Corsica - on the motorbikes
So just when we thought we had had the best time ever in Sardinia, we arrived at Bonifacio, Corsica after the 1hr ferry in perfect sun and sea conditions. Seeing Bonifacio from the waterside is incredible, the town is built on an outcrop of chalk white limestone, precipitous and sculpted into unusual shapes by the ocean. It makes an amazing sight but we were a bit more camera ready of the departure so make sure you get to the end of the blog.
I should also explain that, just as we were departing Barcelona we were informed of our return ferry being cancelled and we had to swap and change our bookings and return home 3 days earlier than originally planned. This effectively meant that our Corsica time was cut short and it really was a pure riding 6 days and no real time to relax and enjoy the amazing places along the way. The riding was fabulous but we hope to go back again to visit some of the places we saw.
We headed straight out of Bonifacio, headed for the mid east coast side of the island - Ghisonaccia. If it’s possible to believe the roads in Corsica are even more fun to ride; narrow, twisty and with amazing views, all thanks to the fact that the island is substantially more mountainous than Sardinia. And what better way to start the Corsica riding than with a ride through the Route de Bavella..a stunning scenic mountain pass (1218m), dominated by the majestic granite needles, lush forests and large canyon in the bottom.
Ghisonaccia
The following day we headed on the tiniest roads possible, right into the centre of Corsica, to the town of Corte. Even though we only did 120kms we were both exhausted with the constant ‘focused’ riding by the time we got back to the accommodation. Having enjoyed a big lunch in Corte, we indulged in some wine and cheese and prepped for the following day as a ‘big’ ride was planned!
The big ride was going to take us up the whole of the east side to the northern tip of Corsica, around the Cap Corse penisular and back down into the mountains of the NW of the island. A well reputed riding hot spot, we were really looking forward to it!!! We headed out of Ghisonaccia direction Bastia, around Bastia port, into the twisty roads of the Cap, took a hard left at the far northern tip of the island, had an unplanned lunch stop on the way back down the other side….with fabulous food and an absolutely stunning view (as also witnessed from the toilet!), then a coffee and snack in Porto and then hotel bound, past Ile Rousse, onto Speloncato.
All up probably only 250kms but about 6 hours of twisty riding, narrow roads, dramatic drop offs the side of the road, challenging overtaking, and the odd stray animal or vehicle coming straight at you.
Spelongato
Arriving at our hotel, exhilarated by the ride around the Cap but again hot and tired, first stop was at the local bar for beer!! Then we started checking out the place. It was an old palace and is in the process of being revamped into its former glory as you can tell from the sitting room. The village was lovely and lively but no long till we hit the road again.
Another big ride day, this time back down the whole eastern side of the island. We were both worn out by the time we reached Propriano where we decided to call it our last stop, with the ferry back to Sardinia planned for the next day back out of Bonifacio. We just had enough time back in Bonifacio to visit the old town on the top of the chalk cliffs, it was beautiful and we wished we had more time to spend there.
Some of the best views of Bonifacio are from the ferry and we were more camera ready this time than we had been on the arrival.
Our Youtube videos are hot off the press (with one still pending…to be uploaded shortly
BTW for those with a keen eye - where you see the bike screen and handlebars that’s me filming from the camera on my helmet, if a clear shot Andrew filming with camera mounted on his front frame