; it was a trial of my will…
Motocross in Iceland is not easy. We rode six hours a day across unforgiving terrain. It rained three out of four days. The cold, an average of maybe 5 °C, was paired with winds so violent we sometimes feared being blown off our motorcycles. I had never experienced such force; the rain lashed into our helmets, scraping our faces. My hands stayed cold. My vision blurred. I rode under a constant fear of slipping. I actually fell three times in curves, though thankfully without injury.
At night, we stayed in mountain refuges. Fifteen men crammed into one room, stretched out on sleeping bags and thin mattresses, the chorus of snores shattering our rest every night. On the second day, one rider suffered a terrible accident. He had to be airlifted by helicopter and was later diagnosed with multiple fractures and a life-threatening injury that required surgery. That moment reminded us just how dangerous this sport can be in such a hostile environment. This moment brought us together in some ways.
The physical and mental toll was certainly heavy for me. Normally, small comforts help me recharge after a hard day outside. Apart from the excellent food and the camaraderie, comfort was hard to find. Everything during the days was raw and unforgiving. My body ached in unexpected ways.
This adventure revealed how unaccustomed I had become to hardship after a life of comfort.
And yet, amid these trials, we witnessed landscapes of indescribable beauty. We forged bonds with extraordinary human beings. We shared something real: a true adventure that stripped away modern comfort and reconnected us with something elemental.
Looking back, I love the person I became in those moments. I embraced discomfort—and I grinned. I chose gratitude over frustration. I focused on caring for my fellow riders. I found new strength.
The most inspiring part of this adventure was our guides. They rose before us, rested after us, worked for us, and carried a smile throughout—because this is their life, and they love it. They don’t just endure this barren, cold land; they thrive in it. Through them, I discovered the true resilience of the Icelandic spirit, and my admiration for them knows no bounds.
Discomfort stretches time and gives new value to the ordinary.
Trials give us the chance to grow, not only as riders but as human beings.
Thank you all for a most memorable adventure.
Martin Pham Dinh 