Riding in Reykjavic

[merlinmurph]

We're wrapping up a trip to Iceland in Reykjavic and sitting in the airport now ready to head back. We rented bikes to ride around the city and there was a gorgeous path all around the edge of the city and along the waterfront.

Saw a number of people touring on bikes, though this would't be my first choice for riding. Met a great kid named Jackson from VT riding around.

Here's a pic from Reykjavic. Paul Allen's 410 foot yacht was hanging out here.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_20150730_143727_068_zpsesd8x6nd.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_20150730_143727_068_zpsesd8x6nd.jpg.html)

If you're thinking of visiting Iceland, just go.

[Cameron]

If you're thinking of visiting Iceland, just go.

Leaving for a week long stay in an around Reykjavik the day after Thanksgiving this year :hello:

Although it won't really be ideal bike weather that time of year should still be plenty to see/do.

You make it out of Reykjavik at all?

[eBAUMANN]

iceland is my next trip i think, planning to ride the ring road and maybe a bit of the interior depending on time...time of year is going to be critical im thinkin...

[berserk87]

If I had to take a cycling trip overseas, Iceland would be low on my list. I am, however, curious about what it would be like to ride there.

[echelon_john]

Ha! I met Jackson there last week as well. Super nice kid (and fellow Vermonter)! I just had a 2-day layover on the way to Europe, but can't wait to go back. One great meal and one amazing one; FridrickV was really a standout. Dillon Whisky Bar has great music and a good scene.

Love it there!

[nooneline]

Iceland is amazing, Reykjavik is one of my favorite cities, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there. Didn't have a bike during my trip there, which was in March of... '09? '10? Thereabouts. Reykjavik is an explorable, walkable, drink-coffee-all-over-it-able city. And everywhere outside the city is just stunningly beautiful and bizarre. Can't wait to go back!

[d_douglas]

Envy! We travelled a lot while living in Europe and contemplated Iceland several times. We never did it (mostly in favour of returning to Denmark many times) and I wish that we had gone.

Bikes or not, Iceland would be a great place to visit. It's off the typical tourist track and therefore, I think I would like it,

[donalrey]

I was there May of this year and I would love to go back and do the some touring/bike camping around the island. I did see one crazy guy biked through a snow storm.

Here are some pics I took..

https://donalrey.exposure.co/the-land-of-ice

[merlinmurph]

You make it out of Reykjavik at all?

Yeah, we were only in Reykjavic at the end of an 8-day trip - less than 48 hours really. We flew in and immediately headed up to the Westfjords. A drop-dead gorgeous area and very few people go there. There's so few people that you keep running into the same people as you travel around. I had the best fish I've ever had up there - right off the boat. Even though I'm a lousy photographer, I'll say the place is a photographer's wet dream as the light is fantastic for hours.

At the end of the trip, we stayed one night just off the ring road on the south coast, and it was culture shock after being in Westfjords. It was relatively crowded, touristy, and the food went downhill fast (like bad). Admittedly, we were on the golden circle which is probably the busiest, most touristy part of the whole island. The scenery was still gorgeous, just too many people with selfie sticks.

iceland is my next trip i think, planning to ride the ring road and maybe a bit of the interior depending on time...time of year is going to be critical im thinkin...

As far as riding there, I had the same feeling about Iceland that I had with Yellowstone - no, thanks. Honestly, I wouldn't want to get near the ring road on a bike, unless the idea of riding on a narrow, busy, 2-lane road, with cars/buses/trucks whizzing close-by at 90+ kph is your idea of a nice ride. Add in the fact that the drivers might be looking at the scenery and I'd be a nervous wreck. Somebody that's actually ridden there would have a better perspective. Don't want to be a downer, just my 2 krona on things.

I'm headed out on a badly needed ride,
Murph

[Climb01742]

i've been to iceland twice on business. loved it and its people. one of the, if not the, most spectacularly beautiful places i've ever been. in so many ways, it really feels like another world. one thing we did for scouting purposes was charter a single-engine, four-passenger plane and fly over all sorts of amazing scenery. if you could somehow swing that, it only heightens the appreciation of how amazing the landscape and beauty of iceland is. on foot, you see some things. from the air, oh my. my favorite story from iceland:

one of the business people i dealt with in iceland was kind enough to be our unofficial guide and 'fixer'. he drove us everywhere, but i never once saw him lock his car. it was a beautiful white jaguar, very pricey, especially to have it imported to iceland. finally i asked him, aren't you worried someone will steal your unlocked car? his answer: there is one white jag in iceland, mine. and we're an island. so, no, i'm not worried.

[moose8]

I may do this next year: http://www.wowcyclothon.com/ My friends' friends have done it twice and said it's a lot of fun.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/06/news/cyclists-circle-iceland-under-midnight-sun_375304

It wouldn't be for any time but more to do it with some friends. Two of my best friends married Icelanders and live there now. I've been 4 times and am looking forward to returning next year. It's unlike anywhere else I have ever been. The people are super tough.

I also sent a yellow Davidson over to my friend there so if you see a tall guy tooling around on a yellow Davidson in Iceland say hi to Parker.

And if you like hiking you can go on an amazing hike when you're there: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laugavegur

[merlinmurph]

I may do this next year: http://www.wowcyclothon.com/ My friends' friends have done it twice and said it's a lot of fun.


Funny, I read about that ride in the WOW flight magazine on the way back. Looked like a very cool event.

[mvrider]

As it so happens, my wife and I are planning a visit in November, to see the aurora. We plan to follow up with a summer trip for the midnight sun.

Any recommended bike shops in Reykjavic for cool jerseys?

[daker13]

We're wrapping up a trip to Iceland in Reykjavic and sitting in the airport now ready to head back. We rented bikes to ride around the city and there was a gorgeous path all around the edge of the city and along the waterfront. ... If you're thinking of visiting Iceland, just go.

If you wouldn't mind, and without getting too personal, I'd be curious to hear how the numbers worked out. I'd love to go with my family, just curious about the (ballpark) cost.

[merlinmurph]

Any recommended bike shops in Reykjavic for cool jerseys?

The only bike-related store we were in was the place we rented the bikes from - Reykjavic Bike Tours. They had jerseys.

[merlinmurph]

If you wouldn't mind, and without getting too personal, I'd be curious to hear how the numbers worked out. I'd love to go with my family, just curious about the (ballpark) cost.

No problem.
Basically, not cheap.
Flight - $500 on WOW air from Boston, including luggage (an extra $100). This was a good deal.
Car - ~$120/day small Kia diesel, got about a million miles on a tank of fuel
Rooms - $150-200/night, generally included breakfast. FYI, we generally don't spend that much
Dinner - entrees were ~$30+. We were mostly in the boonies with little choice. But the fish was worth it.
Beer - $7.50 for half-litre local brew, generally lagers

If anybody would like specifics, like places we stayed, feel free to send a PM. Again, we didn't do the ring road, we stuck to the west.

Enjoy your ride,
Murph

[OtayBW]

Spent the weekend in Reykjavik a while back while on a layover with Iceland Air. Surprisingly cosmopolitan city. Didn't do too much bicycling, however....

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j42/zelmo_2006/BlueLagoon1910a.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/zelmo_2006/media/BlueLagoon1910a.jpg.html)