Hannes Klausner is the mountain biker who puts freedom into freeride. Buzzing on the road less travelled, he pointed his 4×4 camper North out of Austria and headed for Iceland. Along for the ride to immortalize the bangers on film (well, digital) was friend and photographer Christoph Breiner. 

I wanted it to be the ultimate exploring adventure without a guide or local riders to ask.

Check out the goodies they brought back from their trip and enjoy the inside story of riding Iceland, direct from Hannes.  

Why did you choose Iceland for a mountain bike trip, and is Iceland the ultimate freeride destination? 

I’ve wanted to visit Iceland for a very long time, as all those stunning images from other people got me hooked. But I also wanted to see and explore it on my terms and make my own experiences. Iceland gave me so many options for everything I wanted to create as it is so diverse and so different from everywhere else.

I didn’t think about it as a bike trip destination but more of an adventure that I wanted to bring my bike to and see what was possible. My bike has taken me to many places, and freeriding opens up loads of possibilities, including witnessing places like Iceland.

It certainly wasn’t my ultimate freeride destination, but it was different from what I was expecting or looking for. It became about the search for extraordinary and rideable places in stunning landscapes that only Iceland can deliver. I am so thankful for the freedom my bike delivers that goes beyond the ordinary. 

How did you and Christoph Breiner hook up, and how does the rider-photographer relationship work, recording a trip like this? 

I met Christoph many years ago on a little bike trip while shooting with friends. He wasn’t a professional photographer back then, but time and passion have made him one of my favourite photographers to work with. He’s not only a friend and photographer but also very creative, comes up with great ideas, and is passionate about getting them dialled.

He’s also no stranger to adventures like this one, which is why he was my number one choice for the trip. I had to try hard to get him as he was swamped, but I didn’t want to work with someone else. We know each other well, making every trip unique and outstanding when it comes to creating content. We are also working on an arty analogue photo project, which I can’t wait to share.

What was your route around the island, and did you hook up with local riders to guide you to spots? 

I wanted it to be the ultimate exploring adventure without a guide, local riders to ask, and no specific plan to follow. We took it day by day, drove around the whole island, and hiked into unique, unknown places. There were so many random shooting locations, riding spots, and such a variety of landscapes that there was no need for a guide to show us well-known places. It was just a personal exploration of one of the most epic places on this planet, which I wanted to see, explore, and experience my way.

How are those Icelandic 4x4s?

I’ve never seen anything like them before. Those Iceland 4×4 vehicles are something else. They’re massive, and they can go anywhere on the island.

Ours wasn’t that massive when it came to off-road driving, but it was good enough for most of the places we wanted to go, and it was the best place to live on a road trip like that. 

I drove from Austria to Denmark by myself, took the ferry to the Faroe Islands, and then on to Iceland. A couple of days later, I met Christoph, who came by plane. The 4×4 was home for the whole trip, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Was there a spot that stands out above the rest?  

Not for me. It was that whole destination Iceland thing, with various colours, different landscapes, fascinating nature, and fast-changing weather conditions – pouring rain has never been so beautiful. All of it makes up that extraordinary Iceland experience, with no single spot that stands out. 

How much planning does a month-long trip like this take, and is it something that anyone could do? 

It was not much for the way I wanted to do this trip. It involved booking ferries and organizing the budget. Knowing I had the van for a whole season, it was pretty much an unplanned adventure. The only way to experience real adventure is in the mind, or at least that is my personal way.

Where’s next on your trip calendar? And what TSG kit is a must-have when travelling and riding?

I am working on a couple of smaller projects now, but I plan to be on the road for another month in a van this autumn. I’m longing for some epic trail riding in Slovenia, Croatia, Tuscany, and Elba in the ‘golden season’, living the best life on the road, and being happy riding bikes on some amazing trails around South Europe.

My next big trip will be next season, but I’m not going to reveal the destination yet. If you’re interested, you’ve got to stay tuned and follow my channels.

TSG is part of all my daily bike rides and travels, big and small. From tough new freeride lines to chilled trail riding, TSG has gear for everything, and it is of the best possible quality and fit.

I bring a full-face lid, body protection, trail lid, and knee pads, as well as a decent range of clothing so I’m prepared for the unexpected. I’m stoked to work with a brand that focuses on the most important part of our game, which is safety. 

Hannes riding kit in Iceland