Iceland Serow Saga: Big Adventures on a Small Motorbike

by Helen Lloyd

- A compelling tale of heart-stopping adventure and immersion in nature - Searching for solitude in the wilderness, Helen Lloyd went to Iceland via the Faroe Islands for the summer of 2018. She found freedom and adventure riding her old Yamaha Serow motorbike, tackling the rough trails and deep river crossings for which Iceland is renowned. The Land of Ice and Fire is more than crevasse-ridden glaciers and lava-spewing volcanoes. Despite killer sheep, cold winds and driving rain, Iceland's steaming hot pools, strong coffee and generous people melt snow and warm hearts. With illuminating descriptions, Helen Lloyd weaves the history and traditions of the country and the colourful characters from the sagas into her own riveting story, which she tells with typical humour and humility. A must-read for anyone interested in Iceland or motorcycle travel ‘A lovely description of Iceland and the joys and perils of lone biking.’ - Ted Simon ‘Absolutely fascinating.’ - Sam Manicom

Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2020

About the author

It all started when I quit my job in 2009 with the plan to cycle from home to Cape Town. Two years and 25,000km later, I made it. After that, I cycled through Canada, US and Central America.

Then I wrote Desert Snow, my first book, about the ride through Africa. That of course did not earn me money, so I worked a real job too.

Now I'm travelling through Asia - still with the bike. Maybe I will ride a horse somewhere too.

Reviews

[Anne Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Iceland Serow Saga' is Helen Lloyd's third book and the third one I've read. Her previous books have seen her travelling by bike (the bicycle kind) through Africa and Central Asia/the 'stans. This one is different because she's focussed on one country, Iceland (though she travels through others to get there) and does her journey using a small Japanese Serow motorbike instead of a push bike. She writes about the people she met, the breakdowns and the help she got from Icelandic bike enthusiasts, Icelandic history and myths, as well as her actual journey around the country. The book has a different feel to it than her others - it's not such a hardcore adventure for starters - but I still enjoyed it. This is a good book for anyone considering travelling round Iceland and wanting to know a bit more. Or just anyone who likes good travel writing.

[Chris Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the delight of meeting Helen and talking for what I believe was a good couple of hours about bikes, trips and just about anything in between. I stumbled across Helen’s books and was intrigued to learn more. I’m not much of reader and my rather short span of attention doesn’t help. It was really well written and had me hooked. I was in the first quarter of the book when I went to the Overland Event and show Helen’s talk about her trip to Iceland got me wanting to read further. Certainly glad I read it. A must read.

[John Kiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally addictive

I bought this book because, like Helen Lloyd, I ride a Yamaha Serow. Like her I enjoy travelling on motorcycles and now I am going to have to visit Iceland. The Hooghly descriptive writing style enables you to picture yourself I the locations, and leaves you yearning to share the experiences.

[N E C Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel the need for an adventure

Helen paints pictures with words. Not just the landscape but her passing through it or accepting her fate turning around and retracing her steps. The addition of Icelandic folklore adds another dimension. A great read.

[Fredrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me just want to get a trail bike, pack my panniers and drive down to Denmark to catch that ferry. Having briefly “dipped my toes”, Helen makes me want to immerse myself fully in Iceland. And then move on to new adventures on new places.
Ride. Rinse. Repeat.