Iceland has a manner of reminding you the way small you’re. Attending the RIFT MTB was my second time within the land of fireside and ice, and it didn’t disappoint. The panorama is plentiful in jagged ridges, volcanic deserts, glacial valleys, and panoramic views – it’s a land constructed to humble. But it surely additionally has a number of the greatest, most epic, and enjoyable mountain trails that I’ve ever ridden. That’s proper, Iceland is a mountain bike vacation spot, and it has its personal five-day mountain bike stage race, and it is perhaps essentially the most epic on the calendar.
This 12 months, the inaugural RIFT MTB (Offered by the group at Lauf) introduced the rawness of Iceland to mountain bike racing. Recognized already for its RIFT gravel epic, the RIFT MTB turned 5 days of Iceland’s wild terrain right into a mountain bike stage race that was equal components journey, survival, and pure unadulterated pleasure.
I’m going to place the expertise of the RIFT MTB 2025 into phrases utilizing a Q&A format. It’s one thing I’ve completed earlier than with associates coming back from epic races and lifelong journeys—their tales have been so overwhelmingly filled with data that they might barely describe them. I really feel the identical. So let’s begin from the highest.
RIFT MTB – Why a 5-Day Stage Race?
The idea was easy: take the whole lot riders love in regards to the gravel RIFT, however this time discover the Icelandic countryside (and a few sheep trails) on the mountain bike. The end result? 5 phases, every a showcase of North Iceland’s rugged magnificence, tied collectively by its tight-knit group (there’s a sweater joke in there someplace), and greater than you’d suppose potential in a rustic higher recognized for sagas than singletrack.
Who Designed Such a Feat?
Routes, recon, and rowdiness have been delivered to us by Bergur Benediktsson, an Icelandic mountain bike powerhouse in his personal proper and Lauf Bicycles engineer. He and the group in Iceland needed to showcase the pure fantastic thing about the encompassing land whereas additionally placing riders safely on the most effective single observe potential.
A lot of the race takes place in North Iceland and the encompassing areas, with Akureyri (Iceland’s second-largest metropolis) serving because the jumping-off level/central hub. Three out of the 5 phases began from the lodge on the town the place many of the groups have been staying, the opposite two, riders have been bused to the beginning location, together with their bikes (a feat in itself, however extra on that later).
Epic-Icelandic Vibes
What’s the format of the race? It’s a duo-race format, so there are not any solo riders. Every pair rides collectively and is scored collectively, although they need to end inside two minutes of one another. The time is cumulative, so you possibly can have a smoking quick day and take the lead, however a flat or wreck may take you out of that lead simply as quick. It makes the racing thrilling and rewards consistency, with a splash of luck for good measure. My accomplice was Ryan Popple, my teammate on Cycle-Good, an in depth good friend, a super-fast man, and somebody I may spend a variety of time on the bike with, with out going bonkers.
What’s the vibe of the race? From the second we arrived on the native lodge (Resort Akureyri), I may inform this was a unique race expertise than I used to be accustomed to. Everybody was strolling round constructing bikes and in awe of the pure surprise of the place we have been. Many wide-eyed racers (each from sleep schedule adjustments and Icelandic overload) wandered across the pits, constructing their bikes, introducing themselves, and fascinating in small speak. There have been no “race faces” right here, no riders within the nook with their Director Sportif planning the day’s assaults. There have been riders, having fun with group and the privilege of the expertise, joyful to participate in one thing so distinctive.
Setting the Tone – RIFT Stage One
The opening stage set the tone for the subsequent 5 days. Riders rolled straight out of Akureyri’s downtown, tracing the fjord earlier than climbing towards the Hlíðarfjall ski slopes. The stage was a mixture of pure ache in climbing and pure elation within the descent via the bike park. It was brief, sharp, and gorgeous—1,480 meters (4,800 ft.) of vertical packed into lower than 40 kilometers (24 miles). We raced exhausting, everybody eager to be first to the park descent, after which enjoying catch-up or “drop that group” via the forest.
At dinner that night time, nevertheless, the tone was set. All of the racers and occasions workers loved a communal dinner. It was like sleep-away camp, the place we met new associates, chatted about what their day was like, and the way they loved the terrain, the whole lot. A observe that sure – we’re racing, however we’re all mountain bikers, and this group is deep.
Get Critical
What did you do while you’re not racing/using? Often, after a race day, most “tremendous critical” riders can be within the lodge, legs up, preparing for the subsequent day. Nevertheless, even essentially the most critical riders on the RIFT MTB took the time to discover the city, pattern the native meals (sizzling canine), and expertise the pure sizzling springs surrounding it. It was well worth the little bit of tightness within the morning to expertise the panorama. The vibe was appreciative and community-focused. Every group knew how distinctive an expertise it was, and so they took complete benefit.
The phases took wherever from two to 6 hours to finish, not together with the time spent on the bus touring to and from the race venue. However more often than not, we frolicked with our newfound associates (or labored – bike information and training stops for nobody).
Ryan Popple and I frolicked with UK buddies from MBUK.com and anybody who was right down to discover the Akureyri life. We visited an area pool (swimming pools are a giant a part of Icelandic tradition and are usually heat, though the skin temperature is cool), and, towards our higher judgment for leg integrity, we took many laps on the water slide.
A number of the crew went to see Múr and took in some Icelandic metallic, whereas others (like us) selected to remain near the lodge and protect our legs by watching Hjálmar (Icelandic reggae band) close to the lodge.
What Was My Favourite/Most Memorable Stage?
Every stage was completely different; the primary two phases have been comparable, however then we went off the map. If I needed to pinpoint one stage that was the most effective (and broke me barely), it might be Stage three, the queen stage; Siglufjörður to Dalvík, with round 6,400 ft of climbing in about 36 miles. This stage pushed my limits; it was epic in each sense of the phrase.
Like a Mountain Dew industrial and a Purple Bull advert marketing campaign all tied in on the day on the bike. Your complete day (and the race for essentially the most half), I had “The Pursuit of Vikings” by Amon Amarth or “JaJa Ding Dong” caught in my head. Each are uniquely fitted to the Icelandic panorama and saved me on observe.
The stage was billed as “robust,” however I don’t suppose any of us knew simply how distinctive the robust was. It was a mixture of climbing and descending, which began excellently. The paths have been otherworldly. No forests, no timber, simply rocks, and carved traces that have been deep and full of hero filth.
Is {That a} Galcier?
Absolutely the epicness of the day began after the second feed zone, the place the path (mountain) pointed straight up. We cleared the primary half, after which got here the hike-a-bike—a lot of climbing and biking. We have been climbing up a mountain, to trip throughout a glacier, after which down the identical mountain.
It was now clear (nicely, probably not, as you couldn’t see too far in entrance of you), however this was going to be one thing new. Footing on the terrain was restricted and free. Carrying the bike, and never dropping it, was a priority, but additionally “racing” and going exhausting was a pleasant distraction from the cliffsides we have been scaling.
Lastly, we reached the highest, took a photograph, and began the descent, however one thing occurred. We crested the summit and will see the snow of the glacier. The terrain consisted of gravel (much like pea gravel) and volcanic rock. We began the descent, and it was dicey. I hit my brakes barely, however went sooner (wtf, proper?!), sliding on the gravel, fishtailing right into a boulder. I wrecked and received a rear flat with a couple of plugable holes. With the group in entrance of us pulling away, we went into preservation mode.
Take a Breath & Look Round
Gassed (and barely confused) from the epic climb, we scrambled goofily to repair the flat. I laid the bike down (on the drive-side like a goof) and began working with all thumbs. We managed to plug the holes with a couple of trusty Dynaplugs, and we gave the impression to be all set for takeoff. I stood the bike as much as study our work, however Ryan was standing on my chain, and it snapped. Like a kick within the abdomen and a punch to the face…however actuality hit me; “we’re in Iceland on a mountain, overlooking a glacier – take a breather and go searching….WOW”
We received the whole lot mounted and began the descent into Dalvík (the identical place made common within the film Hearth Saga: Eurovision Tune Contest). At this level, I simply needed to finish this stage, however the panorama was too epic to look away, each worrying however stoking my pleasure. We traversed extra once-in-a-lifetime single-track trails and crossed a sizzling waterfall on a bridge with no railings. It felt like an influence ballet that saved going, however I used to be searching for the top. I bear in mind saying to Ryan, “I’m uninterested in the epic shit, I simply want a street proper now. I apparently wanted a Snickers bar….as I used to be not myself”
I used to be able to hammer residence, however the Icelandic wilderness “stood in my manner”. The ultimate path into city was known as “Jaja Ding Dong,” a homage to Hearth Saga, and I used to be joyful to see it. However even in spite of everything that climbing whereas biking, the wrecking, the tiredness, the rain (and/or hail), I used to be nonetheless smiling after we bombed down Jaja. The path was too good, the surroundings too unreal, and I used to be slightly cracked (mentally and bodily). I’d prefer to suppose a tear rolled down my face…I’m undecided… however it was lovely. All of the feelings in a single stage – I wouldn’t commerce it for something.
What I Rode – Lauf Elja XC
While you race in Iceland, it solely feels proper to trip a motorcycle born there. Each Ryan Popple and I rode the Lauf Elja. It’s my private bike, and I’m very acquainted with its dealing with. It’s wonderful within the terrain RIFT serves up and appears like a longer-travel machine, making it an ideal alternative for the week. Right here’s a motorcycle verify of my gear, together with a couple of of my favourite items of package that helped make life simpler alongside the best way.
Body: The Lauf Elja carbon body MED (I’m 5’11” for these questioning)
Fork: RockShox SID Final Flight Attendant with 120 mm journey
Wheels & Tires: Hunt Confirmed XC Race, Maxxis Recon/Recon Race 2.35 – Goodyear 2.6 (after shredding Recon Race in a crash)
Cockpit Roval Management One Piece cock pit (80mmx780mm)
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS dropper 100mm
Drivetrain & Brakes: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission with a 34T ring 170mm cranks, and SRAM Degree Final Stealth 4-piston brakes
Weight: My Lauf Elja construct weighed ~11.7 kg (25.8 lbs) when totally arrange with sealant, and Vittoria Air-Liner Lite XC liners
Flat Assist: Dyna Plug and my Viair Recon Mini Rider
Journey Bike Bag: Thule Spherical Journey MTB Bag
In Trip Meals: Plenty of First Endurance Gels, Drink Combine, and By no means Second Bars
Beer: Víking Gylltur
Hotdogs: Vegan Lava Canine at Pylsuvagninn in Akureyri
Any Gear Remorse or Switchouts?
My gear was wonderful, and I wouldn’t have modified a factor. Nevertheless, I might have carried much less on my again in my Velocio pack and trusted the remainder stops for meals and water. I used to be barely apprehensive about operating out of water within the lava desert phases and took an excessive amount of with me every day. The Lauf Elja can simply match two water bottles (with a aspect load on the downtube), and it wasn’t a problem, not like what I had anticipated. The Hunt wheels have been a bet, although I had religion in them – I’m a giant fan.
Nevertheless, taking an XC wheelset with carbon spokes on a five-day stage race, the place the terrain consisted of rocks on rocks, wasn’t a secure alternative. The wheels took many hits and various crashes. They earned their place on the race machine and served valiantly. The Hunt Confirmed XC Race stood as much as the whole lot. I put them on the truing stand after I received residence, and so they have been pretty much as good as after I left. Wonderful efficiency for an “XC wheel”.
What Was My Crash Tally?
And whilst you’d count on a race of this scale to rack up a listing of crashes and carnage, the damage rely was surprisingly tame. I had a handful of crashes, however principally after I appeared down at my Garmin to see the subsequent flip. In a Pavlovian response to the Garmin’s “beep-beep-beep,” I might look down, after which hit a rock, and over the bars I went. (That jogs my memory, thanks, Trek, for the helmet.)
How in regards to the others? An epic race like this could have an epic crash tally and hospital payments (within the States) to match. However no; only one damaged collarbone, one damaged finger, and an entire lot of sore butts and legs. It’d as nicely have been the native weeknight crit with a tally like that. Riders walked (or hobbled) away with extra delight and recollections than scars. This speaks to the race organizers, who, via pre-race conferences, ensured the riders knew their limits. I used to be astonished after I heard the record, and it displays extremely on the RIFT MTB assist group.
Last Ideas – The RIFT Guidelines
The RIFT MTB may have been chaos. Distant phases, risky climate, and logistical nightmares have been all actual dangers. As a substitute, it ran like a seasoned traditional. The phases balanced brutality with magnificence, and the ambiance was pure Icelandic hospitality.
The race provided riders a full buffet: lengthy climbs, technical descents, uncovered ridges, and volcanic moonscapes that may’t be discovered wherever else. It examined legs, lungs, my mind, and gear, however greater than something, it gave riders a narrative to inform. And whereas many anticipated carnage, the damage record was refreshingly brief. The RIFT MTB reminded us that epic doesn’t must imply unsafe; it simply means unforgettable.
Would I am going again? Completely. The RIFT MTB is greater than a race. It was a life expertise that I’ll always remember. It pushed me out of my consolation zone, and I’m stronger for it. Moreover, I made many associates and created actually priceless recollections. I’m desperate to return to Iceland.
Try the complete particulars of the RIFT MTB right here.
