Iceland-2018-Data

Some facts about our Italy – Iceland Motorbike Trip in 2018. Hope that the few details may be of help in organising your own adventure. For any inquiry, just email me: umberto.straccia@gmail.com

Title Italy – Iceland Motorbike Trip 2018
Dates 13 July – 06 August, 2018
Days 25
KM Total 7675km, on Iceland ca. 3800km, of which ca. 800km off-road.
Motorbike BMW R 1200 GS 2010, Tires Mitas E07. For a detailed description see the motorbike section in the menu.
Who Umberto Straccia (me) and Maria Pia Nuti (my wife), on one motorbike (+ another couple on one Motorbike)
Countries Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Iceland.
Itinerary Lucca (Italy) – Hirtshals (Denmark) – Ferry to Seydisfjördur (Iceland) – Hengifoss – Djupivogur – Djupivogur – Hofn – Jokulsarlon – Skaftafell – Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Vik – Skogafoss – Reykholt – Gullfoss – Geysir – Pingvellir – Reykjavik – Borgarnes – Londrangar – Dritvik – Helissandur – Olafsvik – Stykkishólmur – Ferry Brjianslaekur – Raudisandur – Breidavik – Reykjarfjörður- Dynjandi – Pingeyri – Sudureyri – Bolungarvik – Hvammstangi – Krossness – Blondous – Saudarkrokur – Siglufjodur – Akureyri – F35 – Gulfoss – Fludir – F26 – Godafoss – Laugar – – Lake Myvtan – Krafla – Vopnafjörður – Askja – Egilstadir – Seydisfjördur, Ferry to Hirtshals (Denmark), Lucca (Italy).
Itinerary Maps Global Map Overview
Pictures You can find some pictures about the trip Iceland 2018 Motorbike Tour.
Insurances Health Insurance: Allianz Global Insurance (Destination Europe + Med). My Motorcycle insurance covered Europe + Iceland on the green card. Motorcycle receovery insurance (Europe Insurance Moto NoProblem).
Border Crossings Remarks Nothing specific to comment.
Maps
Cartography I took the Iceland map from Reise Know-How
and the detailed section maps of Iceland from IDNU.
Navigation maps A good navigator helps, makes life easier in the
country side of remote areas. I have a Touratech‘s version of the Zumo 550 from Garmin. Concerning the maps, you can rely on those provided from the OpenStreetMap project. Specifically, there are some places on the web from which you may download directly maps (called OSM maps) that you can install into Garmin’s Basecamp and then into your Garmin device. I used the Garmin Openstreet Map to download a map for Iceland to be installed into Garmin’s Basecamp, which then allows you to transfer the map to your Garmin device together with your daily trips. I also used JaVaWa GMTK, to load multiple OSM maps into BaseCamp.
Google Maps I used Google maps to figure out my daily trips, which then I’ve copied manually into Basecamp. Personally I preferred this two step approach rather than doing it directly in Basecamp.
Equipment Satellite phone with emergency button (Inmarsat IsatPhone 2), laptop, 5l spare fuel, puncture kit, various tools, spare motorbike lamps, 1L motor oil, 1L Gearbox oil. For a detailed check list see the relative section in the menu.
Travel Guide Books Lonely Planet guide of Iceland
Fuel
Iceland In case of off-road driving, prepare yourself beforehand where to make fuel. On the maps I had, the fuel stations were indicated and were there. At Möðrudalur, on the way to Askja, take into account that you may not get any fuel. So be prepared and take care of your canisters as someone else may be short of benzine.
About Documents I’ve made a colour copy of all my docs and also stored them on USB pen and Dropbox
Downloads You may download my Morocco Garmin routes as GPX data or KML data.
General Notes
Money I took euro with me. But I used them rarely. Credit card works almost everywhere. Just take also some Iceland krone for benzine in case the credit card fails.
Addresses I have stored in my phone, paper and in electronic format on USB pen and e.g., Dropbox.com the important addresses I need for emergency (also the few motorbike shops around in the Iceland.
Asking about Help People are keen to help you.
Roads From easy to very demanding for two up ride. Much rain and strong wind. Some gravel roads and river crossings may get impossible to drive after heavy rain. Also, river crossing in the morning is better than in the afternoon as the water level may rise (even 20-30cm)