Welcome the land of fire and ice. Iceland is a country of outstanding natural beauty with steep rocks, crevasses, boiling hot springs, glaciers, and ocean beaches. With a tiny population of just under 390,000 people, Iceland is a haven for relaxation, rejuventation & adventure. The best time to ride is late May to early September when a cool summer breaks the harsh winter.
The mighty Langjökull (the Long Glacier) is the second largest glacier in Iceland. It’s 50 km long and 20 km wide, with ice 580 m deep at it’s thickest. At it’s highest point the Langjökull reaches an alititude of 1,450 meters. It’s located in the Highlands, and two main highland tracks, connecting the north and the south of Iceland, lie alongside it. Near the highest peaks of Langjökull exists a man-made ice tunnel, a true spectacle for any visitor passing by the glacier.
Snæfellsjökull is one of Iceland’s 32 active volcanic systems and last erupted about 1,800 years ago. On the top of Snæfellsjökull is a small icecap. Throughout history, the beauty of Snæfellsjökull has affected people spiritually, and it has been an inspiration for novelists, painters, and other artists. The best-known artwork is Jule Verne’s sci-fi novel, The Journey to the Center of the Earth, which he wrote under the volcano’s influence.
Reykjavík is the natural starting point for any visit to Iceland, and not undeservedly so. The capital is world-renowned for its culture, history, and natural beauty on all fronts.
The Þingvellir area is praised as the national shrine of Iceland due to its great historical and geological significance. Iceland’s first national park was established there in 1928, and the Þingvellir area has now been recognized for its outstanding universal value and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
During the past 10 years, Mario has lived in different countries, but now he’s back home in Conegliano to ride every steep hill in the area! Despite his focus on road cycling, he’s had some amazing moments with his beloved steel gravel bike! Mario has been a member of the ESC Team since 2019 and couldn’t be happier! He looks forward to seeing you on the road soon!
Gethyn is from Wales but has been living in Catalonia for 14 years, and having found a quiet spot in the forest not far from Girona, he has no intention of leaving. Gethyn’s been a part of the ESC team since the early days and loves the job. He rides road and gravel with friends and MTB with his dog.
The big players on the European cycling scene always top the list for the best European country for cycling: France, Italy, Spain. There’s no doubt...
