Photos from this story
Iceland
By: Mark Matthews Photos: Scott Bell
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Let me tell you about the Icelandic mountain biking scene— it’s on the rise!
These riders and trail builders are straight-up legends, pushing hard for more trail access despite the huge challenges they face, like limited resources and strict environmental restrictions. They're on a mission to create new mountain biking opportunities.... and their passion is absolutely contagious!
Back in 2018, I rolled into Iceland like a 'wannabe Viking'....ready to conquer the trails. But, I caught some heat for riding in ecologically sensitive zones. Fast forward four years, and I'm back with a very exciting and rewarding project to showcase Iceland's small, but powerful mountain bike community. You see, these local riders face all kinds of challenges that restrict their access to beautiful landscapes, and us outsiders often visit without a clue about their situation. And, our actions can seriously mess with their ability to shred in their own backyard.
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Now, in many parts of Iceland, there aren't a ton of purpose-built trails for mountain biking.
But guess what? These riders have found a way to make it happen by using sheep trails. Yeah, you heard me right.
Sheep trails!
Those furry dudes have been shaping trails across the country for ages, and now they're providing access to amazing back country zones. Who knew sheep were trailblazing pioneers?
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It was a mind-blowing ride in Landmannalaugar.
Picture this: vibrant rhyolite mountains, geothermal hotspots that could cook a mean Icelandic hotdog, and jaw-dropping peaks everywhere you look. It's like you've been teleported to a dimension where the laws of awesomeness reign supreme!
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Props to groups like 640 MTB in Húsavík and the crew running Hlioarfjall Bike Park—they're relentlessly working towards sustainable trail development. They're showing how mountain biking and Iceland's environment can vibe together, no problemo.
Advocating for more mountain bike trails in Iceland isn’t easy. Local riders face a ton of challenges, from securing land access to getting permission to build new trails. The whole process can feel like navigating a maze of bureaucracy, dealing with government agencies and landowners. It's a wild ride, for sure.
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These folks are on a purposeful mission. They're overcoming the obstacles, respecting Iceland's unique environment, and developing progressive trails. Huge shout-out to all the Icelanders who opened up to us and showed us their world.
You guys rock!
#KAVUDAYS
Note: Just stay on the trails;-))
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