Crossing fords (rivercrossings) in iceland or anywhere else

[2712]

Hey,

In august i will be traveling to iceland alone.
However im planning to meet some people on the ferry to ride allong with im wondering, how do you cross a ford?

I see you tube vids where people just ride true them but is there a step by step walktrue?

Do you walk true the water first? do you undress your pants and boots to keep them dry? how do you keep your stuff dry?

Any advice?

[DualSport855]

I would recommend starting small and working up. I found some neoprene boot seals at a camping store that I wrap around the top of my Ft Lewis combat boots. This works very well to keep me dry on occasional water crossings west of Calgary. Full on river crossings in Iceland, well that's why I will be sticking to the ring road next month. I won't do river crossings when riding solo. Cheers

[Flyingdoctor]

When I looked at going 6 years ago (when the ferries were a bit better) I read that the trick is to get to the river crossings and camp until early morning when the level will have dropped because they can be unpassable at some times.Then everyone crosses as a group. I also read that some German riders were wearing chest waders to cross! Not a good idea if you fall in though.

I still haven't got there, the ferry return trip is getting ever more complicated and you have to get it from Hirtshals in Denmark now and not Lerwick.

Good luck with your trip, it's still on my list.

[BlackDogZulu]

I wouldn't risk a river crossing alone - say, anything more than axle deep. Far too easy to get into bad trouble. And I would rather get wet and cold than wear chest waders. Plenty of fisherman drown every year after tripping and falling into the water wearing waders. Once they fill with water, you're in big trouble.

Just my 0.02€ wirth.

[Hemuli]

I was in Iceland few years ago and also rode solo.
I always walked through the stream/river before trying to cross it. If you cannot walk it, do not try to ride it.
As was mentioned already, morning is the best time to cross them.

Do you know what you need to do for the bike if you drop it to the stream?
Do you have needed tools to make it run after dropping?

I used sealskins and they kept my feet dry.

[OnkelKarle]

Hi 2712,
an addition to what the others suggested I have 3 more comments, I learned them the hard way in Iceland

#1
Usually the river crossings are at a shallow stretch of the river (a ford). They almost look like a little like a dammed lake. You want to ride where the imagined dam is, thats the shallowest part.

#2 If you fall, switch off the engine (kill switch) immediately, before the engine sucks in the water. Thats very bad

#3 Icelands interior is absolutely stunning. Well worth the river crossings
If you are not convinced here is some inspiration:
Iceland - Unleash Your Adventure

Cheers Patrick

[2712]

Originally Posted by Hemuli

I was in Iceland few years ago and also rode solo.
I always walked through the stream/river before trying to cross it. If you cannot walk it, do not try to ride it.
As was mentioned already, morning is the best time to cross them.

Do you know what you need to do for the bike if you drop it to the stream?
Do you have needed tools to make it run after dropping?

I used sealskins and they kept my feet dry.

When the engine sucks up water, what i need to do is remove the sparkplugs on both sides, and start the engine so the compression forces all the water out of the cylinders. Then i reinstall the plugs and try starting it again?

Im not sure if i can remove the sparkplugs with the tools i have, probably i just remove the cap of the sparkplug (i see you have one on top of the boxer cylinder (r1200gsa) and one on the bothem) and probably il just can screw it out with the right wrench?

I have to try this before i leave