ICELAND - DAY 8 - JUNE 10

Somehow after my round trip to Gullfoss, which was my 2nd ride in a row, I didn't have the energy to go again the next day. And this hostel was very comfortable. The following day, it was raining from the get go, so that was a non starter. So, after 2 rest days I hit the road. 

Today was cloudy, the sun never came out and a bit drizzly the second half of the day. Temperatures barely got to 50 degrees. These are normal conditions for Iceland. I didn't mind any of it, except I do like some sun for photography, especially when the scenery is so majestic.

I retraced my route through Pingvellir , this time stopping in amazement as hoards of folks in wet suits were getting into freezing water to do a little snorkeling. I'm not sure why. Later I took a minor road heading north that had some gravel and dirt. It wasn't too bad and far fewer cars than the main road. Great views and it culminated on an equally great fjord which I had to go around. Lots of farm animals, waterfalls, and rugged hillsides. 

I stopped at the first place that had lodging, which was a working farm, with some rooms and an area to camp. And they had dinner. I have yet to use my tent. Someday soon I'm sure.

Route;

ICELAND - DAY 8 - JUNE 10

ICELAND - DAY 8 - JUNE 10 Distance 56.83 mi | Time 5:28:18 | Speed 10.4 mph | Elevation 2,510 ft

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DAY 8

DAY 8

ICELAND - DAY 5 - JUNE 7

Today, from the hostel in Laugarvatn, I am in a good spot to do an out-n-back to the end of the ride-able road at Gullfoss. Somehow, the bike is still heavy when I take off a good chunk of the weight I am carrying on it. Overcast for quite awhile, and then like yesterday, the sun came out about 3 PM. This was mostly horse and farming country....and those horses! Believe me when I tell you I know nothing about horses, but these were absolutely gorgeous. From reading, the Viking Age settlers brought the smallest and strongest ones that would fit on their ships for the hard work in Iceland. Icelandic horses are exported to enthusiasts worldwide, but since 982 A.D. none have been imported, so these are all purebred. They are quite a sight.

There is the Geysir Geothermal Field along the road. This is where the word "geyser" originates. Although I didn't walk completely through the area, the main attraction is a geyser called Strokkur (Butter Churn) that erupts every 10 minutes. I did catch a picture of one such eruption. Once you have been to Yellowstone, this place isn't exactly remarkable.

At the end of the road is the Gullfoss Waterfall. I don't have enough grand adjectives to describe it, but I hope my video clips and pictures do it justice. I think I was very lucky to hit a moment in time when the sun was out and rainbows were evident. I did trek down to the lower view point which was quite misty, but you could get a feel for the power of the beast. This river Hvita is coming from glaciers in Iceland's interior. 

The ride back was very pretty with more horses, rivers, and farmlands.

Route;

ICELAND - DAY 5 - JUNE 7

ICELAND - DAY 5 - JUNE 7 Distance 49.26 mi | Time 5:03:29 | Speed 9.7 mph | Elevation 1,460 ft

Relive '18-06-07 - ICELAND - DAY 5'

Relive '18-06-07 - ICELAND - DAY 5' View my ride: 18-06-07 - ICELAND - DAY 5

Pictures;

DAY 5

DAY 5 Folder

ICELAND - DAY 4 - JUNE 6

Today I left Reykjavik to do some of the "Golden Circle", the most heavily tourist-ed area of the country. I took a back road for the first half and it was very empty. It was remote, rugged, wild, and different from anything I had ever seen. I followed a large pipeline that sends boiling hot water to Reykjavik's heating system. It comes from a geothermal power station and I read it carries 250 gallons per minute. The last section of road before the power plant had several 15% grades. From a high point you can see the plant below in my pictures. In the one video, after a plane goes by, you can hear a nearby fumarole hissing.

Then the road goes along a huge lake and the sun slowly emerged around 3 PM. Beautiful sheep or goats (I'm not sure which) were in abundance with lots of babies that always stay close to mom and dad. Further along I entered Pingvellir National Park. That "P" is not a "P", but a letter foreign to us outsiders. It is pronounced, "THING-VETT-leer". This area has great significance to Icelanders as their history goes back over a thousand years. I won't get into any details regarding this here, but you can research it on your own. You can read the placard from one picture. It is all very interesting. There is a great fissure here that separates two giant plates. I am standing in front of a church that was built in 1859, but there were churches here for centuries before.

After the park there was rolling farmland until I arrived in Laugarvatn. The nice building with a green roof is the expensive hostel that I am not staying in. I am in a very adequate International Youth Hostel. In fact, they are not busy right now and I am staying in a private room for the price of a dorm bed. This is the only hostel I have ever been in that requires you to take off your shoes. Clean and neat is the Icelandic way.

Route;

Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect

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DAY 4

DAY 4

ICELAND - DAY 3 - JUNE 5

After 2 short riding days, I'm exhausted, mostly jet-lagged, and the buildup of lost sleep the previous few nights before leaving. Not only that, but very cozy and comfortable at Birgir's place and so I am taking a rest day. I did manage to drag myself down the road for a short grocery trip. No pictures today.

Route;

ICELAND - DAY 3 - JUNE 5

ICELAND - DAY 3 - JUNE 5 Distance 5.00 mi | Time 32:44 | Speed 9.2 mph | Elevation 246 ft

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Relive 'ICELAND - DAY 3' View my ride: ICELAND - DAY 3