Bikeability in the Blue Mountains - Bláfjöll (3)

WORK & PROJECT:: SEEDS volunteers will be taking part in two days cycling tours with school pupils from 9th and 10th grade to Bláfjöll (the Blue Mountains range), located 35 km from Reykjavík.

We will visit the schools before the trips and assist the participants to assess and adjust their bicycles, check their helmets, adjust the gears and breaks and talk about cycling to the pupils. School teachers, members of the Icelandic mountain cycling club and SEEDS volunteers will lead the groups from the schools in Reykjavík to Bláfjöll.

The route chosen is far away from busy roads, so safety of participants and the pleasure of the trip are kept at its most. In Bláfjöll we and other leaders will prepare Kjötsúpa (Icelandic meat soup) for dinner and porridge for breakfast and the group will return to Reykjavík next day, after staying overnight in one of the ski huts in the area. A car and bicycle trailer will follow each trip with luggage, food and equipment. We will share responsibilities in driving and sitting in the car, riding bikes and preparing the food. Participants do not have to be experienced cyclists, the trip is a leisure activity in a nice environment.

Promoting sports activities and healthy lifestyles to school pupils is the main target of the project; to reduce their vulnerability to smoking and drinking. Apart from the healthy lifestyle promotion through outdoors activities, the pupils will be encouraged to work in teams and learn about it.

ACCOMMODATION: We will stay in a fully equipped house while in Reykjavík; sleeping in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. We will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. In Bláfjöll, we will stay in a fully equipped skiing hut in the skiing area of the range.

LOCATION: We will stay both in Reykjavík and in Bláfjöll mountain range. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called ?the nightlife capital of the north?, but there is more to it than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.

The Bláfjöll volcanic mountain range is located about 35 Km from Reykjavík and the river Elliðaá have its source there, streaming down to the lake Helliðavatn in the eastern suburban border of the city, on the way it passes through the nature reserve area of Heiðmörk. The highest mountain reaches 600m and since 1968 the region became a very popular skiing area among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital area, becoming the largest skiing area in Iceland.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach, promoting outdoors, sports activities and healthy lifestyles. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.

TERMINAL: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 130. Volunteers should have a motivation for working with people in matters related to cycling and outdoor activities. Being an experienced cyclist is not a requirement. We will be provided bicycles but those who want to bring their own can do so.

SEEDS will provide volunteers with passes to access free of charge the city?s seven geothermal swimming pools and thermal-water beach. Tours and excursions will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares.

AGE: 18+