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🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Texan finds his niche in Iceland's Westfjords with cycling business

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Tyler Wacker, a Texan native, has established The Fjord Hub, a successful cycling and outdoor gear shop, workshop, and tour operator in Ísafjörður, Iceland.
  • Wacker transitioned from a career in civil engineering and urban design in Texas and California to pursue a master's degree in Iceland, eventually purchasing and expanding the small bike shop.
  • The Fjord Hub now serves tourists, offering bike rentals, package tours across Iceland and the Westfjords, and recently opened a second location in Keflavík to assist international travelers with their bikes and equipment.

Tyler Wacker traded the fast-paced, high-stress environment of San Francisco for the slower, more relaxed pace of life in Ísafjörður, Iceland. Originally from Texas, Wacker, who holds a degree in civil engineering and urban design, came to Iceland for a master's degree in coastal zone management and maritime studies.

I moved here to Ísafjörður to pursue a master's degree in coastal zone management and maritime studies, but I have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. I have a background in urban and regional planning and worked a lot with cycling infrastructure in Texas, then moved to California and continued to work in similar fields.

— Tyler WackerTyler Wacker explains his educational background and previous work experience before moving to Iceland.

He arrived in August 2020, during the pandemic, and found a small bike shop with an owner short on time. Wacker quickly took over the keys, initially focusing on repairs. After completing his thesis on Iceland, he purchased the shop and began building his business, The Fjord Hub. The shop now offers outdoor gear, repairs, and organizes cycling tours.

I moved here in August 2020, six years ago, in the middle of the pandemic. The studies were for two years, and things developed such that I stayed here even though it wasn't planned beforehand. Shortly after I moved here, I found a small bike shop, and the owner didn't have much time to take care of it anymore, so I got the keys almost immediately. He only had a few tools, and everything was on a small scale.

— Tyler WackerTyler Wacker describes how he acquired the bike shop shortly after arriving in Ísafjörður.

Wacker's business caters to a growing tourism market, including cruise ship passengers who rent bikes. He also specializes in organizing comprehensive cycling tours across Iceland and the Westfjords, which typically take two weeks. The name

I needed a little time to adjust, but very quickly I started to feel at home here. In San Francisco, work was very fast-paced and stressful, but here life is slow-paced and there isn't as much pressure on you.

— Tyler WackerTyler Wacker compares the pace of life in Ísafjörður to San Francisco.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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