Days on this trip are about riding. A typical day means breakfast, packing up (if you're bikepacking) and getting onto the road while your guide handles navigation. Terrain changes a lot within a single day: smooth tarmac along the coast, then loose gravel climbing inland, then packed dirt tracks across open lava fields. You stop for photos at waterfalls, refuel wherever there's a petrol station or café, and finish at a campsite or guesthouse.

What sets this apart from a standard cycling holiday is that there's no fixed itinerary. You fill out an application and are honest about your fitness, then the operator gets in touch to discuss ideas. From there they prepare a formal proposal with the route, number of days and final price. You can ride the whole ring road loop or a shorter piece of it, camp most nights or sleep indoors most nights.

The trip is led by Alter, founded by Chris Case. In summer 2021, Chris and riding partner Matt circled Iceland in 13 days, riding roughly 200 km a day, and filmed it. The film, "Alt-Ring Iceland", gives a clear picture of the scenery, terrain and weather you'll deal with, and it's worth watching before you apply.

Iceland in summer means long daylight. In July you can sleep under the midnight sun, which makes long riding days easier to schedule and camp evenings bright. You'll likely see Arctic waterfowl along rivers and coastlines, and you can try local food along the way, including fermented shark if you're brave.

Your guide's local knowledge matters a lot here. They know where the next food stop is, can sort out bike and gear repairs on the road, and can point you to restaurants in the towns you pass through. Since meals can be hard to find in remote parts of the island, that help is a big part of what you're paying for.

Groups are limited to four riders unless special arrangements are made, so you get close attention from the guide and the pace is set by a handful of people rather than a big peloton.

What's included

- Expertly guided riding days - Custom route and logistics plan built around your group - Pre-trip consultation and formal proposal - Accommodation in guesthouses and/or campsites as agreed in your plan - Local help with bike and gear repairs on the road - Help finding food stops and restaurants along the route

What's not included

- Flights to and from Iceland - Meals (highly variable on the route) - Travel insurance (recommended) - Gravel/all-road bike and gear - Personal expenses