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Bike from volcanic lava tunnels to lush landscapes

Mountain biking in Iceland: Frequently-Asked Questions about North of the Moon

Iceland's unique landscape ranges from rainbow-shrouded waterfalls, to steaming geysers, lava tunnels, and hot springs. Five days on mountain bikes take us amidst the colorful mountains, while still leaving time to enjoy the lively capital of Reykjavik.

This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page.

Contents:

• Exactly how long is this trip?
  
• How do I get to Iceland?
  
• Is this a mountain-biking or a road-biking trip?
  
• I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
  
• Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
  
• What's gay life like in Iceland?
  
• What's the weather like in Iceland?
  
• Will the biking be too difficult for me?
  
• Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
  

Exactly how long is this trip?
It's 8 days and 7 nights. Day 1 of the trip begins in the early morning when you arrive at Reykjavik airport, or meet our guide at the hotel (if you flew into Iceland earlier than the group). We'll have 7 nights in Iceland, with most people flying back home on the afternoon of the last day.

How do I get to Iceland?
From North America, Icelandair offers flights from several gateway cities: Boston, New York, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Toronto and Halifax, and a couple of times a week from Orlando Sanford Airport (40 miles from Orlando International Airport). At this writing, no other airlines fly from the U.S. or Canada to Iceland. You can check flight options at www.icelandair.com/alysonadventures.

From Europe, Icelandair offers flights to Reykjavik from several cities. Since airlines regularly change their routings, you should check with Icelandair, a travel agent, or online for up-to-date schedules.

Is this a mountain-biking or a road-biking trip?
That's all a matter of definition. Most cyclists would probably say it falls somewhere in between.

We're on mountain bikes, because their wider tires work best on the unpaved roads and trails where we'll sometimes be biking, and their low gears will be helpful on some of the hills.

But we are primarily on roads, not trails, and more of the terrain is flat than hilly.

I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
Most of our trips draw more single travelers than couples. When couples do join us, it's usually because they're looking forward to interacting with a gay group; if they wanted a holiday by themselves, they wouldn't have signed up to travel with us. Furthermore, the activities included with our trips serve as natural ice-breakers. Within a day, you'll be traveling with friends.

You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself.

Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
We encourage you to do so. Outside Magazine says that talking to people who have taken a trip previously is one of the best ways to evaluate whether it will be right for you, and we agree.

Our website includes a full page of comments from past travelers. Most of them have volunteered to talk about their experiences with future potential travelers. Please call for the names and phone numbers of references in your area.

What's gay life like in Iceland?
Iceland is a Scandinavian country, with similar attitudes: Most people have better things to do than worry about whether you're gay or straight. There are strong civil rights protections for gay people (including the right to form legal unions), and homophobic attitudes have never really taken root.

Perhaps because of this generally accepting attitude, there has never been a strongly developed gay culture as in some other world capitals. Reykjavik has a few gay organizations, a gay disco, and several clubs that serve a mixed clientele. Things don't really get moving at the clubs until after midnight, so most of us are more likely to go out for a night at the end of the trip, rather than the beginning.

What's the weather like in Iceland?
The Gulf Stream has a moderating influence on Iceland's climate. Expect daytime summer temperatures in the southwest to range from the fifties to the low seventies, Fahrenheit. Odds are, you'll experience a full gamut of these temperatures. You can also count on some clear, sunny days, with blue sky from one horizon to the other; and some overcast or rainy days.

And you can count on variability. A day that begins with a grey cloud cover can give way to blue sky by noon. Be prepared for this range: pack a warm fleece jacket, and something waterproof, as well as a few t-shirts. On biking days, the support van stays close to the group as we bike, so you can change clothing when the weather changes.

Will the biking be too difficult for me?
We call this a trip of moderate difficulty. It's not for beginners -- if you've never biked more than 15 miles in a day, this isn't the best trip for you.

But neither do you need to be a serious cyclist, doing a full-day ride every week, to enjoy our Iceland biking. The distances aren't that great, not more than about 40 miles in a day. Some days have hilly stretches; some are largely flat. It's these hills, and the rougher sections of unpaved roads, more than the actual distance, that is most likely to wear you out. If you can comfortably bike 50 miles at home, on rolling terrain and paved roads, you're ready to enjoy this trip.

Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
It's a good start -- but it won't get you fully prepared. This and other more general questions about biking are addressed on our biking FAQs page.

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