Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT. Heated grips,
Battle-wing tyres, and extendable
screen, ABS, traction control. All of
which helped but couldn’t fend off
the worst weather conditions I’ve ever
faced in my 13 years of riding across
Europe.
As I pulled my helmet on to leave
Myvatn, with the wind and rain con-
tinuing to crash against my face, I
wondered what on earth I was doing
to myself. To reach my Arctic goal I
had to ride another 100 miles through
this punishing weather and catch a
small ship the following day, 3 hours
across to the small island of Grimsey,
the only place where the Arctic Circle
crosses the Icelandic territory. My
own obsession with the Arctic wasn’t
the only reason I was here. As with
my Norway trip in 2014, I was using
my adventure as a fundraising tool to
raise money for charities back home
who’d done wonders for my family.
Firstly Cerebra, a brain injury char-
ity who has supported my younger
TRAVERSE 97