The Rift has been held annually since 2019, with around 1,000 people participating each year. The vast majority of them come from abroad.
Photo/Arnold
A new ultra-distance route will debut in this year’s edition of the
The Rift
cycling race, requiring competitors to ride a full 330 km through the Fjallabak region. Only 30 riders will be offered entry, and participation is limited to those with extensive experience and proven ability.
The Rift
is the largest annual cycling race in Iceland, drawing around one thousand participants each year. The race begins in Hvolsvöllur and heads into the Fjallabak region. Until now, two distances have been available: 140 km and 200 km, with the latter remaining the main competition distance.
In recent years, however, ultra-distance gravel races have become increasingly popular abroad. This is the case, for example, in
Unbound
, the largest gravel race in Kansas, USA. Its original and most popular distance is 200 miles (about 320 km). Shorter distances are also available, but in recent years an XL category has been added, extending to 350 miles (about 560 km).
The new Icelandic ultra-distance, named The Abyss, will for the first time take competitors through the eastern part of Syðra-Fjallabak. As a result, riders will encounter far more river and stream crossings than before. The route will now run from Laufafell to Álftavatn, requiring a crossing of the Markarfljót river.
The course then continues across Mælifellssandur which, as seen last year, can be challenging to traverse under certain conditions. From Mælifellssandur, riders proceed down the route known as Öldufellsleið, offering extensive views of Mýrdalsjökull from both the sands and the eastern side. The race then follows Fjallabaksleið nyrðri to Landmannalaugar, where numerous river fords must be crossed — ensuring that riders will get thoroughly wet along the way.
From there, competitors head to Landmannahellir, where the route rejoins the same track used in the 200 km race for the return ride to Hvolsvöllur.
In total, this new course includes 4,600 meters of elevation gain, equivalent to climbing more than two Hvannadalshnúkur peaks.
In addition to introducing the new ultra-distance route, the organizers are also adding a shorter 60 km race called The Crack.