Atlantica - Iceland Review

ICY CYCLING
Photos by Lucy Mallows
Lucy Mallows discovers a great way to appreciate
Iceland’s magical capital – from the saddle of
a guided bike tour
The frozen Reykjavík pond glowing in the November evening sun.
“Wriggle your toes to keep your
feet warm and follow me!”
shouted gentle giant Stefán,
as he set off, pedaling along the middle of the
road straight towards an oncoming car, which,
with Icelandic good manners, slowed down
and gave way. Our group of novice cyclists followed
in slightly less cavalier fashion, through
the streets of Reykjavík, Iceland’s cycle-friendly
capital.
In winter months, the dark, cold weather can
make even the healthiest person feel lethargic
and keen to snuggle up with a hot chocolate
in the corner of a cozy café, however getting
out and about in the open air and making the
most of the brief daylight hours is a real energy
booster.
In late November, I fulfilled a life-long ambition,
visiting Reykjavík for the first time, and
on day one, I set out to explore Iceland’s arty,
44 atlantica
friendly capital in a new style: on a guided
bicycle ride.
When the winter streets are slippery, cycling
on sturdy rubber tires is, surprisingly, a more
assured way of getting about than skidding on
the glacial sidewalks.
The tour, led by Stefán Valsson, a native
Reykjavíkian and trained tour guide, really helps
visitors connect with the environment as there
are many stops at places of interest, where
Valsson provides fascinating, often humorous,
anecdotes and brief history lessons.
We set off from the Old Harbor and the ride
took in some of the classic Reykjavík tourist
sights, but often Valsson suddenly stuck out his
arm to signal and veered off down a back road
or secret alleyway that only locals know.
The bicycles are not uncomfortable, spinenagging
mountain bikes, but more of the ‘sit
up and beg’ city bike variety; a good choice for