as mentioned elsewhere - sorry for the late response.
bonzo_bcn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:25 pm
@Alpinum I was starting to plan the trip and I have a few questions to ask you if you dont' mind:
We can do this ride between July and the 15th of September. You mentioned it is best to do it end of August/beginning of September, is that when the river crossings should be at their lowest?
Yep. And some more benefits, at least from my perspective:
Alpinum wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 9:34 am
For most of my trips I went between mid August and mid September and believe it's the best time during "summer" months to visit. No snow melt, less glacier run off (easier fords) and storms (extratropical cyclones) can be forecasted many days in advance, so you know when those silly wind speed will hit (give or take half a day). You'll still want a strong tent, which doesn't mean heavy (see above mentioned brands).
The polar willow will be in full autumn colours at that time of year, it's quite something to behold.
Nights are dark enough for Northern lights.
Once you ride off the Highlands in the SW, you'll be with the tourist masses, which are still huge in September, but way less than June - August. Busses eg from Landmannalaugar to Reykjavik usually run until the second weekend in September, which may come in handy.
bonzo_bcn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:25 pmThere is a non profit organised trip on the 12th of August, the plan is the following:
Day 1 - Arrive at Keflavik Airport - transport to accommodation at Reykjavik
Day 2 - Prepare kit and bikes.
Day 3 - Early morning transport to Akureyri. Start the route ride 52km to Godafoss.
Day 4 - Godafoss to Botni 60km
Day 5 - Botni hut to Kistufell 81km
Day 6 - Kistufell hut to Nyidalur 57km
Day 7 - Nyidalur to Versalir 56km
Day 8 - Versalir to Alftavant 144km (may split this day)
Day 9 - Alftavant to Öldufellsleiõ 43km
Day 10 - Öldufellsleiõ to Vik 69km, transport back to Reykjavik
Day 11 - Celebrations and Pack bike etc
Day 12 - Depart Iceland
(I think Day 2 and 11 are unneeded as we could pack and fly on the same day).
I was thinking on maybe joining given the difficulty of the route, it will be safer to do in a group, what do you think? (my son prefers to go by ourselves).
Seems like a good plan, except that I suggest to take your time unpacking and packing - getting last things sorted, visit a few places in Reykjavik, dip in the sea and the pool at Skylagoon for example.
Day 7: there's a lovely alternative route (to the F26 - Sprengisandur) just a couple of km after Nyidalur which takes you due NW first, soon West on a faint but smooth track, then South along wide gravel tracks and absolutely stunning views of the Þjórsá river with it's breeding area for pink-footed geese and more stunning views of the near Hofsjökull. At Versalir this alternative joins the Divide route on the F26. There's also a few options for camping and fresh water along this section. I've enjoyed some of the most unforgettable moments (just the nice kind of unforgettable ;-)) in this area.
Day 8: yep, you may want to split that one. I've headed in the direction of the Fjallabak on three occasions and everytime it was hard going in strong headwinds. The first part is fast. Rough (if not freshly graded) but it's all downhill. Then some tarmac which will feel fast after the days in the Highlands, but then up and into the Fjallabak, which can be a bit slower again. Probably also one of the busiest tracks, so expect some jeeps passing with passengers celebrating your effort and offering drinks and food. Not too far off route is Landmannahellir - some huts, spots for tent and lovely lakes and green hills all around.
[quote=bonzo_bcn post_id=318995 time=1705253114 user_id=4165
If we go on our own: how did you manage the bike boxes? Did you get a taxi to the hotel with the bikes boxed and asked them to keep the boxes? For the transport to Akureyri/Vik, I was planning on using a Straeto bus, but I read they don't always have bike racks.
[/quote]Yeah, I left them in the hostel/hotel. Bike would travel unboxed and unprotected (basically ready to ride) on the busses. If they don't have racks, you'll be able to put them inside the belly of the bus. Never was a problem, the drivers (mostly) seem very used to it and every so happy to help. Sometimes I'd email or call them, but it never seemed to be neccessary. Pay close attention to the timetables, check them 1-2 days prior (again). The bus hub for Reykjavik is in Mjóddin. I found it easiest to ride there myself; it's a nice (probably about) 20 min ride from the city center on cylce paths. Depending on how you ride, you can pick up goodies from one of the bakeries. Should you need a bus from the Fjallabak back to Reykjavik/Mjódd, make sure it's tied down well (eg to the spare tyre) - it's well bumpy.