I was awoken at 1am with the strong wind blowing my tent about and some other campers opening and closing their camper van doors etc. Sleep after this point was sporadic.
I struggled to find my rhythm with the first gravel road of the day, which I could only think of two reasons. First the stones were s little larger and there was a lot more of them, making it feel looser under the wheels.
Second, the wind was again very strong, meaning it would blow you off course into the thick stone piles very easily, making losing control a greater risk.
We stopped at the Dettifoss waterfall, which was quite impressive. The sign said it was a ten minutes walk to the viewing area and it was a strenuous walk at that with large steps. By the time I got back to the bike I was feeling pretty worn out. Luckily, we were in no rush, so we had drinks and snacks before proceeding on the gravel roads. The second half I started to feel more relaxed so could enjoy the ride more.
Dettifoss waterfall
Our next fuel stop conveniently arrived at lunch time and during this, the guides were busy sorting out the next trail to ride.
Now when we got to the start of it, there was a sign that said after 2km it was a no-through road meaning it was now closed. However, Nathan spoke to the local farmer who came by and he said it was closed for cars as it is very rough in places, but was passable and we could get through. So armed with that information, we proceeded on.
This trail turned out to be the biggest challenge we had to date. It was indeed very rough and rocky in places, plus we hit large areas of sand wicked caused problems for most riders. We came across one part of the road where there was a three meter gap, meaning you had to go down the side and cross a sandy area, then get up the other side. This to me, looked like it had been done on purpose to stop vehicles going any further.
Further on, we encountered another obstacle in the form of a broken bridge, which may well have been the reason the road had been closed. To get around this meant a water crossing, then getting up the bank at the other side.
We had several other places where we had to divert from the broken road and more soft deep sand to challenge us.
Now I remember from my sand riding practice before coming out here, that speed helps get through the sand, and at one stage I could see the two riders in front struggle, so my only option was to open the throttle and ride past quickly before getting caught up in their issues.
I had several moments where I thought I was coming off, but my guardian angel was obviously fly with me today as some how despite the bike steering itself from one side of the track to the other, and with my legs and arms going in different directions, I actually kept upright and going.
Though all this movement soon had me wishing that I hadn’t put my fleece jacket on under my main jacket as I was beginning to get rather hot, plus the dust was something else that the bike and rider could have done without.
This was not designated as an ‘F’ road, and I am not entirely sure what defines an ‘F’ road, maybe it is ‘F’ for fun or maybe it is fear, but this sure had both of them, as well as some ‘Oh-F’ moments!
Credit to our guides and other riders all helping each other that we all made it, but during some of it, I really felt way out of my comfort zone, and was delighted to see the van at the end of the track waiting for us with refreshments!
After a well deserved rest, we decided to carry on with the original intended route of going around the coastal gravel road to the furthest point north of Iceland, although the track up to the lighthouse was now closed to motor vehicles, and I didn’t have the energy or inclination to walk to it.
It was a real treat that we had a hotel room at the end of the day waiting for us.
Later in the evening when getting up from the table in the hotel restaurant, I could feel my body seizing up already!
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