Stage 15: Selfoss – Reykjavík

The easiest way to go to Reykajvík would of course be along road 1 but considering the amount of traffic I prefer alternatives routes as long as possible. Therefore I take road 34 from the roundabout to Eyrarbakki and Ţorlákshöfn. This road is dead straight and flat as a plate; it almost feels like home.
Just before reaching the sea the road turns to right and passes the large village Eyrarbakki along the backside. Another straight and flat parts follows after which the road crosses the estuary of the Ölfusá river. Across the bridge the road follows a widening sand spit where lots of purple lupines grow.
At the end of the road I can see Ţorlákshöfn to the left but I turn right here. First I need something to eat and in the sun and sheltered from the wind it is really great weather for a long lunch. Back on my bike I’m confronted with the cold wind again and the first rolling hill. After the road crosses road 38 it climbs rather steep in a long S-curve up an old lava field. It is not really interesting up there but at least it is quiet. The road seems to be going slightly downhill but I still have to pedal as if I’m going uphill and I wonder wether my legs turned bad or that something is wrong with my bike. I cannot find a conclusive answer to that question but I guess it is my legs.

Road number 1 to Kópavogur and Reykjavík

At the end of the plain the road climbs a bit and passes over a nameless col before joining road 1. From here it is a long descent down the lava field to a just as boring other lava field. The road is straight and busy with lots of lorries passing. Not really happy cycling here. For several kilometres with a mainly descending tendency the road goes on and on before reaching a small lake with some real green grass. It is from here that I have a clear view on Kópavogur, on of the larger suburbs of Reykjavík.
The road passes along the east side of the town and becomes a two-lane motorway. I see no cycle path so I continue on the road feeling somewhat uncomfortable. It gets even worse as soon as I reach the intersection with road 92. Here I have to turn left to enter the city and I find myself on a triple carriageway going into town with high-speed traffic passing me. This road leads to the only cloverleaf junction in Iceland and I have to pass it by bike. I turn right towards the north just to end up on a dual carriageway this time.
Now it is just a matter of going straight ahead until the road has a long bend to the left at the north shore of the peninsula. At the first traffic lights I turn left and at the next traffic lights left again. I’m now on the road to the camping site where I’ve been before three weeks ago.

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