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Cycling around Iceland - the story

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Old 05-05-17, 02:38 PM
  #1  
smilyanp
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Cycling around Iceland - the story

Hi everyone,

In the introduction threads I posted a bit about my last trips, one being around Iceland last July. The people on there got excited and suggested I make a thread on here as well for others to enjoy, so here it is.

I cycled around Iceland in 25 days and about 1800km (around 1120 miles). I've started writing articles about each of the days and here are the first 8 with photos for anyone who is interested:

Cycling around Iceland - Part 1 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland - Part 2 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland - Part 3 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland ? Part 4 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland ? Part 5 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland ? Part 6 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland ? Part 7 - Smilyan Pavlov
Cycling around Iceland ? Part 8 - Smilyan Pavlov

I will update as I write the rest. Any comments and feedback are more than welcomed. Thanks and I'm looking forward to reading others' inspiring stories. Fyi, this was my first big tour (more than 2-3 days) and I had done only a few before that.
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Old 05-05-17, 02:47 PM
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I look forward to reading over it when I get home! I'm heading there myself this summer, although I am jealous of how much more time Europeans get off work
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Old 05-05-17, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by jefnvk
I look forward to reading over it when I get home! I'm heading there myself this summer, although I am jealous of how much more time Europeans get off work
I was actually a freelancer at the time and quit all my projects Quite risky in fact. But totally worth it!
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Old 05-05-17, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by smilyanp
I was actually a freelancer at the time and quit all my projects Quite risky in fact. But totally worth it!
I was a freelancer in Iceland and worked from campsites, paying for the entire cost of the trip. It was a big moment for my professional development!

Cool write-up. Can't wait to dive into it.
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Old 05-05-17, 04:20 PM
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smilyanp
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Originally Posted by mdilthey
I was a freelancer in Iceland and worked from campsites, paying for the entire cost of the trip. It was a big moment for my professional development!

Cool write-up. Can't wait to dive into it.
That's awesome! I am still writing it, another 17 to go
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Old 05-05-17, 04:22 PM
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Wow! Just wish I were 30-40 years younger. Sigh!
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Old 05-05-17, 05:10 PM
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Happy Feet
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Am I the only one who thinks Smilyan looks just like Max with a Toque on
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Old 05-05-17, 05:31 PM
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Do the campsites cost money? Aren't you allowed to wild camp in Iceland (like in other Scandinavian countries)?
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Old 05-05-17, 06:13 PM
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What a trip! Can't wait to read more about it. My wife and I hiked the Laugavegur a couple years ago, it was an amazing experience. It really is an incredible country.
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Old 05-05-17, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by smilyanp
I was actually a freelancer at the time and quit all my projects Quite risky in fact. But totally worth it!
Well, jokes on me, I randomly stumbled on that blog a few months ago. Already read most of it!
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Old 05-06-17, 08:03 AM
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Great blog....Iceland is awesome and terrible. I managed to ride/take the bus from Reykjavik to Egilstadir a few years ago and then gave up and rented a car to do the North of Iceland. I'm determined to go back and take more time and ride more sensibly so I can do all on Rt1 on the bike, but reading your blog reminds me just how tough it can be with the wind and the rain and the cold.
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Old 05-06-17, 07:24 PM
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I'm about halfway through your blog mate. I'm really enjoying it!

Thank you for posting

Bear
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Old 05-08-17, 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Dark Arrow
I'm about halfway through your blog mate. I'm really enjoying it!

Thank you for posting

Bear
Thank's so much, this motivates me to finish the other posts!

Last edited by smilyanp; 05-08-17 at 03:12 AM.
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Old 05-08-17, 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by jefnvk
Well, jokes on me, I randomly stumbled on that blog a few months ago. Already read most of it!
Hahaha, that's amazing and inspiring that someone even found my little blog. I will finish thr other posts too, stay tuned!
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Old 05-08-17, 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by roseml
Do the campsites cost money? Aren't you allowed to wild camp in Iceland (like in other Scandinavian countries)?
Yes, they did cost, but I found the days quite hard and just wanted a warm shower at the end of the day. But you can wild camp as long as it is not on farm land. In the south it is more difficult as it is more touristic, in the north it is very easy to wild camp. Many, many kilomtres without any people at all. You can probably wildcamp all the way if you wanted to.
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Old 05-08-17, 01:41 AM
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Originally Posted by nun
Great blog....Iceland is awesome and terrible. I managed to ride/take the bus from Reykjavik to Egilstadir a few years ago and then gave up and rented a car to do the North of Iceland. I'm determined to go back and take more time and ride more sensibly so I can do all on Rt1 on the bike, but reading your blog reminds me just how tough it can be with the wind and the rain and the cold.
Thank you! It is quite hard, especially because of the weather. I also carried more gear as I had no experience and then you have the mountains... But I loved every bit of the trip and it made for some stories. You should definately do it if you can!
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Old 05-08-17, 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Happy Feet
Am I the only one who thinks Smilyan looks just like Max with a Toque on




I like yer style, dude.
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Old 06-25-17, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by mdilthey
I like yer style, dude.
Haha, cannot deny the similarity when you put it like that )

Also, I've released another post for anyone interested:

Cycling around Iceland - Part 9 - Smilyan Pavlov
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Old 06-25-17, 06:43 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by roseml
Do the campsites cost money? Aren't you allowed to wild camp in Iceland (like in other Scandinavian countries)?
I always camped in designated campsites last summer, cost as usually about 1000 to 1500 ISK with shower access, last summer the exchange rate was about $1 USD to 123 ISK, thus roughly $8 to $12 per person per night.

This link mentions the specifics of wild camping. It was actually published when I was there so I was not aware of it until after I got home later.
Umhverfisstofnun

THE FOLLOWING ADDED THE NEXT DAY:

I use Reuters for my currency info, as noted above when I was in Iceland last summer the rate was $1 USD to 123 ISK. Now that rate is $1 USD only buys 103 ISK. Thus, this year you would be paying roughly 20 percent more if your home currency is US Dollars than last year.
https://www.reuters.com/finance/curre...=&destCurr=ISK

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Old 06-26-17, 03:24 PM
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Great read Smilyan ! Thanks for sharing it!
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Old 07-07-17, 06:05 AM
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Fantastic reports. I really like how you highlight your daily struggles as well. i.e. it's not all magnificent views and romantic meals. I think it would be very interesting to hear your recap of "mistakes made" and "lessons learned" as well as listing some of the gear - I'm a sucker for gear (I see that you have a Mammut jacket - synthetic? If I were planning a trip like this, I'd probably bring a Patagonia Nanopuff or Nanoair due to them being highly packable and keeping their warmth when wet)
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