The Roads in Iceland for Mountain Bikes

A large portion of Iceland's road system is made up of gravel roads, even some the main highways, and more so as you get further away from the capital and larger towns. The main highway around Iceland, Route 1, circles Iceland in about 1400 kilometers of which  about 70 km are still gravel. Most of the population lives in or around Reykjavik so the further you get from the capital the less traffic. On gravel roads you may encounter stretches with potholes or “washboards” and occasionally some sand but mostly the roads are a good ride. We recommend mountain bikes with fat studded tires for good tracking and comfort and low gear ratios to help climbing those hills. Narrow racer type tires can be dangerous on those dirt roads and should not be used on loose gravel, muddy dirt road and they are impossible on sand. We keep to marked roads, tracks or paths but stay away from the main roads due to traffic. Off road driving is prohibited because the soil and vegetation is very sensitive to all traffic. Even hikers can cause permanent damage to the land, which may recover only slowly or not at all.

The Public Roads Administration has a website with maps on current road conditions including the interior highlands and weather conditions on certain mountain roads etc.

The Interior Highlands
The mountain roads across the interior highlands are closed until late June. They are rough, with lots of steep hills and unbridged rivers. In the interior there are no shops so you must bring enough food. The Touring Club of Iceland (Ferðafélag Íslands) is the biggest travel-association in Iceland and it runs huts in 34 places in the Icelandic interior. They are often full, need to be booked months in advance so if you want travel on your own you must bring a tent. Often you will have to put up your tent on hard rocky ground - this is the largest desert in Europe. Some areas are protected areas where your must camp at designated campsites. Elsewhere you can rough camp almost anywhere except on private land, provided you don’t leave any marks or litter. Ask permission if you think the spot is privately owned. We however set up our tours so that we stay in huts, guesthouses or hotels which we book in advance.

Most rivers are unbridged and at over 40 fords, notices have been put up with instructions on how to ford rivers. Be sure to assess the current, depth and the nature of the riverbed before fording a river. The water will wash away the grease in the pedals, bottom brackets and hubs so you should always carry your bike across if the water levels are high enough to reach those sensitive parts. Glacial water is also loaded with mud and sand that can ruin your bearings in minutes. "Sealed bearings" does not mean waterproof. The water is ice cold and will numb your feet in seconds. We recommend using neoprene shoes, such as those used on surfboards, that will keep you warm and makes it easier to navigate on sharp or slippery stones. Alternatively you can use old tennis shoes, etc. If the river looks dangerous to cross, it probably is and if you are traveling by yourself you should wait for someone who could keep an eye out and help you or get help if you run into trouble. Glacial rivers swell as the day goes on.

Check the weather forecast before heading into the interior highlands and every day while there. The weather can change very suddenly. You should also ask the wardens in the huts, and others, about conditions ahead. Sometimes rivers flood and bridges and roads are closed. In most areas you will find small rivers with fresh spring water every few hours but in certain areas you may have to load up on water for two days.

The Equipment
If you're traveling for more than a day or two on your own you should know how to repair it and have some touring experience. Outside Reykjavik bicycle repair shops are few and far between and parts can be hard to come by. You should be able to fix flats, change brake shoes and have the tools to fasten every screw, nut and bolt that might come loose. You should bring extra patches and tubes, two sets of brake shoes, spokes with nipples, derailleur- and brake cables, oil, chain links and a chain key, maybe even an extra Kevlar tire if you'll be doing a long trip or going into the interior. And don't forget a first-aid kit for yourself and a sowing kit for your clothes. You should consider giving your bike an overhaul before leaving home, greasing up the hub bearing, pedals and bottom bracket, etc. and use it for at least a few days afterwards to see if any problems pop up.