02.06. 24 Djupivogur-Faskruddfjördur

Started 06:45 because I had the (correct) feeling this might become a long day. And there is less wind (W) early in the morning, making the first 20km along the Berufjord potentially much easier. Which it did. 

On this stretch I saw reindeer, so now I have seen with my own eyes that they are in Iceland. 

And fish farming

The plan was to follow a gravel mountain road providing a short alternative to Egilstadir, as well as beautiful views. The map showed >10% ascent, but what is that? I can testify that it was not 11%. There were VERY steep parts with loose gravel and stones, which made it hard to push up the bike 40kg with luggage. At about 150m the beginning of a sandstorm developed, and there I gave up. If the wind is so strong at 150m, what at the pass above 500? In any case I was hardly able to push up the bike. 

Seldom occasion along the Berufjord: no wind

So back again, adding 10km and 5 quarters to today's trip. Now I wondered how far to push today. The weather forecast for tomorrow afternoon/evening is VERY bad, making cycling more or less impossible. But I'd like to come to Egilstadir, which is a better alternative for an involuntary stay. So the further today, the less tomorrow and the easier to make it to Egilstadir. So it was Faskruddfjördur, 118km, including the extra 10. Worked pretty well in spite of three fjord stretches right against the NW wind, see map. 

A lot of last year's grass left on many farms, strange when a new spring is starting and the animals are outside

Iceland is also horses of course

And waterfalls

Coming to Stödvarfjördur, there was coffee! And calories, I really need them

Not many of those along the road, use them while you can

Under normal circumstances I would have stopped in Stödvarfjördur, but under the circumstances I took another 28km. Which was hard, because almost 20 of them were right against the wind. But I think I have learned to cope with it to some extent, just don't go too fast and accept that it takes more time. On top of this, the road is much more hilly here, like Norway. Which is no problem, but a short, steep ascent, say 30m, with a strong headwind takes quite some time, speed 5-6km/h!

Approaching Faskruddfjördir

Staying in a guesthouse in a family home, quiet, cheap and comfortable. 

Statistics:

118km, total time 9:45 active time 7:25 which gives a moving average of 15,.9km/h. Total ascent 1015m (trip's highest)

Now let's see what tomorrow brings, hope I end up in Egilstadir without trouble.