Crossing Iceland: Through the interior on a bike
Photo by Evan Ruderman / Stachehouse Productions
Most travelers to Iceland are familiar with the Ring Road––the highway that circumnavigates the island near the coast. This and other paved roads are the primary means of transportation around the country, which spans roughly 200 miles north-south and 300 miles east-west. Practically all of the population lives near the coast as well. But there is the vast interior of the island, known as the Highlands, famous for its wilderness and mystery. Seen by relatively few people and crossed by no paved roads, the Highlands are riddled with volcanoes, capped by glaciers, and scoured by raging rivers. This inhospitable landscape certainly sounds like no place for a bike ride, but that is exactly what Payson McElveen set out to do––ride his bike from one side to the other.
Biking the Icelandic Highlands is nothing new. In fact, it’s become a somewhat popular destination for bikepacking trips in recent years. But while a bikepackers take multiple days for a journey and carry camping gear, no one is known to have crossed the expanse within a single day. McElveen, a former pro gravel racer from Colorado, knew that doing so would not only set a world record, but also set a new bar for the sport of endurance cycling in Iceland.
In September of 2021, McElveen began by dipping his bike wheel in the northern sea before pedaling southward. 19 hours and 45 minutes later, he arrived in the town of Vik on the southern coast, 257 riding miles from where he started. To see all that he endured along the way, and hear more about his story, watch this video from Redbull TV, and read the interview with Payson below.
About the film, McElveen had this to say: “I’m thrilled to bring viewers into my history-making Iceland adventure through my new film ‘Crossing Iceland.’ This excursion was the truest test of my physical and mental stamina but set against the amazingly diverse landscape of Iceland. I hope that [viewers] can experience the same level of awe that I did in traversing this country.”
Though McElveen was self supported in the sense that he carried all his required food and supplies, he was accompanied by a film crew that included renowned photographer and adventurer Chris Burkard. Burkard has himself traversed Iceland by bicycle before, but in the more traditional multi-day fashion. Burkard says that McElveen’s feat inspired him for historical reasons, “More than just an athletic achievement, Payson’s ride pays homage to thousands of years of overland travel through this wild country. It’s nearly impossible to describe the experience to anyone who hasn’t sunk their tires deep into [Iceland’s] remote and endless gravel roads. But this film captures the highs and lows of his impressive journey in a way that can only be compared to a near mythical achievement. Fitting for Iceland to say the least.”
In case you’re out there thinking you could match his feat, Payson says he’d love to see others attempt the record. He wants to make sure everyone understands potential dangers of the route, however. He says, “The interior of Iceland is an extremely harsh place. When I got up there and saw it for the first time, it felt completely otherworldly – like I was visiting an alien planet. It feels like you’re not supposed to be there. I had the distinct sense that I wanted to get through it and back down to safety as fast as I could. For others interested, I would strongly recommend riding in the warmer, dryer months of the summer, with more clothing and food than you think you need. Iceland is the most beautiful country I have ever ridden through, with volcanoes, glaciers, desert and weather that will make you feel extremely small and vulnerable. After this ride, I have a full appreciation for giving this wild land the respect and admiration it deserves.”
Photo by Evan Ruderman / Stachehouse Productions
Photo by Evan Ruderman / Stachehouse Productions
