Cancelled - Corsica - The Beautiful One

This Ride has been Cancelled

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: This is a directed (not commercially assisted tour).  It was originally led by Randy and Lucy Glover.  Thank you Randy and Lucy for allowing us to take it over!

This 14-day ride includes the most scenic routes in Corsica. We begin on April 30 in Bastia, the capital of northern Corsica, and end in Bonifacio, a beautiful port city on the southern tip of the island.

Corsica is a small island with a dramatic mountain range in the middle of the Western Mediterranean, 105 miles from the coast of France and 50 miles from the coast of Italy. There are 21 peaks that rise above 2,000m (6,562ft) and more than 200 beaches. Corsica, ‘Kalliste', France’s Island of Beauty, has been French for over two hundred years (Napoleon was born there). It has its own distinct character with its own language and unique culture, which makes it different from mainland France. There are no high-rise buildings, no fast food, no motorways and it has vast stretches of unspoiled coast and countryside. The Corsicans are proud and independent people. Compared to mainland France considerably less English is spoken. All road signs are dual language Corsican and French (for example, L'Ile-Rousse, L'Isula-Rossa).

RIDE RATING: This will be a challenging 4A ride!  There are 10 required riding days and 2 optional riding days.  Five days exceed 3,500’ climb. Riders should be prepared to handle narrow, unmarked, winding roads with an absence of shoulders and maybe be ready to shake, rattle and roll, resulting in spectacular vistas.  Most cycling is on roads with light or moderate traffic. This ride is for experienced riders who like to climb.  Route sheets and GPS tracks will be offered, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS.This ride was most recently scouted by the Ride Leader in May, 2018.

Day 02 Bastia-L’lle Rousse 50 miles 5,210’

Day 03 L’lle Rousse-Calvi 25.7 miles 2,273’

Day 04 Calvi-Porto 49.6 miles 2,960’

Day 05 Porto-Piana Loop 15.6 miles 1,780’

Day 06 Porto-Calacuccia 38.5 miles 6,605’

Day 07 Calacuccia-Corte 17.3 miles 1,458’

Day 08 Corte-Ghisoni 25.8 miles 3,860’

Day 09 Ghisoni-Solenzara 28.3 miles    350’

Day10 Solenzara-Zonza 24.0 miles 4,340’

Day11 Zonza Lake Loop 23.8 miles 1,270’

Day12 Zonza-Sartene 28.4 miles 1,700’

Day13 Sartene-Bonifacio 31.6 miles 1,760’

WEATHER: The temperatures average 65°F, but can get as high as 75°F. The average low temperature is 55°F. Nevertheless, expect the unexpected. Weather varies from the coast to the mountains. Be prepared for warm, cold, wet, dry, calm and windy.

LODGING: We will stay in mostly 3 star hotels.  We tried to select hotels with good restaurants and allow the chef to propose the menu featuring regional specialties and fresh seasonal dishes. There will be two, 2-night stays during the trip.

LOGISTICS: The trip starts at 6:00 PM on April 30 in Bastia, Corsica, France and ends after breakfast on May 13 in Bonifacio, Corsica, France. You can get to the trip by flying to Bastia airport (BIA) and leave the trip from Figari airport (FSC) near Bonifacio. You will be responsible for your transfer from Bonifacio to Figari; the taxi is approximately 90 Euros. You can also go by ferry to and from Nice, Toulon or Marseille.

Bike rentals are available in Corsica. It is the responsibility of the participant to contact and arrange delivery of the bike.  The rental contract is between the participant and the company. Tandems are welcome, however, E-Bikes cannot be accomodated.

GROUP DINNERS: We use your Preferences in your Profile to try and accommodate your special dietary needs. However, if you have strict dietary needs, we may not be able to accommodate you.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Preliminary cost estimate $3200 per person double occupancy at $1.20/Euro for 13 nights including 13 breakfasts, 8 dinners, nightly happy hours, luggage van, transport of bike boxes to the hotel in Bonifacio at end of the ride, maps, route sheets, gps tracks, daily route review and sightseeing information.  Not included are all lunches, five dinners, beverages with dinners (other than water), and happy hour on the 2nd night of each two night stay.  Everyone will receive one drink at happy hour (with or without alcohol).  Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar. The final payment may need to be adjusted if the exchange rate is less or more favorable.  As always, any funds not used will be refunded to participants.  Initial deposit $1000 with additional payments of $1100 each on September 1 and November 15, 2019.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until November 1, 2019 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $900 SOLO supplement (by November 1, 2019). They may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Due to hotel limitations, only two Solo rooms are available. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office.  Checks should be made out to "BAC" with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $100 BAC registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost because of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can’t be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels after November 1, 2019 and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers and successful tours depend on the participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leaders. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leaders informed of any special circumstances you may have.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links above the Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the Release of Liability (ROL) form, pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. We look forward to having you join us for this amazing tour. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by “clicking” the name at the top of this Ride Description. Wait listing is encouraged.