Corsica - worth a trip?

[Mr.Gib]

How is Corsica for epic big rides? Thinking of spending a couple of weeks there.
Variety?
Steepness of climbs?
Road surface?

[Attermann]

Road surface isn’t that good, but they have a 30 km climb on the center of the island, I can ask my dad if he remembers where it was.

[galr1]

I was there last summer with the family and did a little riding around the South - over Col de Bacino, down to Porto Vecchio, and loop back via the Ospedale (about 17km at 5%). It wasn't a cycling trip so didn't have too much time for the bike, but easy to put together 100km rides with about 2500m elevation, that was plenty for me in the heat anyway...

Loads of really good info here:
http://www.corsicacyclist.com/

Road surface not very good generally, but some nice roads of course - I survived on 23mm without any drama. Drivers seemed to have a pretty good attitude toward cyclists I found and not too much traffic on the routes I used, but the main roads are full of really bad drivers - actually worse than in Tuscany! Webiste above advises on traffic levels on the routes I think.

[karmaz]

I was there last summer with the family and did a little riding around the South - over Col de Bacino, down to Porto Vecchio, and loop back via the Ospedale (about 17km at 5%). It wasn't a cycling trip so didn't have too much time for the bike, but easy to put together 100km rides with about 2500m elevation, that was plenty for me in the heat anyway...

Loads of really good info here:
http://www.corsicacyclist.com/

Road surface not very good generally, but some nice roads of course - I survived on 23mm without any drama. Drivers seemed to have a pretty good attitude toward cyclists I found and not too much traffic on the routes I used, but the main roads are full of really bad drivers - actually worse than in Tuscany! Webiste above advises on traffic levels on the routes I think.

I'm from the north and agree with everything above! Stay off the main National roads, especially the loop along the coast, as traffic is a nightmare and there's usually very little shoulder to ride on. There's an great variety in roads, but most of the fun ones tend to go up and you'll be close to the mountains no matter where on the island you go. Personal favourite is the Cap Corse, the finger at the top. It's a bit more wild and rugged than the rest of the island and makes for a nice full day ride if you start from Bastia or St Florent.

The steepness of the climbs vary a lot. Most of the ones I ride around the Castanicca region are 5-7% average, so pretty average. Road surfaces tend to be poorly kept, especially higher up in the mountains where you have less and less tourist, more water damage and more farm traffic. One thing to watch out for, but also enjoy, is the local wildlife You will see cows, goats and semi-wild hogs on the road countless times.

[dolophonic]

Well worth it .. one of the best places to ride full stop.. that is if you like climbing, dont want to stay in ski resorts and like your countryside a little ruff !

Corsica is hard to beat.

If you want more details or some routes let me know

[TonyM]

Well worth it .. one of the best places to ride full stop.. that is if you like climbing, dont want to stay in ski resorts and like your countryside a little ruff !

Corsica is hard to beat.

If you want more details or some routes let me know

Or the Massif Central......but they don’t have these crazy nice beaches...LOL

[Mr.Gib]

Well worth it .. one of the best places to ride full stop.. that is if you like climbing, dont want to stay in ski resorts and like your countryside a little ruff !

Corsica is hard to beat.

If you want more details or some routes let me know

Thanks, that's good to hear. Climbing for sure - that's the point. I understand there is not an inch of flat road - perfect. Nice offer but no need for route info - we're going to ride it all!