Tips to touring Iceland
Some of you guys had asked me for advice on cycle / skate touring around iceland. So i took the time to compile a set of Tips for you
How to get there from Singapore.
You can fly to most Western European countries and take WoW air or Icelandic Air, budget airlines to Iceland.
Or you can transit through Scandinavian Countries. Finnair
Route
Iceland has just one major highway, connecting all towns to the capital Reykjavik. So just follow the RING Road if you don't intend to travel up to cold, freezing highlands with little signs of life. Literally out of this planet.
The Ring Road is 1200km long, following it will bring you round island and you won't get lost. There are only 300,000 people in iceland and 2/3 of them lives in Reykjavik. The rest spreads across the 100,000 sqkm island. You will see more sheeps and horses than human beings along the way. You will have pure wilderness to yourself. Maybe once in a while, few tourist cars passing by.
in the 1200 km Ring Road, you encounter Mountains, Waterfalls, Icebergs, Lava fields.
The road are 92% tarmac, except for eastern part from Egilsstaðir to Djúpivogur, gravel road. Road quality varies from smooth to rough chipseal. Closer to the capital, you get smooth silky tarmac. Once 100km away from Reykjavik, you get rough roads.
Southern Half of island is pretty flat, with few climbs closer to Reykjavik. But not too daunting for experienced tourers. Northern Half to Akuryeri is mountainous. That shouldn't be an issue for experienced tourers as well.
Cost
Currency is Kronas, (ISK) SGD$1 = 90 ISK.
Hot Dog from N1 petrol kiosk - 500 ISK
Dorm bed in Reykjavik - 5000 - 7000 ISK depending on seasons
Campsite- 1000 - 1200 ISK
Thai beef noodles in Reykjavik - 1100 ISk
Expensive but still cheaper than other Scandinavian countries
Weather
Iceland has surprisingly mild winters for a country at that latitude owing to the warming effect of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Temperature range from 10 to 20 C in the summer. Iceland enjoys a maritime temperate climate and the average temperature in winter is around 0°C, although the wind chill makes it feel a lot colder. The rapidly changing weather has given rise to the local saying: 'If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!' It's the kind of place where it's not unusual to get rained on and sunburned at the same time. The summers are cooler and more temperate than elsewhere at the same latitude and the temperature rarely exceeds 20°C.
In the Summer, you get almost 24 hours of day light. So the best time to travel, unless you want to see the Northern light, is June - August. August is the peak tourist period. Unless you want to squeeze with the horde, then June is the ideal time.
Though Iceland is pretty cool in climate, killer part is the Wind. You can experience up to 70km/h wind. If you get a tailwind, good for you. If not,a 70km/h headwind is not common. Best advice is to travel Clockwise direction.
Accomodation
Iceland has vast land of wilderness and no one around. The land is yours to wild camp. But please take care of fragile environment, there is no one to clean the mess for you. Do clean up the mess after camp. Bring 3 season tent and warm sleeping bag. It can be pretty windy and rainy.
Alternatively, you can find campsites. They allow good facilities for showering and charging your electronic devices and WiFi. They cost 1000 ISK
Food and Water
Towns are far apart, from 70km-110km and no civilization in between. So bring food before you start the day. I brought my MRE (Meal ready to eat) and some chocolate wafers. If you are skating, high chances are that friendly drivers will stop by to pass you some supplies.
Water
You don't have to worry about water, you can get Pure clean Icelandic water from streams flowing from Glaciers. It is fresher than your bottled mineral water. Forget paying for exhortation prices for water, where you can get free water and they are everywhere. Trust me, i am still alive.
