Stéphane Urquizar’s adventure from his home in France to Iceland, supported by the TwoNav ecosystem of tools.
Written by Stéphane Urquizar
In spring, I leave the shores of Lake Geneva to embark on a solo journey across Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark). Heading towards northern Denmark, where I board the MS Norröna ferry bound for Iceland, for an unforgettable tour of the island. Three months of emotional highs and lows, challenges and breathtaking landscapes… An extraordinary adventure that has changed me forever!
From home to Iceland: an extraordinary cycling journey
What was meant to be a simple cycling tour of Iceland along the iconic Route 1 turned into something far greater. Why stick to a classic itinerary when this country is full of wild roads and challenges to take on? Then, almost without realising it, an idea began to take shape… How could I reach Iceland without flying? The answer was obvious: setting off from my own doorstep, powered solely by the strength of my legs.
The result? A 7,000 km challenge
Setting off towards northern Denmark, before boarding a ferry to this land of fire and ice. After all, life is too short not to seize an opportunity like this. While this journey promises to be a true adventure, route planning remains a key stage.
Preparing the route
Although paper maps remain an essential tool for gaining an overall view, most of the preparation is done using TwoNav’s Land software, which offers unparalleled flexibility. This is particularly important for the Icelandic section of the journey, where unpredictable weather conditions and the constraint of the return ferry require careful planning. I need to be able to anticipate every possible scenario. Land allows me to plot my main route while also integrating alternative routes and shortcuts to make up for potential delays caused by the weather.
Local maps: the key to the success of my adventure
Another major strength of TwoNav lies in the richness of its map catalogue, both paid and free, including the integration of Google Maps and aerial imagery. This helps me better understand the types of roads I’ll be riding on and adapt my route accordingly. To plan my adventure, I used the topographic maps of France, Switzerland, Germany and Iceland. These are offline maps that I was able to use on my device even without an Internet connection. Having the local maps always available was essential for my journey, especially as these were places that were new and unfamiliar to me.
All my routes stored safely in one place
Finally, thanks to TwoNav Cloud, all my preparation is saved and accessible at any time, whether on my TwoNav GPS (I used the Terra model), on my smartphone with the TwoNav app, or on my MacBook using Land. A true source of peace of mind before and throughout the journey.
Looking back on this journey from France to Iceland, I realise just how crucial preparation and the right tools were. Being able to rely on accurate maps, safe routes and permanent access to my data gave me total freedom on the road. A demanding adventure, made possible by solid and reliable organisation. Thank you, TwoNav!
Stéphane Urquizar
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