72Hours solo unsupported bikepacking in the Icelandic wilderness…

All in aid of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. My Bike, equipment and supplies weighed in at 40kgs at the start line. I would choose to bring less food and clothing and probably do it with someone next time to share the load too.

Trying to cycle in the thick desert sand with that much equipment was like trying to ski off-piste wearing rollerblades!

I faced a lot of sketchy scenarios out there on my own, but I’m proud of the decisions I made to get back in one piece! I had to change and shorten my intended route owing to heavy snow on one of the mountain passes I had intended to climb through (in July!)

Here are some vital statistics:

Hours on the trail: 71
Hours riding, pushing & carrying the bike and gear: 24
Rivers crossings: 41
Distance covered: 177km
Calories hauling & pedalling: 10,500kcal
Calories burned total on the trail: 19,300kcal
Metres climbed: 2493m
Crashes: 4
Unplanned night riding via head torch: 1
Punctures / mechanical issues: 0 (God, I love that bike!)
Water shortages: 1
Temperature extremes: 2 – 25C
Navigation errors: 1
Ave speed: 13.8kph
Max speed: 51.9kph
Days soaked by horizontal rain: 3
Nights spent shivering in the tent: 2
Days of sun: 1
Combined weight of bike and gear: 40kg
Money raised for Greatormond Street Hospital: £3051 (and counting!❤️‍🩹🏥👶)
Icelandic Hospitality Encounters: 2
Other people encountered mad enough to bikepack the Fjallabak: 2
Body weight lost: 3kgs

More details here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/steven-ferris-1716674642811

Questions welcome as I’d love to help some fellow bikepackers plan a trip to the Fjallabak.