South to the coast

I want to arrive in Reykjavik in 3 days time. My calculations are complicated because of the wind - which keeps strengthening during the day, and switching direction to “always” be a head wind. My plan is to head south to the coast, west along the coast and then cross through a Geopark and back into the capital

To try and beat todays winds, I am up at 6.30. I manage to get the first 57km out of the way by lunch although the wind is getting more noticable. The first leg is beautiful and very quiet- along the shore of þingvallavatn (the Þingvillar lake). I reach an area of newer lava and of geothermal activity (and power stations). I also rather take to the aptly named river Sog with its 3 hydropower stations. The next leg is busier and with more trucks and wind. I cross the main Iceland ringroad and a Selfoss, an uninspiring second largest town.

By this stage I am tired and from here I am crawling into the wind for the final long 12 km. Its very flat but as it’s against the wind the advantage is little. I am happy to call it a day in a village by the sea that was once used as a port but never quite made it.Read more