Bike Tour Daily Description:
Day 1 - October 09
Early morning we pick you up in Ajaccion at the ferry terminal or at your
hotel. We transport you a little out of town to a pretty beach where we help you
adjust your bicycle. We ride up and down along the coast with excellent views of
the turquoise water of the Mediterranean sea that fills boulder creeks with
white sandy beaches. We stop for lunch and for a swim on a secluded beach before
arriving at our hotel placed on a cliff overlooking the bay. In the evening we
brief you on the entire tour before a nice regional dinner.
Day 2 - October 10
We leave the sea behind and climb toward the interior of the island. In only
20 miles we reach our hotel where you can choose to relax for the rest, go for a
walk, or continue with the optional climb. As you continue climbing, the road
becomes more aerial and soon the forest opens offering you views of spectacular
rock formations. After a long pause to enjoy the spectacular mountain pass and
all the summits surrounding it, we will return to our hotel for a nice dinner.
Day 3 - October 11
We will leave early this morning for one of the longest and most scenic ride
of this tour. We will spend the entire day on a long narrow twisty mountain road
where you may see for only traffic, some semi-wild pigs and goats eating
chestnuts in the middle of the road. You will want to stop for photos at every
turn, but we must progress through the rainbows of fall colors, from forests to
cliffs with open mountain views. After this memorable route, we will arrive at
out 3 star hotel on secluded natural domain with a swimming pool, jaccuzzi and
the comfort to rejuvenate yourself. After this day, you may think that you've
seen the best of Corsica. But we have more for you...
Day 4 - October 12
We take the time to enjoy the peace of the domain with a nice breakfast. We
hope you are not numb with the beauty of yesterday as there is more to come
today. We will arrive early at our hotel, where you can rest, or move on the
optional ride. The afternoon ride starts through a flat valley that slowly
tighten around you. You soon climb through a gorge following a river that
meanders through boulders. The more you ride, the steeper and more beautiful it
gets. A village perched on a cliff overlooking the valley and surrounded by high
mountains marks the middle of the climb. A good place to have a drink and turn
around if you're tired. The most avid cyclists will continue to the end of the
road to have a glimpse at Corsica's highest peak which may toped with a light
layer of powder snow. The descent is real pleasure on the very nice surface of
this road. You only have to watch for free caws possibly roaming around a
corner.
Day 5 - October 13
Avid cyclists will start early with an optional climb to a beautiful town
with cultural and historical interest before returning to the hotel. Others will
take the time to enjoy their breakfast for later start. The first part of
today's itinerary will be dramatic change from the colored forests we've crossed
on day 3 and 4. The narrow road is very aerial offering views as far as the eye
can see. We cross villages where life and culture has barely changed for
centuries. When we cross the highest pass, we see the blue of the Mediterranean
sea dancing like a mirage at the horizon. A nice decent will lead us to a beach
town where we will spend the night. You can spend the rest of the afternoon at
the terrace of one of the numerous cafes with views on the pleasance harbor or
go to one of the sandy beach for a swim or a nap.
Day 6 - October 14
By now you know that this tour is all about colors and ever changing
landscapes, but you haven't seen it all. We start by crossing the only desert
found on French territory. Between the rock formations polished by the winds
over centuries, only grows the maquis (low, dense aromatic scrubs) that covers
much of Corsican coast. Each pass offers us views on the coastline. A narrow
twisty roads lined with cacti will take us to a small traditional village where
we will spend the evening in a typical auberge house. This ride isn't very long,
but it's all the best because today you will discover the real Corsican
hospitality as our hosts show you their house and confection you a memorable
dinner. You will wish you could spend the week, but your tour isn't over, you
can always come back.
Day 7 - October 15
By now you may think that nothing will surprise you but today's ride will do
just that. We will leave early morning and after a first small pass overlooking
the entire coast, we will descend toward the blue sea and follow the coastline.
After 80 miles of switchbacks, we will reach our hotel nestled in a small bay
surrounded by cliffs. You can relax by the pool or the beach, but avid cyclists
will not want to miss the 15 or 30 mile optional coastal ride. You will ride
through sculpted rock gardens reminiscent of something Brice, Zion and Grand
Canyon, all with views of the sea. This is the turn around for the 15 mile
option. Those who continue will ride on a ridge with plunging views over the
blue water on both sides. After a descent to a beautiful secluded sand beach,
you will return on the same road, enjoying every minutes as the setting sun
turns the entire mountain into a glowing red. This is Corsica at it's best.
Day 8 - October 16
In only 45 miles you will leave the beach, cross colorful forests, crest
high mountain passes with grazing goats, sheep and horses, and descend through a
deep and arid narrow canyon. A last climb will then take you back to the town of
Corte set in the mountains in the center of Corsica. This is the apotheosis of
your tour, a single day featuring all the colors, rock formations and twisty
roads that make riding in Corsica such a wonderful experience. In Corte, you
will discover the only university town of the island, with all its life and
culture. This is where you will celebrate the end of your tour.
Day 9 - October 17
Are you up for a last ride, or would you prefer to take a late breakfast and
stroll in town? The last optional ride is only 20 mile long on one of the
narrowest roads you'll ever ridden. After crossing a dense forest, you will
follow a river through a deep gorge that slowly opens to meadows with grazing
livestock. It is a special morning ride that will send you off with a big smile.
At the end of the morning, we help you take your train back to Ajaccio or Bastia.
The train to Ajaccio is often described a must experience for all travelers to
Corsica.
Tour size is limited.
Contact us to reserve your spot.
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