Cycling holiday: Corsica Tour de France Special

Essential Information

Trip Profile

Average daily distance: 94km (58 miles); basic route has an average of 1850m ascent per day
No. of days cycling: 6
Vehicle Support: 80% (with limited seats). There will be times when the vehicle is unable to stay with group due to Tour de France road closures.
Terrain and route: the route is a serious challenge, even for most fit cyclists, with one or two cols every day. Those wanting more ascent can ride optional cols on some days. Climbs are generally long and steady (avg. 7.5% gradient), and descents include some steep sections with no guard rails. This holiday isn't a race and can be done at your own pace, but you should be an experienced road rider and enjoy climbing.

Accommodation

This trip uses mainly 3 star hotels with one night in a 2 star hotel. All rooms are en suite and most hotels have a swimming pool. The culture on Corsica is very different from mainland France. Hotels and facilities in Corsica tend to be fairly simple compared to mainland France and hoteliers and servers in restaurants/bars may seem a bit brusque and burly, but a nice smile and politeness will go a long way.

Food

7 breakfasts are included.

Reality Check

The riding on this trip can be accomplished by any fit cyclist, but it is as much a state of mind as your fitness that will see you up and over the cols; the secret to making it up the mountains is to plug away at a steady pace and stop whenever you feel tired. We cover some of the same routes as the Tour de France but this trip is definitely not a race! The roads are generally good quality although, but can be a little rougher on some of the minor roads that we use. You will also need to look out for cows, pigs and goats on the descents. Although the gradients do not get much steeper than 10%, they can be long and challenging.

This trip is classified Road and graded D (Challenging). Please see the introductory pages of the Cycling Brochure for more important information on classification and grading.

Normal group size and age

Normally 6 to 16, plus leader/driver. The leader on this trip does not cycle but accompanies the group in the support vehicle. Minimum age 18.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

At this level previous experience of the cycling style or surface is a must. These routes have long cycling days and tougher terrain on both road and off-road trips. You need complete confidence in your fitness and technical ability to cope with difficult or steep terrain, rough surfaces and longer distances. Ideal for those seeking a challenge!

Exodus is always looking to improve our current itineraries and to offer something different. With many new trips this year, there is something unique and different to try every year.

Special Interest: For those who have a passion for archaeology, food, flowers, languages or yoga. Solar eclipse and Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) departures and specialist conservation holidays are also included.

Cycling: Our cycling holidays come in all shapes and sizes; from gentle self-guided trips in the Veneto, to tackling the High Atlas in Morocco, or exploring the length of Vietnam.