Red Bull X-Fighter Jams tours around that world to crazy locations which often pose some unusual challenges. The most recent challenge was in La Paz Bolivia at the end of last year.
The challenge here was that the city was one of the highest in the world, where we would be riding at an altitude of 3600m above sea level. Up at that altitude there is very little oxygen in the air so not only did I feel short of breath all the time, but my bike looses 30% of its power. We thought that the fuel injected KTM 350 would be the best bike for the job. The bike is a little heavier but because of the fuel injection it would run better at the altitude than the std 250 2stroke I normally ride. I practiced on the bike at home a bit but nothing could prepare me for the altitude.
I arrived in La Paz and the lack of air didn’t affect me straight away but after a while I just felt drained and I had to stop and take a few big breaths. It’s a strange feeling.
I started my bike and had a little ride around the car park of the arena where we were doing the event and yeah, I could really feel the lack of power. I was a bit worried about jumping the bike, as I had never ridden at this altitude.
Once all the ramps were setup I had a practice and the first jump was really scary, but perfect. I didn’t flip the bike in practice because I really didn’t think it would be possible.
The show started and about 20 000 people came storming into the stadium. I really didn’t expect that many people but that just got me even more pumped up. I started the show and halfway through it I just had to do it. I pulled for the flip and without a doubt I new I could do it. I landed the flip which made me the first rider in the world to flip at 3600m above sea level. The next highest flip was at about 2000m in France.
On to the next challenge…
Cheers, Nick.
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