In June of 2019, a long-time friend (@duffyworsham), and I (@bufferboesch) set out to Cycle Iceland’s Ring Road in its entirety. We had planned the trip for months. We diligently researched and prepared for our journey. Despite all our preparation, we were still surprised to find how difficult a Ring Road bicycle tour can be.

For context, I am 49 years old and would consider myself in above average condition. I have a background in ultrarunning with numerous 100-kilometer, 50 mile, and 50-kilometer races under my belt. I even have a 100 mile finish from a few years ago.

I was new to bicycle touring and had only traveled by bicycle once before, and that was in January of the same year. I had completed a 1,400 mile, unsupported solo ride from Hanoi, Vietnam to Bangkok, Thailand without much difficulty.

Because I don’t like riding in Florida, my bicycle tour training for Iceland consisted of daily 9-mile runs with longer runs on the weekend for the two months leading up to the trip.

With all that said in regards to my fitness level, cycling Iceland’s Ring Road was extremely tough physically and mentally. Every day was an absolute soul-sucking struggle until the end. It took everything I had to finish in 14 days.

Despite the difficulty, it is an amazing and absolutely stunning ride.