Tour of Iceland 2006

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Tour of Iceland 2006

Postby sylv » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:00 pm

No, not a new race for those who think Paris-Roubaix is for lightweights. Just something I've thought about for a few years (somehow I'm more attracted to cold than hot countries) and think might well do this summer over two weeks - to do something different than the usual cycling holiday in the Alps, instead seeing glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, lunar landscapes and such. I'm writing this partly so as to put it on record and that I don't bail out of doing it later!

The plan (all of a few days in the making) is to get a cheap(ish) flight with Icelandair with bike and ride as much as possible of a 950-odd-mile route which takes on inland and coastal areas. Depending on (the unreliable) weather there are buses which take bikes and can help crank up the mileage on bad days.

I'm thinking of building one of my mtb frames with sturdy but fast-rolling tires, rigid forks and good solid parts, and get a one-wheeled trailer that attaches to the dropouts, to carry light camping equipment, clothes food etc. I have no eyelets for racks and think I would prefer having the weight behind the bike than on it which makes the handling awkward (especially on rough roads).

I'm planning to do this end July to start of August. Best time weather-wise and looooong days. Iceland is expensive but when you camp most of the time it can't be that bad.

If you have such experience of long treks in unauspiscious lands I'd like to hear about them, and also any advice (except against doing it :wink: ) on equipment etc (if someone's got a good trailer, light waterproof tent for sale (mine is only showerproof)).

[img]http://home.wanadoo.nl/erens/maps/circleroad.gif[/img]
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Postby David Lombari » Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:05 pm

Sylv,

There's a feature in this month's C+ about touring in Iceland.

Haven't read it yet but good photos.
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Postby sylv » Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:28 pm

Nice one, thanks Dave.
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Postby Jon H » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:22 pm

Sounds like an epic trip in the making. When you get to about point 7 on your map, you can quote that famous Icelander Magnus Magnusson and say "I've started so I'll finish".
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Postby jon avery » Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:03 pm

Jon that was awfull!
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