During 1995 to 1998 I was involved in the 1997 Coppermine River Expedition, a project which has been a substantial part of the movement toward the inclusion of disabled people into mainstream adventure sport and scientific expeditions. In the July of 1999 I embarked on a journey that traversed the island of Iceland on a hand-powered trike. My intention was to complete a chosen route that would cover some 350 miles over a period of 8-10 days travelling through some of the harshest and remote terrain that Iceland has to offer, continuing my personal exploration of disability issues in the expedition environment. Travelling solo and unsupported, carrying all of my food and camping gear I found myself having to make some decisions that would effect not only myself but ultimately my aims and objectives. In addition to my personal explorations I aimed to raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Aims

- To travel the length of the island of Iceland solo and unsupported.
- To raise awareness and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities into outdoor sports activities and expeditions, developing the work of the Coppermine River Expedition.
- To raise money and awareness for a charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.


Objectives

- Gain sufficient financial support to undertake the journey.
- Assess and research the use of a hand trike in the Icelandic environment.
- Source an appropriate trike that would withstand the rigours of the Icelandic environment.
- To adapt to the environment and the demanding physical hardships.
- Gain a higher level of fitness during the training and preparation to ensure the success of the project.
- To cycle from Reykjavik to Raufarhofn, through the interior of Iceland using a hand-powered trike.
- Promote the ethos of equality and the recognition that disability need not be a barrier to the inclusion of disabled people into all areas of society, to my local community, nationally and internationally.
- Seek sponsorship for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf people prior to departure.
- Promoting within my local community the needs of the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and those it seeks to support.

Conclusion

The journey started as a solo and unsupported trip across Iceland however for reasons that will become clear there were times when I needed to use public transport to negotiate impassable terrain and weather if you consider this support then it was in your eyes, a supported journey.
Trying to get funding in the form of sponsorship was not an easy task and I can only assume that my failure to attract potential sponsors to the project was possibly down to the way in which I promoted the task initially. On reflection, I did not sell the project sufficiently, many cycle manufacturers at various cycle exhibitions did not take it seriously. Along with other potential sponsors they simply thought that it would not happen, one other aspect that I felt had a bearing on their decision was that I was not competing in a race or competition. On the positive side individuals and smaller outlets did see the worth of the venture and I was able to get discount on many pieces of equipment which of course helped enormously.

My research and assessment during the planning and preparation was very thorough, I used every means at my disposal to the full, gaining information from communications and campsites, to the weather and terrain. I found the Internet a good source and used other experienced Icelandic travellers as focal points for my research. John Birdsall and his account of his journey was instrumental in the initial stages, however when it comes to Iceland, predicting the weather and terrain accurately is not an easy thing to do, if at all possible.

The trike that I chose to complete the journey was excellent, I had no problems with it mechanically and found that some of the good advice about tyres and chains etc that I had been given from bike shops, manufacturers and other adventures paid off.

Adapting to the environment was a mixed bag. The weather was, to start with appalling, but I had the right gear and was prepared for the worst, so on it's own it was not a problem. The terrain on the other hand was a different matter, the phrase one mans hill is another mans mountain sprang to mind more than once and the tracks can change from hard baked, dusty and rideable to impassable lumpy quagmires overnight. This is something that cannot be predicted and requires a high degree of flexibility for route change in the planning stages I feel.

Although I use the gym and my trike on a regular basis, I embarked on a regular and strenuous fitness programme nine months prior to my departure. This included swimming, circuit training and free-weights work on the upper body, I considered myself to be at a physical peak on my arrival in Iceland.

I succeeded in travelling and exploring more of the island on the route that I ultimately took although I did not complete my proposed route and mileage as a result of the weather and terrain. I gained a greater knowledge and understanding of Iceland, it's people and culture and developed a wider profile and group of contacts by travelling what I now call the southern route, which in turn helped me to succeed in my other aims.

The promotion of equality for people with disabilities was achieved on three levels. One, with the help of Pall Gudjonsson and the Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (IFHK) the people of Iceland were informed about myself, my disability, the Hearing Dogs For Deaf People and the journey and kept up to date with my progress via the main Icelandic newspaper "Morgunbladid". Two, back home in UK, press and promotion was fairly sparse until my return the disability press and one of the "Sundays" have published pieces on the trip helping to highlight the issues concerned nationally. And three, locally I have been supported by the press and public enthusiastically from the start all supporting the equality issue and the charity.

I have been reminded once more, of the fact that awareness is a great asset and have experienced once again the benefits of community-based education and awareness raising. As far as the raising of money goes it has been a total success to date £2000 has been collected from sponsors local, national and international.