Tired in Iceland!

[Farmer Palmer]

So I'm off in a few weeks and I'm planning what to take with all the tried and tested stuff being packed but what about tyres? New TKC80s to be fitted but should I take my part worn ones for the emergency puncture that can't be repaired? Or am I just worrying about something that might never happen! Plus how do you carry all this extra stuff or should I take it and dump it but know that it's there in case of emergency and leave it behind and Geocache for someone else to find!

Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks Chris

 

[Gecko]

Get in touch with Zwerver. He's done the Iceland trip so he can probably give you some excellent first hand tips. I don't think he took spare tyres with him so that may suggest a local supply may exist (in emergency).

 

[Zwerver]

Chris,
As I went to Iceland, the more offroadexperienced guys at my local mc shop recommend the TKC80's, but with tubes!
Bringing some tubes takes less weight/space then a complete set of tires. Just try at home if you can "remove" the tire from your
wheels using the sidestand and the weight of the GS.
Because the roads on Iceland are mostly gravel and sand, you have to be very unlucky to rip your tire beyond repair.
Small punctures can happen, although the 3 of us didnot have any
during our stay on Iceland.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Not so tired in Iceland!

Hi Zwerver, thanks for your reply. I had considered tubes for the tyres and I am also thinking about Ultraseal pucture sealant! As well as a small compressor and hand pump! My new tyres are to be fitted soon so will speak to my tyre guys who are also offroaders! I actually tried carrying spare tyres on the bike last night, over the GS alloy topbox, it was possible and quite secure but oh so heavy and not good offroad!

I am now working out what food to take, lots of rice, pasta and stuff but will have to get used to Polser again and lots of coffee! What did you find was the best value food to buy and where to get it? Did you eat out at all as it really does look very, very expensive to my Scots wallet! What stove did you use and do you think Methylated spirit is available for my Trangia stove? I was going to take at least 2 litres of meths which would be enough for breakfasts, coffee and evening meal for a few days!

 

[Henry Mawson]

Chris,
Eating out is expensive to everyones wallet and that includes Icelanders. In the petrol stations there are cafes and you can get an extremely fulfilling burger and chips for £8 or so, with the works. Also you have pilsur or hotdogs which are a cheap easy snack. In Reykavik they go mad for one particular seller down in the town centre- couldn't honestly say i tasted any difference. Also some resturants have the meal of the day which can be quite reasonable. As shops go- dont go in mate you will not like the prices. I had 3 weeks there and took a lot of dehydrated meals with me. Apparently there is a monetary limit on how much food you can take in with you, but i had no hassle. There will be times (surely) when you will want to try the local specialities. Do yourself a favour and don't convert the price back to Sterling. Just pay up and enjoy it.
Try and get into the interior, either Sprengisandur or Kolur, or indeed both. I think you may be a bit early for Sprengisandur,but like all travel in Iceland, it is weather permitting. I had a week of absolute blazing sunshine and so got all the properish offroading done then. The veiws in the interior were spectacular, and i could see horizon to horizon.
Road works!!!!!!! These can happen anywhere and without warning. I came steaming around a bend and over a crest to find 10" of hard core lying on the road waiting to be rollered in- no signage nothing.
For me there seems to be a bit of a struggle at the present. The island has to decide if they want to be a geothermal powerhouse and fully exploit that. Or derive monies from tourism which- if they lowered the prices a touch- would massively expand in my opinion.
It is a fantastic place though, and the Icelanders are total party animals!!
HENRY

 

[Zwerver]

Re: Not so tired in Iceland!

Hi Zwerver, thanks for your reply. I had considered tubes for the tyres and I am also thinking about Ultraseal pucture sealant! As well as a small compressor and hand pump! My new tyres are to be fitted soon so will speak to my tyre guys who are also offroaders! I actually tried carrying spare tyres on the bike last night, over the GS alloy topbox, it was possible and quite secure but oh so heavy and not good offroad!

If you want to go inland, every kg extra will be hard to take; th egs itself isn't the most handly bike in deeper sand, and going up and down steeper slopes, and the more weight you put on the more difficult it will get.
Carrying a compressor? Wouldn't do that, every 4x4 you'll encounter will have one, and I've never heard of a biker getting stranded on the tracks without getting help from others...

I am now working out what food to take, lots of rice, pasta and stuff but will have to get used to Polser again and lots of coffee!

Rice , pasta, and some spices to beef it up are always handy to bring, although these goods are for sale in most places and not that much more expensive than at home (in 1998); it only saves you a few pounds per week bringing it from home.
It is just handy to have 1 or 2 days days rations of food and some water, so you do not have to look for civilisation after a days ride...

What did you find was the best value food to buy and where to get it?

Only in the bit larger cities you'll find supermarkets, otherwise you'l have to do with the more expensive local shops, but I do not now how the prices are now, compared to 1998. Normally fish, shrimps and other seafood were a lot cheaper then meat.

Did you eat out at all as it really does look very, very expensive to my Scots wallet!

We did "eat out" twice after a long days ride, as far as you can call burger+fries eating out. Was quite expensive!
Even some coffee and cake for 4 costed us some 50 Eur!

What stove did you use and do you think Methylated spirit is available for my Trangia stove? I was going to take at least 2 litres of meths which would be enough for breakfasts, coffee and evening meal for a few days!

I used a Coleman stove, brough 1 liter of (clean) Colemanfuel
and filled once with normal 95 petrol, then once with this Coleman, to keep the burner clean.
Got no experience with the Tragia, and never looked at the availability of the Methylated spirit needed.


The more we talk about the more I want to go back.....

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Iceland,This time next month!!

Thanks Henry and Zwever, your advice is gratefully recieved, the tickets are here so this time next month we'll be there enjoying whatever comes our way! Hope you have exciting travels this year too!!