Iceland 2013 anyone?
 

Howdy,
planning on riding solo around Iceland next year.
Planning on taking my bike in the Ferry leaving Denmark, spending around a week or so, and then back in the boat.
Anyone hesitating to go that would be interested in joining for a Brew on board?
Any hints on local contacts, biker friendly clubs and/or spots would be welcome.

Safe rides.

Tentative but thinking about it. Have from 08 August but must be back in London for 02 September.

iceland 2013
 

hi
im looking for a trip in 2013 im of from 10th june till 28th june.are you camping or hosteling.

Likely to be going out on 6 August sailing from Hirtshals, back on the 15 August sailing from Seyðisfjörður.

Iceland is indeed fantastic! Was there with the bikes in 2011. Would love to go back. We camped most of the time. Costed very little money and we bought food in stores and cooked our own food most of the time.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6150/5...5692a193e6.jpg
The landscape goes from looking like you´re on the moon to very green and beautiful.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6009/6...14ae21277d.jpg
Petrol station on Iceland.... :clap:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/6...64a5287374.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6003/5...a243c1c4ea.jpg
Totally amazing to see steam coming out of the ground as you ride by.....

We stayed in Reykjavik for two nights but that was actually the less interesting part of the trip. A very small "big" city but it looks rather much like any other city in Europe. The countryside is soo much more interesting. We decided to try some traditional icelandic food while in Reykjavik and we found this place. Said "Traditional Icelandic dishes" on the sign.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6140/6...b3a2386969.jpg

And what was the name of the place? "Tabasco´s - Mexican bar and grill".We did not enter.... :laugh:

We arrived at Seyðisfjörður where we met up our fantastic islandic friends learned to know the year before. And then we went up to Akureyn via Myvatn and some other places. And then we went up on the highlands and visited Dimmuborgir, Godafoss, Geysir and Thingvellir before heading down to Reykjavik. We took the southern ring road back to Seyðisfjörður. VERY windy at times along the southern ring road. We almost blew off the bikes when coming over the hill down to Vik. Very close call. And extremely foggy out east. Could hardly see 20 meters if even that far. But Iceland was fantastic. I would actually recommend to go off at Faroe Islands and drive around there for a couple of days and take the next ferry to Iceland. The Faroe Islands was also a great (!!) visit and the two and a half days (if I don´t remember wrong) that you get if you drive off the ferry in Tórshavn and then take the next ferry to Iceland is rather enough time to drive around on the main islands on the Faroe Islands.

This is the route we took.....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8...cfa6323b_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8...3ee52cdf_z.jpg

Forgot to turn the Spot tracker on for some days so the route from Fljótsdalshérað, Myvatn, Akureyn towards Varmahlíð is unfortunately not on the map. Sorry for that. But we did not take the northern ring road for much of that ride. Took a more southern route over the northern highlands if I don´t remember things wrong. Have to ask Unnur and Högni who guided us around. Wonderful people indeed. Iceland is fantastic!!

//J

Excellent; thanks. The first thing I've learned is that Seyðisfjörður is on the east side of the island! Where's that, "Planning: is it really necessary?" thread? doh

Hey Hellboy,

I'm pretty sure we met near the Blunda power station at N65.16 W19.73. This should be you (not the sheep, the riders):
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5333/115pip.jpg

... and this was us:
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/1...ddinandpip.jpg

Here's more about our trip: Planless on Iceland - ADVrider

Anyway, I'm considering another Iceland trip this summer - Wanna meet?
bier

Greetings,

Pip

Ha ha ha! :) Yeah that is us. Good fun. :) I recall you as well had stickers from Motocamp Bulgaria and Balkans Orange Adventures etc on your bikes. I and my gf met our islandic friends Unnur and Högni at the motocamp two years earlier and that was basicly the reason for us being on Iceland. And then you guys showed up with the same stickers on your bikes as we had on ours.... Gave us a giggle I recall. :) Good fun to find you here as well. Small world.... ;)

All the best and ride safe.

Sincerely//Jan

lol :) Yeah Seyðisfjörður is pretty much on the opposite side of the island than Reykjavik. Iceland is actually a bigger island than one can imagine when looking at a map. Takes at least 10 hours to go from Seyðisfjörður to Reykjavik on a bike on a sunny day. The southern ring road is around 720 kilometers and the northern ring road is pretty much the same distance. Go across the island over the highlands takes lots (!!) longer. Iceland is fantastic and very diverse. We choose to drive off the ferry in Torshavn to spend three days on the Faroe Islands and then we took the next ferry three days later to Iceland. Spent 7 days on Iceland but could easily spend another week there. Lots to see. But one week was good enough for a first visit. Can´t see anything at once since we won´t have a reason to go back then..... ;)

The Faroe Islands are also well worth a visit. Three days there was actually perfect. Just enough time to see the main islands and a good warm up to Iceland.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6130/5...8bf275b8_z.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6017/5...1803de33_z.jpg

Beautiful....

Cheers//Jan

I've just spent an hour or so reading the advrider trip report and now want to go more than ever, all my mates are married or have kids though and can no way get a pass for a week or two.

Is anyone still planning to go? I'm tempted (When I get around to replacing my recently sold 650GS with an 800GS) which may be as soon as this weekend.

Still not 100% certain but still planning for these dates.

Wildman, do you have a plan for when you're there or will you just take it as it comes? Are you looking for fellow motorcyclists to join you at all? if so, camping or? Cheers - Dan

Hi Dan

Honestly, no firm plan as yet. I picked up a map at the Adventure Travel Show last weekend and that's about as far as I've got with planning. Looking to travel with others although not necessarily ride all-day long together for the whole week, just see how it goes. I usually do 75% hotels/B&B and 25% camping but I'm guessing Iceland may be the other way around due to cost and availability. Will have tent and a budget; see how it goes.

Also ride an F800GS. Comfortable with light off road. Expecting to get more experience riding gravel.

Thanks for that. Similar to my plan, I'm happy to plod along by myself but it's always nice to have some support when I inevitably decide to do a few water crossings. Gravel is about as far as my experience goes on the bigger bikes, but going through a lot of ride reports I think I'll be fine. It's the mechanical side or punctures that worry me more.

I'm just investigating the best way to get there, flying & shipping the bike, or catching a ferry across from Denmark, both options aren't cheap and I have a tight'ish budget and can't have too much time off work. Camping I think is the way forward to keep costs down most nights. Also for a 7 day ride on the island means a couple or more days travel either side so need to figure that bit out too.

Now that I've got 5 posts here I can send PM's too so might drop you a line later if that's ok?

Please do.

I'm reckoning on leaving the UK (I'm very near to Dover/Folkestone) Sunday, 3rd August and getting back Monday, 19 August although I may have to travel to or more likely from Hirtshalls via a work assignment in Copenhagen but awaiting confirmation of that.

There you go Wildman, PM sent.

Just for the benefit of others, I have from about 17 Jun till 23rd August where I have no plans. I'll have 10'ish days leave due to me (Possibly a few more) so can do almost any dates during this time, unfortunately some of this means it falls in school holidays so I hope I can avoid at least some of this, I hate school holiday tourists ;)

Now, time to go and read up on tents ... mine isn't really ideal being one of those big pop up ones :D

My vacation gets hopefully approved by the end of the month and I would then continue booking the ferry, preferably for 2 weeks on Iceland itself in late July to early August - just because this season should hopefully have the easiest water crossings and best weather.

I am looking for company for the trip or only for some parts in the highlands. My steed is a XChallenge with about 400+km fuel range on trails and my tent is my castle. Most camp grounds on Iceland have huts and cooking facilities, so there are alternatives, too.

As written above, this would be my 2nd Iceland trip. The first trip in 2011 was also my first trail oriented experience. I'm not planning a fixed route, but would be especially interested in the highlands, i.e everything east of route 35.

@Modman, if time is your concern, I'd look into rental bikes and fly there. Even at 100EUR per day, a 7-10 day rental + flight might be cheaper than riding to the ferry and it will save you time.
By the way, thanks for reading our report. :mchappy:

Pip

Pip, thanks for that info. I agree regarding the renting a bike thing, but well, that's not the same for me, I want to do it on my own bike (Sometimes I make no logical sense doh, but I'm a bloke)

Wildman has sent me some useful info and inadvertently probably a bit of motivation to get out and about and actually do stuff instead of just talking about it.

Do you know if the ferry ever get's fully booked or goes up even more? Right now it's looking at about €1000 for me with whatever a berth is? I want to just get it booked as that way I have no excuses :) However I'll wait for a couple of others to book first as I don't want to be billy no mates.

Cheers - Dan

I'm not sure if the price is falling, normally people recommend to book in Feb or March at latest to get a place on the ferry.
Cheapest option is a berth in a couchette. Do a google image search on 'norrona couchette' to see how it looks. The couchettes are far down with the car decks. In 2011 these were about 700EUR for a round trip (incl. bike).
I went for a berth in a 4-berth shared cabin which gives you a bit more space and privacy. In 2013 these are slightly below 1,000EUR with bike.

If you find a trustworthy buddy, you could go for the biker special. There are some other requirements, too. In the end you may get a bit more comfort at about the same price. Smyril Line - Travel to Iceland and Faroe Islands by Ferry

Regarding going solo: We met about half a dozen solo riders on the ferry and teamed up for the first days which was a hoot. 2 weeks later we met a lonely biker who said he'd been the only one aiming for the highlands on the ferry just a week after us.

<edit>
One more thing: We also met a couple Belgians who had their bikes shipped from Rotterdam. Unfortunately, I have neither the name of the shipping company nor any other contact, but they claimed that it was about 500EUR per bike for the round trip. So including flights they paid roughly the same as we, but saved a few days getting there.
</edit>

Crikey, I'm getting claustraphobic just looking at the norrona couchette pics!

It does seem like it's a little hit and miss with finding chaps to travel with en route, so I think I'll wait to see if anyone from here books up and isn't against having someone tag along.

I've been looking at tents, sleeping bags, stoves, tools and I can see it adding up already! My existing stuff just won't do as I'm used to chucking it all in the car, not worrying about size or weight and driving places. On a bike I think I'll be changing my mindset.

Ok, I have a new (to me) F800GS parked in the garage as of a few hours ago and I need an adventure! :)

You mean like this?
:innocent:

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5783/052pip.jpg

Congratulations! :clap:


(PS: nothing happened, the 800 feels just fine on its side ...)

Haha, I have a feeling mine will be having lots of lying down in that sort of sand too. At least it's soft :)

And the areas with soft sand are well known and marked in the maps (at least in mine). If you don't want to ride through soft sand, you don't need to.

:thumbup1:

Now, I think I need to get my Feb and possibly March paycheck in the bank and get the ferry booked.

If anyone wants to share a room/berth/cabin thing let me know. Warning, I snore sometimes so will apologise in advance :oops2:

I was once nicknamed "Earthmover" for my snoring prowess. :biggrin3:

I'm in.

Well things are off to a slow start. I thought I'd buy some spare tubes today and a few spares and I've noticed my Heidenau front tyre is on the wrong way around. (Apparently it's been on for about 5k miles)

Oops.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y...2013.20.05.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2013.19.34.jpg

and the directional arrows (With my bit in red as they're not too great on the pics) Both pics are taken from the right hand side of the bike.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M...2010.52.24.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...2010.52.40.jpg

Uh, that's a nice rim in the background! Do you have the car it came with?

Just for you Pip :) The weekend/trackday toy.

https://picasaweb.google.com/djsayle...eat=directlink

Cool! Mine is not half as nice, but it has to serve as a daily driver whenever I can't use the bike. Any plans on visiting the Nurburgring?
:innocent:

</offtopic>

Back on topic after lusting after MX5's! :) Damn you Pip.

I received a nice tax rebate today so that will go towards the ferry. I'm also spending more time with my Garmin 60CSX and quite liking it, so it now has Iceland maps on it and a few tracks that I have found on the forums. My cheap Chinese satnav (iGo Primo) also has European mapping (incl Iceland).

Random spares have arrived like tubes, pumps, repair kits. The seat is being sent off to be re-trimmed lower on Friday as I'm really struggling with the height of the 800GS, probably not the best choice for me, but well ...

I'm also wondering if my +-5000mile old Heidenau K60's will be any good by August time. Also wondering if I should return the bike to standard sprockets, the previous owner put a larger rear one on and it's very revvy and loud at 80mph and I'm not keen on that for the 1000mile each way trek to Denmark.

Oh, and I hate the screen, it's bloody noisy! If I stand up on the seat it's so much better. I've read pages and pages of debate and everyone says something different. I have the Metal Mule one, it just buffets right into my face and makes my ears bleed.

So, any more travelers? I'm getting excited!

Hey Modman

I will spend 3 Weeks in Iceland. My ferry arrives on the 20.6 and will leave (hopefully with me on board) on the 11.7.

You can find more details in my thread "Iceland in June/July 2013". I would like to team up with someone.

Have you done any booking yet?

Hi there - All is still planned for Iceland. I'm probably going to go on the August 4th Ferry from Denmark but am flexible. Main reason for 4th August is because it's cheaper then as it's classed as mid season, also one or two others may be on the ferry who I could possibly hook up with, but I don't think anyone has booked yet.

See the details here: Smyril Line - The full circle on your own MC for the price drop in August.

I'm aiming to have decided on dates and make a booking by the end of the month.

In terms of plans, I have none at all, I will just find the nice places to visit and go from there. Hoping to do offroad most of the time as well and camp. I'll be by myself too, so hope to either meet up with people before hand, or, failing that, I'm sure I'll meet people there :)

I'll read your thread now that you linked to, thanks - Daniel

I already booked since the space is limited...
830.- for the ferry in my case, I took a bed in a 4 bed cabin (no window).

Hurry up if you want to leave around August I just checked via online booking
here is what i found: http://i48.tinypic.com/2h5v52f.jpg Price 470.-

The type I booked isn't available anymore and it was the second cheapest option (1 Bed in 4 Bed Cabin) cheapest option is the Couchette witch is under the load deck I think.

My ferry is already fully booked beside the Couchette of course



:eek3:

I've had a look tonight from Denmark to Iceland.

Dep 20th Aug
Return 28th Aug
Couchette with the minimum of meals = €680

or

Dep 6th Aug
Return 15th Aug
Couchette with the minimum of meals = €872

How I wish the £/€ was back like it was a few years ago!

I got to stick with 6th to 15th; got to be in Zurich on 28th. Be booking end of next week.

The prices are insane and you have to book half a year in advance to get a real bed. But since the have no competitors they can do what they want and the ferry would be fully booked anyways.

BTW: Who needs meals? :rockon:

Wildman, I'll probably stick to the same dates as you actually. I already have a weekend away in June and one in July too, so this'll be my August trip.

Probably leave it until about the 28th to book as then when my Credit card falls into the next billing cycle :)

Excellent!

So, I'm 'doshed up' and ready to bite the bullet on the ferry ticket.

Good man. If you see any reason it's cheaper to book my ticket at the same time (cheaper costs for 2 people + bikes etc) let me know and I'll book up at the same time or something.

All booked! Roll on August!

Yup. Modman and I are traveling out from Hirtshals on 6th August, back from Seyðisfjörður om 15th August. No firm plans yet for routes once there but if anyone's traveling at the same time and wants to join for all, part or just for a beer, let us know.

Hurry up August, I'm excited already!

However, perhaps I should at least do a little more planning as all I've done is to load maps onto my Satnav, buy a new sleeping mat and read people's trip reports.

Wildman, will be in touch soon to make some arrangements.

Cheers - Dan

Hi Dan

Been doing a little reading up. The Great Motorcycle Journeys of the World includes the "ring" of Iceland.

http://www.dukevideo.com/images/prod...s/1/GM0800.jpg

The Worlds Great Motorcycle Adventure Routes has a similar route. It leaves out the Western Fjords but includes a trip out to Snæfellsnes and also one up to Gulfoss. It's a six day trip and we have seven so leaves a day spare for whatever we fancy or for contingencies. Thought it was a good starting point for planning although I'm still pretty open to all suggestions such as leaving out Snæfellsnes to see a bit more of the interior. My only concern would be trying to do too much sand/gravel through the interior fully laden but that's just my natural cautiousness that I can be persuaded to curb. ;-)

Anyway, it's a start! I still plan to be at the HUBB event at Donnington in May so will catch you sometime over that weekend for a chat and a beer.

That is certainly a good start yes. Further than I've got anyhow :)

I'll be at the HUBB meeting probably just for the weekend, one or both days and driving up/down daily as I'm only 30 mins away and can't get the Thu/Fri off work, so I am looking forward to meeting up.

We have to do at least one or two interior roads with a water crossing thrown in for good measure :)

Oh yes. Just discovered the Kjölur route via Hveravellir.

Hi!
going this august, two of us, don't have date but will be august....will follow this thread....
nino

Hi Nino

Hope to see you whilst you're there.

Paul

I have managed to get 6 weeks off from work, and I am seriously considering going for Iceland this year, as part of a Norway,Sweden, Finland round robin.

Ideally I am looking at setting off in the 3rd week of july, but I do have a bit of slack with the dates and can leave departing until early August.Looking at spending about 10 days or so going around the actual Island.

My first rough costings for a ferry return with the cheapest cabin avaliable ( couchette on way there ) and taking my bike ( BMW G650GS ) is coming back at about 900 Euro...does this seem about right to everyone?.... I carry a tent and tend to alternate camping, backpackers hostels and have no great preference for either.

I would imagine that I need to get the ferry booking soonish, as August is going to be rather busy.

Hi

Modman and I travel out on 06.08.13, back on 15.08.13 in a "couchette" totalling €414 each way. Tried to just book breakfast each day but they seem to insist that you take lunch at €11.00 so just went for that. Came to a total of €872. Only had to pay a €400 deposit, the balance due 30 days before departure. There's a hefty €12.16 credit card fee on the deposit which annoys me as I used a debit card but you can pay the balance by bank transfer.

You're very welcome to join us for the whole trip (not that we necessarily plan to stay together 100% of the time) or maybe just catch you while you're there. We're both on F800GS'.

I'm looking at proposing to Modman heading north-west round the 'ring' then south across the interior, down the Kjoler Route (35) to Hveravellir, Gulfoss and Geysir, spending some time around Landmannalauger before heading back south round the ring. That's maybe four to five days riding and we have seven so plenty of time for detours further into the interior or chilling either in Reykjavik or somewhere else.

Probably a bit late now but have you looked at flying with Iceland Air, I don't know if they do motos, they operate 757s, but their pax seats are cheap especially if you take in all the additional expenses with the Danish ferries like fuel food and accommodation. Ride safe and enjoy your trip.

Have you seen the price of beer in Iceland, it's enough to erupt a geyser/volcano which could explain a lot.

Hi Paul,

Sorry only just seen this, been away for a bit. Anyhow I will look into that stuff later and also drop you a message :)

Cheers - Dan

There's also the Sprengisandsleið as an alternative route back.

Hello all,

I just bought my ticket to Iceland for 6 weeks fun. I drive a Honda Africa Twin. I will camp, and if I'm completely frustrated with the weather I will look for a bed. I will avoid driving at tarmac as much as possible.

If You want to meet and go for a ride, please send me a private message. I will send You my email address, phone number etc.

Lets have some fun!!!!

Attachment 9877

You're spending six weeks in the Faroe Islands?

Thanks for the warning. Now I need to fix this mistake.

You're welcome! Good luck and we'll hopefully get the chance to catch up with you while you're in Iceland.

I fixed it.

6 July Hirsthals/Denmark > Tórshaven/Faroe island
3 days at Faroe

10 July Tórshaven/Faroe island > Seyoisförour/Iceland
4 weeks at Iceland

8 August Seyoisförour/Iceland > Tórshaven/Faroe island
10 days at Faroe

18 August Tórshaven/Faroe island > Hirsthals/Denmark

No I'm staring to look where I go to;-)

Bye

You leave Iceland on the ferry we arrive on. Hope you have a great time and can post some tips for us of places to go see, roads to ride etc.

This will be a very short meeting then;-)

Right, I have finally managed to book my ferry after a little bit of trouble trying to do it online....my fault I did not read some of the booking information.

Best way was to send the an email with the booking information stating " motorcycle Special Offer " rather than trying to do it online.

Leaving Denmark 23/07/13 and arriving Iceland 25/07/13

Leaving Iceland 01/08/13 to go to the Faroes for a 2 day stopover

Leaving Faroes 04/08/13 to be back in Denmark 2 days later.

Couchette both ways and some meals, with the special offer I got the price down to 522 Euro.

Which is pretty damn cheap I believe. I might sweet talk the ferry company and try to extend my stay in iceland for a few more days when I actually get there.

Good price!