200km Across Iceland's Lava Fields | Rift Gravel Race

Lauf invited us out to try Iceland's hardest gravel race, the Rift. A 200 kilometer epic ride across lava fields and between active volcanoes. The only thing is, Ollie has never tried gravel before and is allergic to river crossings....
In association with Lauf.
Subscribe to GCN Race Pass now, 100% Racing, By Fans, For Fans.
gcn.eu/Racepass
Subscribe to GCN: gcn.eu/Subscrib...
Learn more about our next GCN Events: gcn.eu/1YQ
Register your interest in the GCN Club: gcn.eu/1YP
How much would you like to ride in Iceland?
Check out Ollie's full route on Komoot: gcn.eu/RiftRoute
Submit your content with our new uploader: gcn.eu/upload
Join our Facebook community: gcn.eu/FBCommunity
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - gcn.eu/1YO
Watch more on GCN...
📹 Lauf Factory Tour | gcn.eu/LaufGravel
Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Cayman (Instrumental Version) - HDBeenDope
Future Vibes - Qeeo
Golden Rules - Luwaks
Hurts (Instrumental Version) - Snake City (1)
Oak Tree Slumber - Flat Theory
Pink Mirrors - Ooyy
PREL Glitch Electri 2 - SFX Producer
PREL Glitch Fast 2 - SFX Producer
PREL Hit Glitch Ele - SFX Producer
Sad Expression - Myysk
Sad Expression STEMS BASS - Myysk
Sad Expression STEMS DRUMS - Myysk
Sad Expression STEMS INSTRUMENTS - Myysk
Seona - Ooyy
Travellers - Ran the Man
Truth Interlapse - Robert Ruth
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphot...
About GCN:
The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on KZbin’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Assos of Switzerland: gcn.eu/Assos
Pinarello Bikes gcn.eu/Pinarello
fi’zi:k Shoes & Saddles: gcn.eu/fizikshoes and gcn.eu/fiziksad...
Wiggle: gcn.eu/wiggle
Enervit Nutrition: gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Bell Helmets: gcn.eu/bell
Roka Sunglasses: gcn.eu/roka
Quarq: gcn.eu/Quarq
Orbea Bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: gcn.eu/Vision
Zipp Wheels: gcn.eu/Zipp
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fi...
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Continental Tyres: gcn.eu/continen...
Camelbak: gcn.eu/camelbak-
Komoot Route Planning: gcn.eu/-komoot
GCN Japan: gcn.eu/subscri...
GCN Italia: gcn.eu/GCN-Italia
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club - gcn.eu/club
KZbin Channel - gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram - gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Google+ - gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subsc...
GCN Tech - gcntech.co/subs...
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!

[@DrewsOnFirst]

GCN sending presenters to enter unusual events like this is my absolute favorite part of GCN.

[@gcn]

thanks Danger, we love it!

[@davidallan4929]

Agreed.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Agree.

[@lyanbv]

@@gcn one thing better is to bring a lucky viewer along!

[@mrsmd4616]

Can you send 1 gcn and 1 gmbn presenter to do the silk road mountain race please. 👍 much appreciated. 2 part Hour long special lol or do the trans am with the whole gcn team. C'mon I should be your producer lol

[@tinwhiskerSC]

I am always a little hesitant when GCN brings on new presenters but Ollie has really grown on me and I look forward to everything he's a part of.

[@gcn]

Thanks buddy!

[@gardars9811]

The “white stuff” lava is vikur or pumice. Commonly used by elves to make light and strong bicycles that float while traveling over rivers.

[@AlessandroCardano]

Like Elfis?

[@lenahygiena]

When are we going to see an elvish national team xD

[@jbruner182]

@@lenahygiena awesome comment haha!!:)

[@DieSchnitzel007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrInHlor5utpMU

[@KandiKlover]

I use the pumice to keep my buttcrack clean after a long ride.

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

I love that line: One does not simply walk into Mordor, one rides a bike

[@lenahygiena]

…apparently

[@milanb.6022]

One does not simply bike into Mordor... there is a bit of pushing involved

[@janb4406]

Agree! Let's just put in a time tag shell we... 8:56

[@KandiKlover]

Milan B. Gotta get a mountain bike.

[@jbratt]

One of these days we need a behind the scenes featuring the film crew😀👍

[@brauljo]

And a GCN HQ tour

[@evanr1940]

and make the presenters carry/transport film crew equipment (up hill, in the snow etc)

[@greatvedas]

Me too, really keen on how they shot the entire ride and the logistics around.

[@zyghom]

Venkat Gurram drones ;-)

[@logantyson9518]

Because he didn’t say and I know plenty of you are curious about it.Oliver took 43rd out of almost 200 hundred and had a time of 9:02:30 and the winner Colin Strickland had a time of 6:38:47.

[@seahog32]

Unfortunately, at least some of it was drafting behind a motor vehicle which makes me wonder how self-supported was his ride too. And this is why everybody, including myself, hates me.

[@stephenturkLA]

@@seahog32 I'm sure the Lauf Jeep at 9:05 wasn't there to provide any kind of support😉

[@futsalkeegan]

@@seahog32 He was talking for maybe 10 minutes that video. There's no way he was behind the jeep the whole time because he wouldn't have wanted to be. If it were me in that position I would want to enjoy the race and the scenery, which it sounds like Ollie certainly did.

[@mfennell70]

@@seahog32 That's an admirable amount of self-awareness. :)

[@TheJoePavlik]

@@seahog32 this video is an ad for the race and the bike. I don't think he had any intention of winning or anything of the sort.

[@TobiB89]

White trainers. The expert choice of foot wear for the Icelandic country side.

[@glansberry]

Iceland has been on my bucket list for many years now, but all of a sudden I want to bring along my bike and ride into Mordor! Amazing work GCN! Ollie's infectious personality (and that laugh) make the video even more enjoying to watch while I drink my morning coffee.

[@bosanderspublictheology]

Ollie videos are the best GNC videos. Thank you for this.

[@isaiahpineda3632]

"This is my first gravel race" *lines up next to colin strickland*

[@OllieBridgewood]

Isaiah Pineda I know right! Hahahaha

[@tgoods5049]

I was wondering if that was him on the Allied bike! 👍🏻

[@simonguard5087]

Any video which contains a threaded English bottom bracket is just perfect, it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a bottom bracket - The standard!

[@baldurk.1667]

Just started gravel biking. This one right presented an absolut dream of a gravel race. Rough, cold, wet, epic landscape. Thank you - will book in 2021! Thank you Ollie and GCN.

[@gcn]

Enjoy it Baldur

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

You're really selling this Ollie😅.. It's the bleak landscape with stop start wet pot hole river crossing that sold it to me. 😏😉

[@TheMurmuringGolem]

Dr Oliver Bridgewood: THE KING IN THE NORTH!

[@ugastronomie1237]

I KNOW NO KING BUT THE KING IN THE NORTH 🗡️

[@williamschultz8198]

Dentist

[@razcohen5590]

The place looks stunning. Literally Mordor! 😂😂 you made my day with that comment!

[@murphyebass7837]

You’re so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience that. Really appreciate the video. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you 🙏

[@DeanJohnson67]

I really love how much more coverage GCN is giving to Gravel events especially when the GCN hosts ride in the events for a first person look! And the coverage itself is top notch !!

[@NullUnit2]

Well done Ollie. The government of Iceland should have subsidized this in some way, pay for your beer at least? This has definitely convinced me to go 👍

[@gcn]

Haha, it truly is a spectacular place, there's no hiding that!

[@johnpotter4555]

Ollie is a very relatable presenter for the everyday cyclist, except for the PhD and the great hair.

[@robcollinson9508]

John Potter don’t be fooled, he’s a very strong rider

[@johnpotter4555]

@@robcollinson9508 I agree.

[@solidairs]

John Potter Phillips, Hymass, Diamond?

[@zerocooljpn]

he has a PhD?

[@johnpotter4555]

@@zerocooljpn yes in Chemistry I believe

[@dennisuerling899]

First, Great job Ollie for competing and completing the ride! To be honest, just bringing the 40mm tires was great after the recent JP video on choosing tires for a gravel ride! To actually go full meta with a clip of a JP video inside this video was incredible! Serious props to whomever came up with that and to whomever organized the videos in this order! As for a bike with a bottle opener, it isn't "Do I want one?" It is, "I do want one." Perhaps there is a bodge is in my near future. :)

[@SpeshaIK]

Sick Ollie and GCN team! I was watching Si's Icelandic adventures for the umpteenth time yesterday trying to decide if I should ditch my road bike for a True Grit...eerie. About to head out on my own gravel excursion on my Lauf equipped, drop - bar mountain bike. Keep up the great work!

[@wobyone]

Thanks Ollie and gcn. I am so blown away by your video of the race and Iceland, I've put it on my bucket list... I didnt have a bucket list till now... and I'm following ollie on strava... never followed a "great personality mate" before either.. I so want to go to Iceland... my mums been there.. and I really need to put a bottle opener on my bike. Thanks.

[@GCNuser123]

glad you enjoyed it pal!

[@official_Grant]

Love Ollie's reports. Just a thoroughly decent guy, hugely enthusiastic and on top of his game with regards to video journalism.

[@CanyonWanderer]

Lol, that bottle opener is definitely a unique selling point! wonderful race and scenery! Awesome bike as well!

[@elisgomer7164]

Another stunning, stunning video. Iceland is a jaw-dropping backdrop - I loved it when I went there a couple of years ago - but it's the camera work and Ollie's infectious sense of wonder about it all that makes this video. You're on a roll at the moment.

[@nigelstanley3674]

Awesome. Well Done. Not sure it can say it looked fun but sure it was memory filled.

[@bigdazz8636]

See.....now look at what you've done! Now I really want to take my gravel bike to Iceland!! Cracking video 🤩🚴🤩🚴

[@stevesnailfish]

Me too dude.....Seems legit to me.

[@Pletharoe]

Generally Ollie, in a bike race having the place to yourself and not seeing ANYBODY is not really a good thing! ;) love it!

[@kathyerickson9402]

Iceland is spectacular...by bike, car, bus or other. Thanks for getting out of your comfort zone and taking us along for the ride (while you do all the hard work)!

[@spaynneuter]

Oliver, this video was so entertaining. I loved it! I’m an old lady and I don’t ride bikes but I love GCN videos, especially this one.

[@Lucash090688]

Advertising at its best, good work GCN. Ollie....you’re awesome.

[@petinka721]

It seem as GCN:s crew like see Ollie suffer! I confess I always have enjoy see Ollie suffer in "Mordor" and feel my so relaxed with my wiskey with ice :). Great video! And for Ollie Dirty Kansas next?

[@gcn]

No... what makes you think that?!

[@rahulkota1]

That was absolute buzzing of an effort!!! Ollie you did brilliant on that course...what a scenery...you gotta come to India and do the event in Himalayas...you would love it!!!

[@timwilliams3919]

Awesome job Ollie...having fun and laughing all the way! Even the film crew or Lauf people got a laugh in on one scene.

[@guysmith3326]

Great advertising for Doncaster: just like Iceland without the volcanos. Must have changed a bit since I was a boy.

[@scottreckless3151]

2:02 could be the best production moment of the year. Well done. Will be Keen eyed for Easter eggs going forward

[@OllieBridgewood]

scott reckless Edgar Wright inspired transition sequence 🤓😉

[@billinhouston3291]

What was it?

[@neuby56]

SI's Iceland vid & this vid are two of my favorites. Totally envious of these trips

[@nickisauer9626]

Things I like about this video. The filming. the editing. the bike. the host etc. thumbs up GCN :-)

[@gcn]

Cheers Nicki!

[@jeffreyjohnson9124]

The Bold Ollie is starting to grow on me. In a good way, not like a wort. Good job son!

[@avoycendeether8869]

85% gravel. 15% paved. 20% motorpaced. ;-) That was awesome. Is there any other gravel ride in the world like Iceland? I don't think so...Also, way to keep up a positive attitude at the water crossings. Promoters and photogs love water crossings. Riders, no so much. I"ve never heard a rider say they hoped for more water crossings this year.

[@earlvasquez8352]

Sigur Ros! my favorite music to listen to while riding long distance in my bike

[@GordonHadler]

So much fun watching this! The line "One does not simply walk into Mordor, one rides a bike!" has become my mantra for bad weather, steep gravel uphills etc.

[@Pratalax]

Ollie? Iceland? Lauf? Race? I'm in like Innsbruck! Hell to the yes.

[@dennish9519]

That is one cool looking ride, I loved the stream and river crossing. For future loooong gravel rides be sure to put a little bottle, say an empty eye dropper bottle, filled with chain lube in your seat pack. Towards the end of the video the squeaking was getting bad!

[@K777John]

Got to love Iceland, went there in 2004, arrived at the airport, picked up hire Suzuki Jimney, threw tent and sleeping bags in the back, and disappeared into the Southlands for a week-brilliant place.

[@shydncrumph8119]

bottle opener ftw. what a classy feature!

[@jrae5085]

Baller! Nice ride Ollie. Not only do I want to go to Iceland now (well, that's been a wish for a while) but I want one of those Lauf bikes as well. Should be a package deal on IcelandAir where on arrival they greet you at the plane with a Lauf.

[@C.Medina]

Said it in cycling weekly and say it here. ..Ollie, you are great human. 👍

[@orcus09]

Talking about gravel racing and muddy river crossing while wearing all white shoes. Give this badass man some respect!

[@jsim9042]

Great video, Oli is so engaging. Brilliant advert for the Lauf and Iceland (it is a special place) but by far the best bit Doncaster and Iceland are the same 😂

[@noelfezza]

INCREDIBLE PRODUCTION! THIS IS EXACTKY WHAT WE WANT. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. BRAVO OLLIE AS ALWAYS

[@johnpayne2465]

The scenery is just stunning, bike and rider also appreciated. Cheers all.

[@trygkouhlmann6643]

Well done Dr Bridgewood well done !

[@davidgeorge9233]

Been lucky enough to visit this wonderful country in 2017 and 2018, plan to go back next time with a bike! Off road would be the way to see the highlands, during the summer when the sun never really sets. If you haven’t been and are considering it, do it!

[@jaimeisreal]

Ride on Ollie. Great video. At 16:22, cheers mate. And well deserved! 🍻

[@scottnu5605]

Ollie - it was fun riding with you in Oman. I thought that was a brutal ride but this one made the Haute Route look easy! You are one bad ass cyclist. Maybe you need more beer drinking practice...

[@OllieBridgewood]

scottNU thanks mate! Was fun riding with you too! And Oman was hard!

[@Chairboys]

Awesome video and production. Could this be a GCN regular feature (similar to Top Gear) where the GCN team tackle an insane/interesting/obscure cycle events around the globe? Keep up the good work. Cracking sound track too

[@bikemike1118]

Hopefully they won’t get as clownish as Top Gear !!

[@Michele-Baldini]

Mythical Ollie, great! After this video I think I'll remove my front derailleur ... you gave me a great reason for the next picnic :-)))

[@jaromirborowski4595]

Shimano's SPDs also works great as bottle opener ;-)

[@gcn]

HACK

[@MrHockaluger]

Had to watch this 3x to make my 1hr recovery ride on the trainer this morning pass by quickly. Great vid, Ollie. That Mordor comment made me chuckle and almost choke as I was sipping on water. 👍

[@kivriel2660]

Great film again! More like this please.

[@joetaylor486]

Legendary effort, Chieftain! That bike is seriously tidy, but the gear and crank position needs sorting, as do the valve angles. That bottle opener is ringing the cowbell for me though!

[@roye2479]

Ollie, youre my fave GCN presenter! you ROCK! EXCEPT I'll need to give you some beer sipping lesson

[@dtswiss]

... what an epic race & scenery!

[@TheCrookedWheel]

The Discovery Channel acquisition is definitely showing off here.. excellent filmwork.

[@Hangingofgiants]

Sigur Ros is one of the most beautiful bands I've ever seen. Now i see why. Great video.

[@Nick-Wehmeier]

Kirk Hodgson If you like Sigur Ros and epic Icelandic landscapes the definitely checkout their documentary film Heima. Awesome! (Almost as good as a GCN video ;)

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

I totally agree.

[@Pratalax]

nearly shoots beer straight through his nose, still nails the endboard like a god damned professional. お疲れ様!!

[@gcn]

What a hero.

[@trenabstedt156]

Oliver is a surprisingly good television host and I for one am pleased he is wasting his talents on cycling material. Also I even understood the obvious British humor which I don't always since I'm a yankee. And that landscape!

[@jayshockey5461]

This was awesome! Great job Ollie! You beast🤪👊🏻💪🏻👍🏻👏🏻

[@stephencowman3142]

YORKSHIRE, YORKSHIRE, YORKSHIRE, YORKSHIRE!!!! Well done lad

[@jazzechos1372]

I for one envy you Olie, thanks for bringing us along.

[@TheEquineImage]

This is a great video of a great race (yeah, I'm biased) and I really appreciate Ollie's heartfelt reaction to Iceland's nature.

[@antonioCsilveira]

I have a Lauf TrueGrit and I absolutely love it. Dream bike

[@kathleenpovey333]

I needed a beer after just watching this video. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@monty2078]

Hey Ollie, you are a great presenter. Love to see a pro walking the hills😀

[@LaughingSaint66]

I mean it would’ve been great to see Jeremy Powers crush this ride but it was so much more fun to watch Ollie not crush it😂😂🤙🏼🤷🏼‍♂️

[@OllieBridgewood]

LaughingSaint hahahaha

[@fogerrands2848]

There something about that powers guy which is extremely dodgy.

[@mnbv5555cxz]

@@fogerrands2848 Hahaha you brits have been saying that about americans for 300 years!

[@KandiKlover]

Fog Errands it’s his big dong showing in the Lycra. Rivaling that of even Si.

[@griff9290]

Congratulations Ollie-way to step out of your comfort zone!

[@gesmondfarrugia1109]

suuuper realy enjoyed watching you

[@TheCatwhisper]

'One does not simply walk into Mordor, one rides a bike'...….brilliant

[@danmathis4046]

The 'Epic Rides' just keep getting Epic-er! Excellent video. We now know Ollie's "What am I doing?!" face. Thanks Ollie, GCN for another amazing Epic!!!

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Yes! Great vid, great job Ollie! Give yourself to the Dirtside!

[@barkermjb]

This was a great video. The camera work was very good. The audio work was good as well with an excellent choice of background music that captured the essence of the ride and the surrounding scenery very well. The dialog was top notch; a mix of humor and information that kept me into the video throughout. This looks like it was a very fun, challenging ride. Thanks.

[@gcn]

Thanks buddy, means a lot!

[@eblackshaw]

Congrats Ollie ... looked brilliant.

[@zyghom]

What an incredible event and part of our planet! Great video as usual. Thx

[@rickiovine2170]

The logistics in filming this race had to be challenging - those side views as Ollie was going up those absurdly steep climbs - being in position to film him going through those deep puddles (can you imagine a director calling for another take). I enjoyed this video because of how it was presented. A GCN’er taking his conveyance over incredible terrain with his GCN’er camera crew. A ‘can’t miss’ screenplay!

[@Alvio64]

@9:11 Ollie doing his best impression of Matt by failing to clip in

[@thecheshirecat5564]

This is straight onto my TODO list for next year. Which also means a gravel bike is also on my TODO list... Also, guys: I just had to watch this twice (so far): with such a production quality I had to employ the best screen I had, a tablet just doesn't cut it.

[@d.rabbitwhite]

So after viewing: That was gorgeous; the landscape and the bike.

[@alastairs3727]

Brilliant vid Ollie! And that Quote from a LOTR was absolute hilarious :)))

[@sebastiangrimm5671]

Stunning scenery.... whoa... I'd like to go there, too.... great Video - thanks!

[@sitonka303]

Thanks GCN, another thing for the bucket list!

[@peterward4005]

Good to see a donny lad succeed keep up the good work ollie!

[@jen3800]

that Lauf bike looks great and seems to be smooth as silk. wish i had the funds!

[@kentwang0037]

what an incredible scenery，gotta visit Iceland someday.

[@gregkane8635]

Class ollie looks awesome fair play to you

[@Delboy001647363]

Don't even own a bike and have found myself addicted to these episodes! I'm now sniffing about hybrids but cos of coronavirus there is zero stock anywhere, so now seriously tempted to just buy the components and build my own.

[@Latchfpv]

God, I fucking love Ollie. Always enjoy seeing what challenge he tackles next.

[@alexobrien4466]

From start to finish, amazing.

[@myminx]

Super big thumbs up ! Nice one Ollie keep it up

[@douglaspate9314]

How awesomely, awesome is the awesomeness of these awesome GCN reports!