you would think! Once you´ve got the plane ticket, Bolivia is a really cheap country! And with trails like this, the bang for your buck is out of this world! But if you do find that rich business woman, see if she´s got sisters for me!

WAKIdesigns (Jun 20, 2011 at 8:54)

nay... I'm happily married, so too late for me...

andeanepics (Jun 17, 2011 at 16:41)

That's two times you've been over to poach my trails, Toniolo, don't let me catch you over there again...haha, just a joke. maybe if you come back i'll show you the rest..
Doble Avalancha 2011 October 2,3 Day One Loma Loma. Day Two Chuchu
andeanepics.blogspot.com/2010/11/doble-avalancha-2010-day-one.html
andeanepics.blogspot.com/2010/11/doble-avalancha-day-two.html
www.andeanepics.com
andeanepics@gmail.com

Marco-IT (Jun 18, 2011 at 10:28)

Hey Travis, I tried to link your site andeanepics.com but it did not work. And sorry, I forgot the downhill race. I will write about it in the next post.

crunchss (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:13)

Holy views, Batman!!

Bulls-On-Parade (Jun 17, 2011 at 4:13)

This is great guys! I'm Bolivian and haven't had the chance to do some real biking in the country. It's really cool to see some great riding here, I can't wait to go back!

CohenF (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:29)

We had the pleasure of riding with the same company in Bolivia. Didn't make it to Sorata but a lot of lesser travelled tails outside of La Paz. An amazing place. Now I'm disappointed that we didn't have the time to get to Sorata.

ivanw001 (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:01)

Amazing shots!!! I rode with the awesome Gravity crew back in October on some epic trails outside of the capital city La Paz. I need to find these trails next time I go down! Great Post. POD for sure.

gravitybolivia (Jun 20, 2011 at 8:10)

Marco will be sending out lots of photos and videos from other trails too! Keep watching for them on Pinkbike! Hope to ride with you again soon Ivan!

TheTrailSailor (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:41)

This article is full of PODs. Very nice work!!

mundi (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:01)

Great shots Marco! You and Bolivia always seem to come up with the goods. And great to see Alistair still rocking some mad chops and pimping Mountainbiking in Bolivia.

hg604 (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:08)

There is an fairytale written in those photos. Thank you so much Marco for the awesome photos and the total lack of pretentious narration.

fantaman (Jun 17, 2011 at 4:24)

Downhills that are hours long is a dream for many bikers

Tejj (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:43)

haha exactly, thats what my dream looked like before seeing that video.

Iberian (Jun 17, 2011 at 7:28)

Well done, I really like the addition of the (what I assume) local music. The other part that helps make the video good is the conversation. Doesn't come off like an interview or some pre-written marketing.

LTmtb (Jun 17, 2011 at 11:16)

the song means long days, but they were definitely very enjoyable long days!

thrice (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:24)

Amazing. I saw the pictures and article with the music background from the movie. Totally agree with the pictures being POD worthy.

Shibuyakid (Jun 17, 2011 at 15:14)

Marco Toniolo, the author of the photo is also a great rider and runs the best italian MTB forum! Kudos to Marco!!

alesita78 (Jun 20, 2011 at 18:59)

I WROTE THE ABOVE COMMENT, IN FIRST PLACE TO CONGRATULATE FOR AMAZING PHOTOS MR MARCO TONIOLO IN ANY TIME WANTED TO OFFEND YOU AND I WANT TO DO PUBLIC!, NOT PERHAPS DISTURB SO YOUR WORK IS FABULOUS.I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY MR TONIOLO AND OTHERS AND FUTURE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME HERE BOLIVIA SORATA LOMA LOMA LA PAZ THAT THE PATHS ARE ALL WORKED AND MADE BY HANDS AND MUCH WORK OF MAURICIO JORDAN CHAMPION NATIONAL OF DOWN HILL AND BY TRAVIS GRAY.And only please contact with andeanepics or with Mauricio Jordan who know of many more places in SORATA and LOMA LOMA. AND IT IS NOT FAIR “ THE GRAVITY GROUP” TAKE POSSESSION OF ALL THE CREDITS IN THOSE PLACES DO NOT THE MAKE THEM. THAT'S ALL. Thanks a lot.

trialsjj (Jun 24, 2011 at 14:55)

What an amazing ride and to spend the greater part of the day escorted by pillow like clouds just all the better cheers to all who got to ride this trail

hooKedOn (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:29)

Yes, new desktop background! Only question now is... which one?!? : P

sngltrkmnd (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:44)

Terrific photos. Thanks for posting!

harm (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:07)

Speachless! POD (Post of the Day!)

maksyk (Jun 17, 2011 at 6:06)

unreal beautiful photo!!!!

thatsallfolks (Jun 18, 2011 at 4:42)

"They have a socialist president so the build the landings to the left"- genius.

caldwellvisuals (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:46)

oh my days . i want to go to bolivia. just stunning!

vonichi (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:23)

Amazing location!
though a bit disappointed for the absence of pigface in the video

faaz (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:50)

go somewhere as nice and beautiful as that, and yet they ride so fast there's no chance they can be seeing the view shame

leelau (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:08)

If you've ever been on a video or photoshoot you'd know there's lots of takes and consequently lots of time to smell the roses. Also, I'd imagine that the fastest or most exciting parts of the trail were on video and the riders were asked to go fast for the camera. Attention-deficit viewers rarely appreciate true-to-life riding scenes where there is indeed time to look at and enjoy views. Fantastic images btw

faaz (Jun 18, 2011 at 11:52)

Ok I appreciate that, but even so they are giving the impression they are riding fast and not absorbing the scenery, which I don't feel the MTB scene should be about.

dirtbiker100 FL (Jun 17, 2011 at 5:42)

Wow. that is what mountain biking really is. The true essence of it.

wa2wider (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:28)

It reminds me of the riding above Zermatt.

Vulpine (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:58)

Amazing places.. "this is riding over the clouds"! Exelent photos and video edit!! go to favourites!!

edr2 (Jun 17, 2011 at 14:53)

If I dead and go heaven, wish I go there and ride with friends all eternity.

beeekay (Jun 21, 2011 at 14:55)

That's a bunch of professionals there, across the board - riders, photographer, and guide. Way to go Bolivi-shredders !

takamine206 (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:46)

what type of helmet is that green one?

clemson (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:22)

www.bluegrasseagle.com/legend/55-brave

batmanmen (Jun 17, 2011 at 4:47)

title of music? next video where I must ask this stupid question.

ChineseSpoon (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:35)

wow, absolutly amazing shots

svdhrider (Jun 17, 2011 at 20:48)

I got a flat tire but i am a professional so i change out the wheel

Views (Jun 18, 2011 at 10:07)

a dream of a trip, you guys are blessed, love it!

mountguitars (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:26)

bolivia is so dreamy! its like biking in heaven! the tits for sure.

clemson (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:15)

f******ing amazing. great shots

chyu (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:20)

The scratch has no front brake lever?

bikeaddict123 (Jun 17, 2011 at 5:10)

it does it's just pointing right at the camera

man-wolf (Jun 17, 2011 at 1:31)

These photos are bad-f.ucking-ass

Worm-Burner (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:22)

Beautiful article...but Marco...did you spot The Pig...?

stucon (Jun 17, 2011 at 3:12)

looked like a stunning place to ride man!!! good times!

Luke-VTT (Jun 17, 2011 at 3:42)

Epic shots, great Vid. As always. Thumbs up!

kkroto80 (Jun 17, 2011 at 6:44)

@2:14 did he say "socialism pestilence"?

Vulpine (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:00)

"socialism president"

manuelangel (Jun 17, 2011 at 7:16)

greeaaat great photos!!!

pdxkid (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:51)

nshoregal (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:30)

The latest addition to my bucket list!

luli79 (Jun 17, 2011 at 11:03)

I'm diggin' Rene's snow leopard graphics on his ride.

monkei (Jun 17, 2011 at 12:09)

Just added Bolivia to my list...

nouser (Jun 17, 2011 at 15:47)

this makes all mountain riding look cool

watawongo (Jun 19, 2011 at 7:46)

proprio una figata!!! spetácolo!!

karolek95 (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:39)

Great.

nouser (Jun 17, 2011 at 11:56)

Stunning views!

joaquincarrascosearle (Jun 19, 2011 at 21:30)

epic... mtb dream

dnsukraine (Jun 17, 2011 at 0:17)

awesome!!

dom69foco (Jun 17, 2011 at 2:28)

ohhhh take me!

intrepidbiped (Jun 17, 2011 at 12:07)

that's what she said!

dom69foco (Jun 17, 2011 at 15:15)

awww yeah

dhjose1 (Jun 17, 2011 at 5:35)

that is amazing,

romich (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:09)

POD are here!

lalo68 (Jun 17, 2011 at 8:55)

Bellisimo!

captainbringdown Mod (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:19)

what a sweet trip.

ueric1231 (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:22)

this beginning looked like a outback commercial!

pdxkid (Jun 17, 2011 at 9:52)

I want that Toyota!

Rawkus777 (Jun 17, 2011 at 10:30)

POD's everywhere!

Below threshold threads are hidden