Road block in Bolivia

hendikaf · 10-28-2011, 05:40 PM

I am in Puno right now and just heard that there is some road block done by the indian between Potosi and Uyuni , this could be a problem so if this is true I will avoid the area , if any of you live in Bolivia or just rode this part please PM or respond to this thread as soon as possible .

Thanks a lot

Hendi

Misery Goat · 10-29-2011, 05:52 AM

the protest road blocks in Bolivia are not uncommon. There was a big one in La Paz the day I was leaving to go to Sucre. I rode the shoulder or lane split to the front and they let me through.

I've encountered numerous road blocks in Latin America and have always been able to get through. They are not interested in holding up foreign moto travelers (usually). The common obstacle I've seen is when they drag a number of small trees across the road. Not too difficult to ride over if you get some daylight under the 21.

markharf · 10-30-2011, 11:39 AM

Road blocks are not always safe. Ask as you approach, and usually you'll be encouraged to ride right up and talk to the people in charge. Tell them how sympathetic you are to their cause, and throw in a few heartfelt expressions of your belief in the brotherhood of man and how wonderful their country it. As MG says, you'll usually then be allowed through.

Sometimes not. When confronted by angry young men bearing weapons, it may be best to retreat. I hit one of these in Panama, backed off, and the next day there were killings by soldiers and strikers. It's not all rainbows and unicorns, and some of these people are playing for keeps.

When in doubt about strikes, roadblocks, thieves or civil wars, always ask at the local transport depots: the people who drive the buses, collectivos and trucks always have the best information about troubles and alternate routes.

Mark

cu260r6 · 11-08-2011, 10:29 PM

You haven't really traveled through SA until youv'e talked your way through a Bolivian roadblock! If you approach slowly, whip off your helmet, and greet with with a big smile and a "que tal amigo" you'll be fine. When I was in La Paz the bus drivers were suppposedly striking because they were upset about not being able to drink on the job anymore.

Mekongfrank · 11-15-2011, 08:27 PM

A friend of mind just posted on Facebook that he made it into La Paz trough the roadblocks south of the capital and the demonstrations in town. He came in from Potosi/Oruro. Heed the advice of the guys above. With that kind of strategy I made it trough the blockades in Bolivia a couple of months ago.

10-28-2011, 05:40 PM	#1
hendikaf ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida Oddometer: 495	Road block in Bolivia I am in Puno right now and just heard that there is some road block done by the indian between Potosi and Uyuni , this could be a problem so if this is true I will avoid the area , if any of you live in Bolivia or just rode this part please PM or respond to this thread as soon as possible . Thanks a lot Hendi __________________ Hendi Kaf www.HendiKaf.com

10-29-2011, 05:52 AM	#2
Misery Goat Positating the negative Joined: Jun 2003 Location: AZ Oddometer: 73,600	the protest road blocks in Bolivia are not uncommon. There was a big one in La Paz the day I was leaving to go to Sucre. I rode the shoulder or lane split to the front and they let me through. I've encountered numerous road blocks in Latin America and have always been able to get through. They are not interested in holding up foreign moto travelers (usually). The common obstacle I've seen is when they drag a number of small trees across the road. Not too difficult to ride over if you get some daylight under the 21. __________________ "So what you gonna do when the novelty is gone.."-- Joy Division Same as it ever was 2010 Latin America Route

11-15-2011, 08:27 PM	#5
Mekongfrank Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: RTW 2010-2015. TdF-AK completed. Now East Coast Oddometer: 37	A friend of mind just posted on Facebook that he made it into La Paz trough the roadblocks south of the capital and the demonstrations in town. He came in from Potosi/Oruro. Heed the advice of the guys above. With that kind of strategy I made it trough the blockades in Bolivia a couple of months ago. __________________ Meum est propositum in taberna mori!

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10-30-2011, 11:39 AM	#3
markharf Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Bellingham, Washington Oddometer: 465	Road blocks are not always safe. Ask as you approach, and usually you'll be encouraged to ride right up and talk to the people in charge. Tell them how sympathetic you are to their cause, and throw in a few heartfelt expressions of your belief in the brotherhood of man and how wonderful their country it. As MG says, you'll usually then be allowed through. Sometimes not. When confronted by angry young men bearing weapons, it may be best to retreat. I hit one of these in Panama, backed off, and the next day there were killings by soldiers and strikers. It's not all rainbows and unicorns, and some of these people are playing for keeps. When in doubt about strikes, roadblocks, thieves or civil wars, always ask at the local transport depots: the people who drive the buses, collectivos and trucks always have the best information about troubles and alternate routes. Mark

11-08-2011, 10:29 PM	#4
cu260r6 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 340	You haven't really traveled through SA until youv'e talked your way through a Bolivian roadblock! If you approach slowly, whip off your helmet, and greet with with a big smile and a "que tal amigo" you'll be fine. When I was in La Paz the bus drivers were suppposedly striking because they were upset about not being able to drink on the job anymore.