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8 months ago, Nov 3, 2023, Kathi and I were sitting on the couch at 10pm looking for something to watch on YouTube. This video was promoted to me on YouTube and we watched it. Brent Pearson is a retired Australian cameraman and filmmaker who likes to make movies of his motorcycle adventures. He did an amazing job with this video. At the end of the video, near midnight, I looked up RideWithLocals.is and saw that they had 3 spots remaining for their summer trip in 2024. I suspected those spots might sell out quickly with such an amazing video showing off the trip. At 7am the next morning, they were sold out. I cursed myself for my sloth and indecisiveness and vowed to watch the web site in case they opened another trip. The next day, another trip was opened. I signed up and by the end of the day, that trip too was sold out.
| 0) Jul 22 Mon | Fly PDX → PDX 3:20pm -7h35m-> KEF 5:55am+1 Icelandair FI664 |
| 1) Jul 23 Tue | land → KEF drive and explore Thingvellir National Park |
| 2) Jul 24 Wed | out to Reykjanesbraut and West Fjords |
| 3) Jul 25 Thu | back to Rekyvik / KEF and return car |
| 4) Jul 26 Fri | Riding day 1, Selfoss – Jökulheimar |
| 5) Jul 27 Sat | Riding day 2, Jökulheimar – Rjúpanvellir |
| 6) Jul 28 Sun | Riding day 3, Rjúpnavellir – Landmannalaugar bathing — Hungurfit |
| 7) Jul 29 Mon | Riding day 4, Hungurfit – Álftavötn |
| 8) Jul 30 Tue | Riding day 5, Álftavötn – Álftavötn (but missed because I was down sick with Norovirus) |
| 9) Jul 31 Wed | Riding day 6, Álftavötn – Selfoss |
| 10) Aug 1 Thu | Fly home KEF → PDX |
Here are all 6 days of riding from Anibel's track log
Tue Jul 9 : came down with Covid Wed Jul 10 : pretty sick Thu Jul 11 : still sick Fri Jul 12 : getting better, but still testing positive Sat Jul 13 : Sun Jul 14 : Mon Jul 15 : Tue Jul 16 : decided not to fly to Vegas, not 100% and need to rest up for Iceland Wed Jul 17 : was supposed to fly to Las Vegas to help Nicky and Olivier with their bathroom remodel project Thu Jul 18 : Fri Jul 19 : Sat Jul 20 : Sun Jul 21 : pack
Mon Jul 22 PDX 3:20pm -7h35m-> KEF 5:55am+1 Icelandair FI664 Thu Aug 01 KEF 4:50pm -8h05m-> PDX 5:55pm Icelandair FI665 $1,128.70 including baggage and meals Car is Hyundai i10 Manual from Budget at the airport booked with Expedia Pickup 6:45am, drop off 5:00pm $260 pay at the airport Jul 23 hotel: Guesthouse Sunna $182.76 (via booking.com) Thórsgata 26, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Reykjavík→Reykhólar Jul 24 hotel: Reykhólar Hostel $82 (via booking.com) Reykjanesbraut, 251, Iceland dormitory bed Reykhólar→Reykjavík Jul 25 hotel: Grettir Guesthouse $120 (via booking.com) Laugavegur 28a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Jul 31 hotel: Guesthouse Sunna $ Booking Number: EJIA-4886613-W (booked directly on sunna.is) kr 19319 → USD $140.46 cheaper than Booking.com weeks ago, but without breakfast Thórsgata 26, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland final night
Paperwork: * passport * euro cash (no cash was used) * one paperback book to read On the bike: * should have brought a strap-on saddle bag to carry rain gear and lunch * should have brought Hippo Hands * small, light day backpack Crash gear: * Aerostich suit * Helmet * Boots * Ear plugs * Elkskin Gloves (regular) * Elkskin gauntlet gloves (did not use) * waterproof socks (Sealskinz were really great) * Rain gear * glove covers * Rain pants * Rain jacket/ windbreaker Clothing: * socks and underwear for 7 days * bathing trunks * 2 T-shirts short sleeve + 1 T-shirt long sleeve * jeans 1 pair (wear on the plane along with one of those T-shirts) * hiking boots Cold gear: * Fleece sweater 1 * Puffy vest (was not used) * Long wool socks * 32° under pants and shirt set * 2nd set of long underwear * long sleeve T-shirt Toiletries bag: * toothbrush, tooth paste, small shampoo * bite guard * hair brush * ziploc bag of emergency toilet paper * ziploc bag of laundry detergent * clothesline and clips * USB charger for toothbrush Med kit: * aspirin * allergy meds (sudafed) * anti diarrheal * cough suppressant Electronics: * extension cord with socket multiplexor and USB ports * EU plug adapter * small laptop, charger, wireless mouse * USB A-C cables x 2 * wireless charger * USB power pack x 2 * prep OSMAnd with maps of planned route * insta360, and accessories * 12v USB charger for use at huts On the plane: * wireless headphones * eye mask * compression socks
| Day | Actual Distance |
Elapsed time |
Break time |
%Break time |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -------------------------------auto touring---------------------------------- | |||||
| Tue Jul 23 | 275 km | 9h40m | 5h10m | 53% | Driving the Golden Circle, walking around, taking pictures, having lunch in Selfoss, napping, etc |
| Wed Jul 24 | 390 km | 7h50m | 0h50m | 11% | Driving north in the rain with a few breaks to take a pictures |
| Thu Jul 25 | 442 km | 9h30m | 1h40m | 18% | Driving back south in nicer weather with more breaks to get out and walk around and to eat Also dropped off the car and caught a bus back to Reykjavik |
| -------------------------------dirt bike riding---------------------------------- | |||||
| Fri Jul 26 | 197 km | 8h33m | 3h50m | 45% | after a late start from Selfoss and a long gas station break, we started hauling ass |
| Sat Jul 27 | 178 km | 7h44m | 3h11m | 41% | a solid day of riding |
| Sun Jul 28 | 156 km | 7h34m | 3h41m | 48% | a solid day of riding with a long break for a dip in a hot spring |
| Mon Jul 29 | 105 km | 4h15m | 1h04m | 25% | a short day of riding as several people are feeling sick, I ride sweep for the slow group |
| Tue Jul 30 | 0 km | out sick, vomiting and diarrhea, slept 30 hrs while others rode | |||
| Wed Jul 31 | 211 km | 8h00m | 3h40m | 46% | first half in solid rain, then it turned nice. 70+km of pavement getting back to Selfoss |
| -------------------------------totals---------------------------------- | |||||
| 1100 km by car over 3 days | |||||
| 850 km by motorcycle over 6 days (-1 for sickness) | |||||