TOUR DE CORSE
Official Route of the Audax Club Parisien
As part of our Grand Tour portfolio this circumnavigation of Corsica is a breathtaking tour taking in the most beautiful and quiet roads any cyclist can wish for.
We will follow the offical Audax Club Parisien route which includes 950 Km over 6 stages and 14,600 m of climbing. This is a fully supported bike tour allowing you to ride at your own pace point to point each day without the worry of luggage, water or navigation. You will receive route cards, vehicle support and an experienced guide throughout the tour.
We provide you with a Carnet de Route and our very own daily route cards. We will also provide you with the Garmin GPS files so you can download them into your units or we have a number of Garmin 705 units for rental. We will stay to the quiet roads as much as possible. We also give you a fantastic cycle jersey so you can ride the tour in style.
The itinerary may change from time to time but is basically the set route of the Audax Club Parisien. If you are reasonably fit you will be able to complete this course. There is always vehicle support in case you get into difficulties. Trust us, this tour is open to all riders of all levels even though there are some big days, you have all day to ride. Plenty of café stops and of course lunch in local cafés and restaurants. You also have the option if you do not want to ride the whole day of taking a scenic ride in the minibus – so you can still ride with friends and enjoy the social aspect of your holiday.
All your luggage is transported between stages. You bike boxes and bags will stay stored in Bastia for your return. There is also mechanical support available so you do not have to worry about anything other than enjoying the ride.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival Bastia via Ferry or Air
We will pick you up from either the ferry port or the airport and transfer you to the starting hotel in Bastia.
Bike building and a test ride before having the welcome meal and briefing in a local restaurant.
Day 2 – Bastia to L’Ile Rousse (155 km – 1,945 m)
We start our ride through the busy coastal town of Bastia before heading north and the Cap Corse, the most northerly part of Corsica. Along the way you will need to have your official carnet stamped. this is done at local cafés and restaurants so a perfect opportunity to get some lunch. After lunch we will head through St Florent and on through the Désert des Agriates before reaching the sea side town of L’Ile Rousse for our overnight stay.
Day 3 – L’Ile Rousse to Evisa (167 km – 3,435 m)
After an early breakfast we will head slightly inland and the first of todays climbs. From the top you will have the most perfect views across the Golfe de Calvi which is next on the itinerary before following the coastal road to Porto. We then ride out to Piana for our carnet stamp and a well earned icecream before dropping back down and then the final climb of the day upto Evisa for a long awaited meal and rest.
Day 4 – Evisa to St Maria Sicché (166 km – 3,144 m)
A big day in the mountains today. We carry on riding upwards directly to the centre of Corsica over the Col de Verginand then the stunning descent through Calacuccia. The views are breath taking as is the descent but as we head to Corte the road rises steadily towards the Col de Sorba and another carnet stop in Ghisoni. A few more climbs to go before descending into Santa Maria for the overnght stop.
Day 5 – St Maria Sicché to Sartene (146 km – 1,962 m)
Shorter day today but before we head to the coastal roads we travel further inland to the town of Bastelica for carnet and coffee, a phrase you will get used to over the week. After backtracking a few kilometres we descend past the beautiful Lac de Tolia and to the busy city of Ajaccio for lunch. The coastal road is our route for the afternoon all the way to Propriano and a café stop before the final climb of the day up to the hotel in Sartene.
Day 6 – Sartene to Solenzara (157 km – 2,216 m)
We ride to the most southernly point of the island today passing through Sartene before hitting the coastal road and lunch in Bonifacio. It is a long straight road through to Porto Vecchio before heading back inland and the mountains. The Col de Bavella is our high point of the stage but the descent to the sea side town and overnight stop in Solenzara must be the most thrilling.
Day 7 – Solenzara to Bastia (159 km – 1,535 m)
This the final day of the tour but it is not the easiest. It starts along the very straight coast road passing the airport and onto Aleria for another carnet and coffee. We then head onto the quiet roads and inland for the final mountains of the tour. The picuresque villages that we will pass therough will leave a lasting memory of the whole week. After lunch in Piedicroce we desend to the coastal road and the final stretch to the hotel in Bastia. Tonights meal will be a true celebration as you have acheived somthing only a few would dream of.
TOUR MAP
TOUR SUMMARY
- Price: €1395 (based on twin share)
Single room supplement €525 - Tour Dates
– 22nd to 29th May 2022 - Start Location – Bastia Airport or Ferry Port (see travel details)
- End Location – Bastia Airport or Ferry Port (see travel details)
- Total Tour Distance:
– Full – 945 Km (588 Miles)
– Touristique – 725 Km (450 Miles) - Total Climbing Distance:
– Full – 14,000 m (46,000 ft)
– Touristique – 8,000 m (26,246 ft) - 6 days of riding
- Accommodation – 2** & 3*** hotels
Tour Difficulty – 3 Cogs (further details)
FULL PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Accommodation 2** & 3*** Hotels 7 days
- Breakfasts for 7 days
- Evening meals for 6 days (last night restaurant)
- Carnet de Route
- Daily route cards / GPS files
- Exclusive Tour de Corse cycling jersey
- Certificate and official medal on completion
- Vehicle support throughout (Hot & Cold drinks)
- Experienced guide
- Hotel luggage transfers
- Transfers to and from Bastia
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Lunches – normally taken at local cafés on route
- Flights
- Holiday insurance
BIKE RENTAL
- Rose Carbon Team GF4
- Shimano 105 Compact Crankset
BOOK THIS EVENT
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