Iceland Tour - Any contacts, references to help planning?

[familyonabike]

We had an interesting meeting with Dick Phillips whilst on our C2C tour recently! I felt like we went to Iceland to visit him.
http://www.familyadventureproject.org/2012/02/dick-phillips-iceland-touring.html
Our plans are still developing. Looks like we may spend a week in the Faroes on the way back.
Anyone got any information on that part of the world?

[iviehoff]

We had an interesting meeting with Dick Phillips whilst on our C2C tour recently! I felt like we went to Iceland to visit him.

The Faeroes are a bit tricky to cycle because of all the tunnels you can't cycle through. Though you'll find a couple of travelogues on crazyguy to guide you as to how to handle this.

Dick always says something to surprise you. But it has always been his style, in his cheery and pleasant way, to stress the things that might annoy the average person, to ensure that you will actually be of the kind that will enjoy it. Cycling in Iceland can be tough, and you need to be determined to continue on against wind, bad roads, and other indignities. You'll have to be determined to enjoy being there. People will justly draw to your attention the difficulties and potential disappointments.

As Dick correctly told you, whilst cycling on the main roads in Iceland is getting less pleasant, because of the growth in traffic, cycling on the remoter roads gets better because of the improvements in the surfaces. Though if you are avoiding the ring road, you will probably from time to time encounter that sign, which signals uncertain trouble ahead, "Malbik endar" - tar ends. If you do go, try, at the least, to avoid cycling on the western half of the ring road. As Dick says, it is busy and narrow, and whatever the scenery it is hard to enjoy it with several vehicles per minute whizzing past at 90km/h. The eastern half is quieter. You can see real-time traffic rates from a few auto count stations here, though they will be higher in the country in the tourist season. http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/road-c ... d-weather/

[familyonabike]

As Dick correctly told you, whilst cycling on the main roads in Iceland is getting less pleasant, because of the growth in traffic, cycling on the remoter roads gets better because of the improvements in the surfaces. The eastern half is quieter. You can see real-time traffic rates from a few auto count stations here, though they will be higher in the country in the tourist season. http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/road-c ... d-weather/

Thanks, helpful. I don't think we're under any illusions about potential for challenge! In fact that's the point really. I know it's all well intentioned, it's just everytime we write or speak to anyone it feels like they're intent on putting us off! We 're thinking now of doing a kind of two centre ride, perhaps 10 days in the East after arriving by ferry. Then moving across to spend 10 days in N Western Fjords. Then leave the bikes and tour around and visit some other sites around the golden circle by car/public transport with maybe some bike day trips. As for the Faroes, well one thing at a time! Thanks for the research suggestions.

[AMC]

I think that's a really good plan you've come up with given your family commitments. I agree with all that's been said in previous posts - it can be tough - but have to say that our month in Iceland was one of the best experiences of my life and other countries sadly pale a bit in comparison after that (although we've just had a great trip to Oman which is geologically almost as insane as Iceland!) Have a wonderful time & don't forget to use the very helpful buses if it gets a bit too much on occasion!

[familyonabike]

Just back from an amazing month in Iceland and The Faroes. Thanks for the help, advice and references offered here. It's an incredible touring destination and we managed to find some great family riding. If there ever was a time to visit Iceland then it's now. It's much more affordable than it's reputation suggests, as long as you're camping! And the low cost flights are starting to include it on routes. It's no picnic, but incredible sights, scenery and experience.

[eileithyia]

Glad to hear you all enjoyed it.

[AMC]

Me too! Wish we'd gone this summer too now with the weather...