Winter riding, South of the island

tourist · Feb 17, 2014

On the way to the riding area ... We didn't have studs in the bikes or we would have ridden on the ice.

[attachment=0:2iduwmib]Skoda-Husaberg-Suzuki.jpg[/attachment:2iduwmib]

Didn't take pictures of the actual riding, it was too much fun. Didn't realize until afterwards. Frozen volcanic sand is probably the grippiest surface you can ride in, next to having studs on good ice.

tourist · Feb 22, 2014

Better pictures of the trail to the beach:

We drove about a kilometer on glass-smooth ice. After turns, the trailer would swing behind the car in slow-motion, the bikes peeking at us in the rear-view mirror.

tourist · Feb 22, 2014

... there was a local group ride down there last weekend, that's why we went. It's an area with miles and miles of beautiful black beaches and a kilometer-wide kind of desert-slash-shore with tufts of lyme grass on the peaks of the dunes. Well hidden behind a rather uninspiring flatness of potato farms.

We were late after having to fix up the bikes, which included duct-taping an oversize battery to the DR-Z (it was the only battery we could find). Arriving on Sunday afternoon, the group was packing up. "Yeah, just drive out of the village and take the trail marked as the beach. And the ice, yeah, guys, the ice will hold a car, right?" "Yeah!, just follow the tractor trail - that's where the farmer towed the horse carcass to bury it in the sand!" So we followed the tractor trail ... which led us onto the biggest natural skating rink I've ever seen, tractor tire marks cutting directly across it and disappearing somewhere on the sands beyond. We didn't find the horse, but we did ride!

Was finally able to give the 'Berg some proper gas ... VVRBRAAAAAAOOORRPPP!! holy ****, brake!! ... stop, look around - my mate on the Suzuki is now a tiny speck on the horizon. 570's are fun!!

Berg570FE · Feb 25, 2014

Interesting story! It's a bummer you weren't able to get some riding pictures. Maybe next time!!

Are there many "official" or, designated trail systems in Iceland?

GREAT to see a ride report!!

tourist · Mar 2, 2014

Berg570FE said:
Interesting story! It's a bummer you weren't able to get some riding pictures. Maybe next time!!

Are there many "official" or, designated trail systems in Iceland?

GREAT to see a ride report!!

Pics next time for sure!!

The trail system here is very ad-hoc ... the law is quite clear that if there is a visible trail (or if one is shown in official maps), it can be ridden/driven, unless explicitly forbidden or limited to certain modes of transport (e.g. horses). This is wonderful for freedom.

(BUT there's a big gaping hole in that law if you think about it: If enough people illegally drive over pristine land without getting caught, then now there exists a path :/?So there's an actual incentive to tear up new paths. And as the country is quite big, it is often not caught. This is really bad as the topsoil is very fine and plants grow slowly, so a cut in the terrain can take decades to heal, or will often erode into a hard-to-manage wound. Fortunately, people don't do it much though, only some kids or sociopaths once in a while. Buuuut ... we would benefit from a good systematic approach to trails and trail management, and if everyone knew where they could ride - and also where hikers and horse riders can expect motorcycle riders and where not. And we would also do well to get rid of loud exhausts in the highlands ... the loudest bikes and the most reckless riders really create a bad name for the rest of us. As is everywhere I suppose.)

But there are old old horse trails and farming trails and high-voltage-line maintenance roads - some of them quite rough and technical - and mountain roads and smooth-ish gravel roads EVERYWHERE. Riding paradise.

plumbbob · Mar 5, 2014

Hi Tourist,

i'm in Iceland soon, staying near the Blue Lagoon. Any recommendations on must see sights while we're there (apart from finding the farmers old horse).

Sorry for the threadnap.

Carl

tourist · Mar 5, 2014

Much of that area is lovely! We do a lot of riding in that area actually. I'm sure there are hiking routes there. Reykjavík is a 20 minute drive to the east.

When will you be here if I may ask?

plumbbob · Mar 5, 2014

We're actually over next week, i thought it was the week after.......just as well my other half does all the planning!

We are planning on visiting Reykjavik one day and obviously the Blue Lagoon.

Have just seen some ATV safaris on Trip Adviser that sound good.

tourist · Mar 5, 2014

The Lagoon is quite nice if you're in the area - and the ATV tours should be amazing if they're being offered now!! I'd definitely look into that!

Will drop you some restaurant tips in PM

Winter riding, South of the island

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