....although this has been paved, so a little less dangerous than it was.

I would add that the dirt road from Urique to Batopilas is probably the most challenging of many challenging roads in Copper Canyon. This was told to me by Ivan from The 3 Amigos Adventures, Creel, who rides there regularly and is a long-time supporter of HU. He was at the 2004 HU meeting in Creel.

I think Drwnite has played it down and can give a good first-hand update...Dave?

PN

Ivan is correct and a real gentleman, I had the good fortune to pull up right outside his shop ;-) The dirt road from about 70 K's outside Creel to Urique, Batopilas and on to Guachochi is the most challenging road I've travelled, on 2 wheels anyway ;-)

Conditions can change fast, like the Batopilas River, I got up at 4am to check due to being warned it was going to flood, nothing! Went back, checked again at 5am and it had risen 4 meters and it rose a further 3! Then there was the ride out, 9 hours going for it, man what a mission, muddy roads, 2700m passes and plenty of creek crossings! My water bottle slipped out from under the ocky straps between Urique and Batopilas due to the footy sized rocks covering the road! The result 4 hours no water! I was drier than a pommy's towel! Funny once I got to Batopilas I all but jumped the counter to get a drink, well maybe I did ;-) Go prepared!

A couple of very dodgy locals in Guachochi, the local head of the electricity company, Hector turned up just as things were heading towards WTF? To ginger grins and photos! Hector saved the day and told me I was very lucky he turned up and I didn't run into these guys after dark! Despite it all, I'd do it again at the drop of a hat!

Mate, the one thing I regret is not taking more photos, you're going to love every inch of it !

Did it in bicycle in December, no rain most of the month, and no people, after New years eve I've heard it's packed with people.

Peru...not western USA
 

(Crossed posted to another thread by accident)
The Death Road of Bolivia historically was a very dangerous road. Since a modern highway was built across the valley that runs in twisting parallel, its my impression that the heavy truck traffic has moved off the narrow road with its sheer drop offs. Yet the accidents continue.

Definitely worth a ride. You can't really say you rode Bolivia without going there. When I was there the road was mostly trafficked by by clots of mountain bikers brought by the van load from backpacker hostels in La Paz.

The road up the backside of Machu Picchu from Santa Maria to Santa Teressa is rather hair raising and includes several water crossing those depth depends solely of the amount of recent rainfall. If you plan to visit Peru and want to ride as close as possible to Macchu Picchu, then have your camera ready. There are easier ways to get there, but who wants to go that way? No bragging rights what so ever.

http://goo.gl/maps/GDvW7

My Peruvian Choice
 

In South America, take the roads less traveled. From Cusco head south to Espinar. Thereafter, you will not be disappointed as you cross the Andes to Orcopampa. If that suits you continue to Cotahuasi the world's deepest canyon. Be mindful of 'La Tocha.' The road surface of
[IMG]http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/...psc8dee00e.jpg[/IMG]
Devil's Powder provides plenty of pucker power.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Gives me a lot to chew over :)

South America is packed with great challenging roads, I don't really like to name names, it doesn't seem in the spirit of things and a big part of any tough road is the mental aspect: not knowing what is coming.

any back road in Indiana during Farming activity....like now. Trucks,tractors with planters, and semis parked and moving everywhere. Very common to come around a blind curve, and meet one taking up the entire roadway.

You may be gone by now.But the Yungas Road in Bolivia was a let down for me. There are a couple good photo ops. But when I got to the top,where it meets the new road,I turned around and went back down a ways. I thought I must have missed a turn off,where the scary stuff was. It was a very dangerous road when there was 2 way traffic trying to edge past others in tight spots. And as steep as the mountains are,many people were killed from landslides when it rained.

I want to dido what Peter Bodtke said above. The road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa was unnerving. I rode it at night in the rain and lightening because a landslide had a road blocked for hours earlier. What was supposed to be a 9 mile route into Santa Teresa from Santa Maria was 13 miles. I may have been off course.

As for dangerous roads in the USA, they aren't allowed. You didn't say if you were looking for dangerous paved roads or if trails were on your list. The Black Bear Pass going into Telluride,Colorado is a short scenic ride by a steep drop off. In nearby Moab,Utah there are many off road rides. Lions Back,Baby Lions Back,Hells Revenge are a few interesting very short rides that go up narrow red rock ridges. Not to be done on a touring bike. Google "Lions Back Moab images" for some great pictures of the area.

You can also find some rock arches to ride across. This area is near the top of my list for places to visit. I wish it was 1500 miles closer to my home.