Fleur de Corse - Cycling Corse

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“Corsica has the best naturally wild terrain for riding in all of Europe. Challenging roads, great food, top flight wines in the supermarches, and consistently fun routes.” Andy Hampsten

I find I totally agree with Andy, one of the best bike racers America ever produced—Corsica has the best routes I have ever ridden!

Since 1988 I have visited and ridden all over the Isle de Beauté: Coastal roads, narrow mountain tracks, and unbelievably scenic hill villages. All with limited auto traffic, and drivers that are respectful of cyclists.

Having normally vacationed in Corsica during the off-season (May-June, or September-October), a visit during August this year, left me pleasantly surprised... Even during Haute Saison, roads away from the coast were almost empty of cars.

The routes I have taken are varied: Epics to the high mountain range of Col de Bavella; circuits around the hill towns of La Balagne; secondary coast roads with 500 foot cliffs plunging down to the sea; or hill climbs just for the thrill of the descent. No matter where my riding takes me on this beautiful island, Corsica has so much of what I dream about doing on a bike.

The road to Sainte Antoine

Roads are quite varied, from glass smooth new pavement, multi-patched bone shakers to rutted goat paths for the more adventurous. Still when you go for a ride the choices are all there within a small geographic area.

The view from the coast road to Galéria

For the cycling historians a pilgrimage to A Flatta (www.aflatta.com) above Calenzana can’t be passed up — this is an inn run by the daughter of legendary French cyclist Jacques Anquetil. In the lobby there is a display of his jerseys and other memorabilia from his career.

The lobby of A Flatta

If this sounds like the place for your next cycling adventure, or you'd like more information, drop us an email at info@fleurdecorse.com, I’m happy to share some of my favorite places and I know of a great Corsican apartment that could be a great base for exploration...

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