Cycling Corsica - "Isle of Beauty"

Corsica, located in the Mediteranean Sea just South of the French/Italian Riviera, is a most spectacular cycling destination. The island looks more like a little continent than an island. It has 1000K of coast and more than 70 peaks rising over 2000 m high. The ride circles the top half of the island, covering approximately 360 miles with 21,700 feet of total climbing.

Day 1 - Bastia

Fly in to Bastia. We'll meet up at the hotel, get the bikes together and then have a nice dinner at the three star Hotel Chez Walter. We store our bike boxes for the week at the Chez Walter. The Chez Walter is convenient to the airport and has a nice pool.

Day 2 - Bastia to St. Florent

Today we ride all the way around the dramatic Cap Corse. You have the option of cutting across the cap at St Severa going thru Luri or continuing on north all the way around the cap thru the fishing villages of Macinaggio and Centuri. We end the day in St Florent, usually watching a nice sunset.  117k

Day 3 - St. Florent to Calvi

On Monday we traverse the Agriates Desert and then cut inland thru Belgodere, Occhiatana, Muro, Cateri, Montenaggiore and Calenzana. We then descend back to Calvi on the coast with its very dramatic citadel perched at the harbor entrance.  105k

Day 4 - Calvi to Porto

We make our way to Porto. This is in the heart of one of the most spectacular areas on the island. Porto is picture perfect with a nice beach and a very dramatic Genoese tower in the bay.  81k

Day 5 - Porto to Ajaccio

We head to Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon. It has a bustling harbor with great harborside and street cafes. Also a great place to get a crepe from the street vendors.  82k

Day 6 - Ajaccio to Evisa

We move back north up the coast and then turn inland after lunch at LeKalliste on the beach in Sagone. From there, it is 20K climb before descending to the mountain village of Evisa. This is by far the biggest climbing day of the tour with steep sections right after Vico and then again at the top.  69k

Day 7 - Evisa to Bastia

This is spectacular ride through the Golo Gorge back to Bastia. There is 10k climb to the Col DeVerghio, but after that it is primarily all downhill. After passing the reservoir, you head through the spectacular Golo gorge. We stop for one last great lunch at the Santa Fe in Ponte Lechia before heading up the coast and back to Bastia.  92k 

Included:
 7 nites accommodations at hotels and inns
 Breakfast and dinners (except Ajaccio and last night in Bastia)
 Stocked support vehicle and driver

Excluded:
 Lunches (can be had in local cafes for 6-10 euros)
 Beer, wine booze
 Entrance fees to museums, attractions
 Airport Transfers