Join us for an unforgettable cycling adventure at the Westfjords Way Challenge 2025! This is your chance to ride through the stunning landscapes of Iceland’s Westfjords, where adventure, camaraderie, and FUN come together. 💪
With most of your journey covered – from cozy accommodations to hearty meals – all you need to do is enjoy the ride. 🚴♂️✨
This is a fun-filled adventure you don’t want to miss!
Are you ready to challenge yourself and make memories that’ll last a lifetime? 🙌
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#westfjordswaychallenge #cyclingrace #cyclingiceland #adventurecycling #endurancecycling #arnawfwc #gravelgrinder #gravelraces #exploreiceland🇮🇸 #morethanarace #funchallenge
The 2023 Arctic Fish Midnight Special | Stage Four [Watch the full video on youtube]
Waffles, waterfalls, midnight sun, and every temperament of Icelandic weather in just 24 hours— what more could you ask for on an epic final day of the Arna Westfjords Way Challenge and the inaugural edition of the Arctic Fish Midnight Special?
The Arctic Fish Midnight Special [2024 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!] is the final stage of the #ArnaWFWC, and an official one-day gravel race from Patreksfjörður to Ísafjörður. For our Challenge riders who had been testing their limits all week, this day was HARD. A lighthearted 2am waffle party and beautiful sunrise colors quickly gave way to more headwinds throughout the day. Riders were tested to their absolute limits crossing the freezing, windy final mountain pass before descending to the finish. AFMS riders ran their own race and forbade any strategy to overlap with the Challenge riders, but groups within each race were strong.
We’ve been following a few of the rider stories through the stages – stories about competition, connection, and finding meaning in the shared suffering. Watch how it all plays out in Episode 4, now live on Youtube (link in bio).
And, start getting excited for 2024 because REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Arctic Fish Midnight Special! Join the final stage of the @westfjordswaychallenge riding 211 kilometers starting at midnight on July 28, 2024! We have a special early bird price for one week so go ahead and get your tickets now!
#arcticfishmidnightspecial #arnawfwc #westfjordswaychallenge #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #morethanjustarace #endurancecycling #adventurecycling
Waffles, waterfalls, midnight sun, and every temperament of Icelandic weather in just 24 hours— this was an epic final stage of the Arna Westfjords Way Challenge and inaugural edition of the Arctic Fish Midnight Special. Episode 4 is coming out soon!
This is the final day of riding for the #ArnaWFWC riders, but it also doubles as a one-day gravel race for riders coming in on fresh legs. Find out how the competition played out this year between fresh and final legs, and start getting excited for 2024 because registration for the Arctic Fish Midnight Special opens Wednesday October 25 at 14:00 GMT!
#arcticfishmidnightspecial #arnawfwc #westfjordswaychallenge #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #morethanjustarace #endurancecycling #adventurecycling
The 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge | Fjallakofinn Stage Three [Watch the full video on youtube]
Stage 3 is a big push – this is where the real ‘ultra’ mentality comes in, since there’s one long stretch with no resupply. The days really do just keep getting tougher. This day was all about getting it done. The men’s lead group stayed tight and battled the wind together. In the women’s category, leaders broke off into groups and tried out different strategies. The race was getting tighter, and a much-needed rest day was just on the horizon, but not before a quick stop at Birkimelur hot pot, where we served up a taste of true Icelandic pool culture – a soak, a chat, and a pool-side coffee from Kaffitar.
A huge thanks to @Fjallakofinn for their Stage 3 support, including the pop-up shop during our adventure/ rest day in Patreksfjörður.
The full episode is out now, and registration for 2023 is open! Click the link in our bio to watch the full video, and stay tuned for the Arctic Fish Midnight Special Stage Four finale next week!
#arnawfwc #westfjordswaychallenge #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #morethanjustarace #endurancecycling #adventurecycling
Up next in the 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge video series: @fjallakofinn Stage Three!
The days really do keep getting tougher. Weather, mechanicals – Iceland throws it all at our riders in Stage 3.. Episode 3 comes out Friday – stay tuned!
#arnawfwc #westfjordswaychallenge #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #morethanjustarace #endurancecycling #adventurecycling
The 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge | 66 North Stage Two [Watch the full video on Youtube]
The weather predictions were right: this was shaping up to be a tough week. The riders were already feeling it after fighting headwinds and rain on Stage One, and today was no different. Stage Two really starts to test the riders, and makes them dig deep to their ‘why.’ Why travel to ride bikes? Why take on such extreme distances in brutal weather? Why push your body to its breaking point? The answer is different for everyone, and everyone brings a story with them. The beauty of this race is that we get to share them, and build community with each other and with this country, by experiencing Cultural Connections like Holar Farm.
This family-run non-profit animal rescue is pure, contagious joy. Riders can pet all the animals, feed goats, and chat with Rebecca, the amazing owner who runs this non-profit with her family. Connection is what our race is all about, and we’re grateful that people from all over the world get to experience the hospitality and contagious positivity of the Westfjords, especially when they need it most. We’re grateful to Rebecca and her family for welcoming us and being such a special part of the race. If you’d like to support @holarfarm , you can donate via our website: https://cyclingwestfjords.com/product/donation-to-holar-farm/
Another huge thanks to @66North for their support of Stage Two, and for keeping Iceland warm since 1926.
The full episode is out now. Click the link in our bio to watch the full video, and stay tuned for Stages 3 and 4!
#arnawfwc #westfjjordswaychallenge #morethanjustarace #videoseries #gravelrace #endurancerace #cyclingrace #westfjords #iceland #visitwestfjords
The 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge video series continues next week with episode two: @66North Stage Two!
Stay tuned for even more weather, competition, and of course, all the cuddly animals at Holar Farm. This is the stage that starts to test people – it challenges riders to dig deep and remember their ‘why.’ This is what we mean when we say “More than just a race.”
Episode two comes out Monday. Stay tuned!
#arnawfwc #westfjordswaychallenge #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #morethanjustarace #endurancecycling #adventurecycling
The 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge video series is here! We’re kicking off this year’s registration with a look back at the highs and lows of last year. So sit back, get excited, and find out what you’re in for!
Episode 1: @Icelandair Stage One [Watch the full video on Youtube]
Weather was the only thing on anyone’s mind in the days leading up to the start of the 2024 #ArnaWFWC. True to Icelandic nature, you can never predict the weather until you’re in it – and this year, we got the worst of it.
The riders who showed up came for the community around the race, and the unique format of our cultural connections. Others came to win. Last year’s first-place winner Arnþór Gústavsson came back to defend his title, and day one proved that this year the competition, and the weather, would put up a fight.
The first episode is out now. Click the link in our bio to watch the full video, and stay tuned for weekly releases of Stages 2, 3, and 4!
#ArnaWFWC #Westfjordswaychallenge #morethanjustarae #gravelrace #stagerace #cyclingrace #cyclingwestfjords #bikepackingiceland #endurancecycling
The @fjallakofinn Stage 3 is OFFICIALLY over, now that our last riders have rolled in! While we finally had some decent weather, Stage 3 was still a slow one and most riders arrived in Patreksfjörður by midnight — but Christine Bartmuss and Roland Bartmuss found a place to camp on route, and finished the stage during our @grainlyfoods Adventure Day. Just in time for a quick sleep before departing on the #ArcticFishMidnightSpecial.
As of now, @slava.goodzenko is still holding first, followed by @arntorgustavs in second and @gummi79 in third. In the women’s race, @irisoskhjaltadottir is still holding first, followed by @weronika.szalas in second and @sinquee in third!
The Arctic Fish Midnight Special riders are arriving now with fresh legs, and all riders will start the final stage together at midnight. Tune in for the live stream of the start!
#MoreThanJustaRace #ArnaWFWC #CyclingWestfjords #Iceland #Westfjords #Gravelrace #cyclingrace
Today is our @grainlyfoods Adventure Day, but for most everyone it will feel more like a much-needed rest day. Riders can be found soaking at the local pool, napping at the community hall, or doing a bit of retail therapy and stocking up at the @fjallakofinn pop-up-store!
We’ll also meet up with the #ArcticFishMS riders for an authentic fish fry at @flakrestaurant . Keep watching our stories for all the action, and a live-stream of the highly-anticipated midnight start! The live stream will start around 11:58 GMT. See you there!
#westfjordswaychallenge #morethanjustarace #westfjords #iceland #graverace #cyclingrace #grainly
@66North Stage 2 had the hardest Icelandic weather we’ve ever had!
74 riders started the Stage and 64 finished last night at Vogur Country Lodge. Tough weather conditions from day one carried over, and riders were fighting it head on for most of the 243 km day.
Due to Iceland’s strong winds, drafting is allowed in the race — and today most riders took advantage. But while the lead peloton stuck together, Sviatoslav Gudzenko charged on solo directly into a brutal headwind, putting a whole 7 minute gap on the rest of the lead group. The women’s race is also heating up, and the top 3 are going back and forth for podium positions. @irisoskhjaltadottir took 1st from @weronika.szalas by the end of the stage, but the race is close and you never know what Iceland will throw at you.
Here are a few more highlights from this long, epic day:
🧙♀️Soup, coffee and a spooky tour of the @sorcerymuseum
🐑 More coffee, cakes and history at the @sheepfarmingmuseum
🧇 A cozy lunch at Cafe Riishús in Borðeyri
☕️ Another coffee break and tour through the historical The Leif Eiriksson center in Búðardalur
🐴 All the hugs, cakes, animal cuddles, and great vibes at @holarfarm
💤 Finally rolling into Vogur Country lodge for a warm meal and good sleep after the final 35k of muddy gravel
Stage 3 is underway now. Keep watching our stories and the live tracker in our bio for updates!
#MoreThanJustaRace #ArnaWFWC #cyclingwestfjords #gravelrace #cyclingrace
Cultural Connection shout-out!
Day two really starts to test morale on this route, especially with todays weather, and @holarfarm couldn’t come at a better time. This family-run non-profit animal rescue is the perfect place to fill up on contagious joy before finishing out the long day of riding. Today the riders pet all the animals, fed goats, jumped on the trampoline , and chatted with Rebecca, the amazing owner who runs this non-profit with her family. Motivated solely by a love for these animals, the non-profit is run entirely on entrances for tours and donations.
If you’d like to support Rebecca and her work at @holarfarm, you can donate via our website (link in bio).
@holarfarm is all about creating connection between people, place, and of course — the animals. This is what our race is all about, and we’re so happy people from all over the world get to experience the hospitality and contagious positivity of the Westfjords, especially when they need it most.
#MoreThanJustaRace #ArnaWFWC #cyclingwestfjords #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #westfjords
@icelandair Stage 1, complete!
78 riders from over 15 countries gathered in Ísafjörður this week to conquer the Westfjords Way. While some took the scenic route biking all the way from Reykjavik, most hopped on an @icelandair flight — then we all kicked off the week together at the @isafjordurhotels race expo! A big shout-out to Icelandair for supporting the race, and getting us to the start line!
The first day threw around a good taste of Icelandic weather with plenty of wind, rain and sunshine to go around — and of course, plenty of great food and hot pot soaking. Stage 2 is underway now, and weather is looking similarly unpredictable today. Keep watching our stories and the live tracker in our bio to see how it unfolds!
#MoreThanJustaRace #ArnaWFWC #cyclingwestfjords #gravelrace #cyclingrace #iceland #westfjords
