Technical
Cycling for people with disabilities
A Mission to Inspire people through Cycling Cycling for people
26/03/2025
Read Frederik Let’s documentary combined word and text below:
.
Back in January, a couple of OMs (Original Mountain-bikers) planned to go bikepacking across Iceland. After a few test rides and a lot of gear prep, Mads, Jacob, and I (Frederik) landed in Iceland to traverse from the most eastern to the most western point. A 1000+ km route with all food and gear for 10 days (EVOC) packed on the bike. It was going to be a journey out in the middle of nowhere and was only doable for us without accidents or failures… Or maybe we are just some optimistic idiot mountain bikers.
Day 1
We woke up outside of the domestic airport in Reykjavik on a very cold and rainy morning. Then we got on the bikes to reach the most eastern point, which was the start of our trip in Iceland. Probably the toughest we could have imagined. Soaked and cold, the only thing boosting our wet take-off was the view.
Route-wise, we started with a long climb of 600 vertical meters, and because of the fog, there were times when the sight ended. On the way down: again, one of the coldest bike passes we’ve ever tried. There was a shipwreck at the bottom, and I was looking forward to this—adding some much-needed energy. The road to the most eastern point was ongoing, tough, and wet. We finally arrived at the lighthouse in the rain and wind and, luckily, found a little shed to seek cover and make a warm meal that had been keeping me going. Then… the gas didn’t fit, and we had a cold meal instead. Of course. Still, we had some laughs about the situation because, damn, that is really dumb.
Day 2
A long, long day awaited. A long climb to start again, rewarded with the greatest views of Iceland on the way down on the other side. The clouds lifted, and the most magnificent landscape revealed itself. The day was long and hilly. Mainly tarmac, which didn’t make it too interesting. Luckily, the sun peeked out more and gave us a bit of energy. Our legs were beginning to burn, and we didn’t know if the food would be enough. What we had expected was definitely not enough! The thought of the hut with the hot springs was really what kept us going. Legs almost cramped, and when we finally jumped into the hot springs, we got all dizzy from the effort… and maybe the lack of water.
Day 3
My lord, what a day! Damn tough! But the landscape made the pain disappear. So much different landscape in Iceland—meadows over all the mountains, soft and green. Then, over a big dam and into the volcanic landscape. So empty and yet so full, with such rough roads that were definitely not made for gravel bikes. We kind of missed our MTBikes. Then, at 4, we found out we were already halfway, and smiles appeared. Again, the landscape changed, and new views… new emotional sights. Breathtaking and making you feel SMALL.
Still tough, but the sun heating us up and a magnificent sunset over the lava rocks made all the difference.
Day 4
We started out with waffles at the Askja hut. We also discovered that we camped just beneath one of the biggest active volcanoes in Iceland. That’s why we started out joyfully, entering this all-black, dusty landscape. A couple of rangers advised staying on the route, and we noted that the area we were headed to was something we’d seen before. Lots of lava landscape, which was really nicely surfaced and fun, sending us till the worst cobblestone road. Imagine a bricklayer drunk laying a road with a 10 cm height difference between each stone. It was so uneven that we could barely sit down.
Afterwards, we met another group that did the north-to-south route. Good crew and good fun. We needed water desperately, but luckily an emergency hut had that for us. We ended up wild camping after a good long day.
Day 5
This was probably what felt like the longest day. Windy, cold, and the landscape was all the same—quite rocky and grey. It felt endless, and it was hard to keep motivation going because of the lack of changing scenery. We ended at a hut with hot springs.
Day 6
…Followed by probably the best day! The one we thought would be the hardest. After a quick 50 km before lunch, we encountered plenty of glacier river crossings knee-high. We had to change into neoprene shoes every time just to keep a bit dry. The streams were scary in some of them, and it was hard not to get caught out. The bike had to be above water to avoid floating away. The crossings yet gave us energy all day and kept it fun. Then, the last one almost got us! Hip-deep and standing in the middle of the river, 30 kg bike in hand, and everywhere you step is hip-deep with a strong stream.
After crossing the last one… a rainbow showed over the glacier as if to bid us goodbye for this part of the trip. Thank you for this reward! We ended up sprinting to the hut to make it in time for the kitchen to close.
Day 7
We discussed the rest of the route over breakfast, and it seemed optimistic. All of us were almost broken, and it seemed so long and a bit stressful to catch the ferry home. Wet clothes on again for the 6th day in a row. Not sure if we’d make it.
We got going, and the first few kilometers flew by. Sometimes, you just gotta get started.
We altered the route to be 20 km longer but hoped for a smoother ride. And somehow, with good legs, good vibes, and a whole lot of luck with the weather, we hit 160 km for the day! We saw beautiful landscapes, rode with horses, and saw a wild polar fox; we rode with it for a bit—such a crazy experience. I almost wanted to cry when we hit 160 km. We caught so much that we agreed to enjoy it a bit—not stress too much to make the ferry. Amazing what a day can do. We ended at a gas station and camped behind it—not glamorous, but it did the job.
Day 8
We started out slow in the morning, fueling up at the gas station. Then, we got going in the most insane headwind, which later turned into sidewind and then headwind again. The bikes were laying sideways on the road, and it was pretty sketchy. The landscapes turned greener, and the fjords were beautiful, but most of the day I just spent looking down, pedaling, unfortunately.
Last day
Despite a few very long days in Iceland and over 100 km each day in the craziest conditions and almost unrideable roads at times, we made it to the end. The sun bid us welcome to the most western point.
.
Thanks for your interest. Pictures and words by https://www.instagram.com/fredleth/
A Mission to Inspire people through Cycling Cycling for people
Lifetime adventure. A rollercoaster of through epic surroundings. From north
Team Airtox Carl Ras x WA: Support this impressively talented
Jonas Lindberg sat aggressively in the lead group to the
@grandprixherning was a pretty tough one! @jonaslindberg1 finished close to
Willing Able differentiate a bit from our brand neighbors. Not
Sign up. Save a little. Thank You!
Inclusive cycling apparel based on exclusive sustainable textiles.
At a cost that makes sense.
Not just sporty. Nor fashion first: To all kinds of riders and routes.
Out there anywhere. Since 2001.
Sign up. You will hereafter receive 1 monthly newsletter and 20% off on all our Surprisingly Superb Apparel.
| size | top (Chest) | bibs (waist) |
| S | 84 cm | 66 cm |
| M | 88 cm | 70 cm |
| L | 92 cm | 74 cm |
| XL | 96 cm | 78 cm |
| . | . | . |
| . | . | . |
| size | top (Chest) | bibs (waist) |
| S | 92 cm | 70/76 cm |
| M | 96 cm | 76/80 cm |
| L | 100 cm | 80/84 cm |
| XL | 104 cm | 84/88 cm |
| XXL | 108 cm | 90/94 cm |
| 3XL | 108- cm | 94- cm |
