Sept 2015

Classic Cols of Corsica A stunning 6 day route showcasing the highlights of the beautiful island of Corsica. Ideal for mixed ability groups and couples with a choice of itinerary each day

Summary WHERE: Corsica TIME : 6 days PRICE (2017) : £1300 DATES: May/Sept/Oct

The Classic Cols of Corsica Highlights All the best bits of the ‘Isle of Beauty’ Ultimately flexible holiday with classic, intermediate & challenge route options Stunning coastal views and quiet roads Friendly 2 & 3* hotels (pool on 5 nights) Classic Cols of Corsica

itinerary has been put together due to popular demand. An island crying out to be explored on 2 wheels, Corsica is already a favourite among our Raid cyclists. We agreed to design a holiday that showcased all the very best areas to cycle - the mountainous interior, the azure coastline, the Desert des Agriates, the rural villages; it is all there to be discovered.  As usual with our Classic Cols holidays, the Classic Routes can be made more challenging each day by adding extra loops and ascents to make this trip suitable for those that are fairly new to cycling holidays in mountainous terrain or equally for those who are out to push themselves. Regardless of whether you opt for the Classic or the Challenge Route (or a few days of either!) this week is definitely a 'holiday' and riding on the quiet Corsican roads is a real joy. We offer Classic Cols holidays in the Alps, Picos, Dolomite, Gran Canaria and Pyrenees too so you may want to give one of them a look. For cyclists new to the mountains we recommend starting with either this itinerary or the Pyrenees Classic Route. You will love the ride, the country and the route, enjoying some great banter along the way. We leave no stone unturned in preparing for your holiday and making it the best it can be. Which is why you just have to eat sleep and turn the pedals….

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Sept 2015

Itinerary Day 0 - Travel Out We offer included transfers from Ajaccio airport to the 3* start hotel overlooking the Golfe d’Ajaccio (30mins). Meet your guides, assemble and test out your bikes and then choose to relax in a beachside café or to go for a warm up ride. There is a great 40km loop that you can do in the hills behind the hotel that will take you up to 550m for some stunning views of the bay. Descend by early evening to come along to the welcome briefing followed by a good dinner with a Corsican influence.

destination for the day: the mountain hamlet of Zonza. There is the option of retiring gracefully to the hotel swimming pool or continuing (up) to the beautiful Col de Bavella (1218m). This Col, set in an amphitheatre of towering granite peaks, is a Mecca for rock climbers and walkers taking on sections of the GR20. Those of you that feel that people watching from one of the many cafes on the col is too relaxing, might be tempted to continue to the Col de Larone (600m), so you can then take on the Col de Bavella (1218m) from the steep side! A good day is inevitable and a hearty meal in Zonza will round it off nicely.

Classic Route Col de Mela to Zonza (91km with 1550m ascent)

Day 01 - Ajaccio to Zonza You start (or continue!) your Corsican adventure by undulating down the coastline for around 50 km to Propriano for a coffee break in the idyllic harbour. The quiet roads and stunning coastal views will take your breath away. From here you head east up the relatively gentle Col de Mela (717m) and then continue to undulate your way through some fantastic rural scenery to your

Challenge Route Col de Mela + Col de Bavella S (109km and 2000m ascent)

Optional Extra Col de Bavella N (adds 24km and 800m ascent)

Classic Route

Challenge Route

Classic Cols of Corsica

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Day 02 - Zonza to Aleria Today you explore the mountainous interior of the island, following an amazing road that links together remote unspoilt villages. Reminiscent of a journey back in time, you can expect to see more pigs than people today! We all set off over the Col de La Vaccia (1194m) and the Col de Verde (1289) to Ghisoni. Here those on the Classic Route continue to descend down the spectacular gorge of the Orbu river and on to our hotel in the town of Aleria. As the previous Roman capital of Corsica, a visit to the Alerian Roman ruins is a good ‘off the bike’ option. The Challenge Route takes you upwards from Ghisoni  through the forest to the Col de Sorba (1311m). Here you can enjoy an incredible descent on a smooth new road to Vivario, before heading over the remote and very pleasant Col d’Erbajo (910m) then descending to Aleria.

interesting place to explore. Those on the Classic Route should be here at the perfect time to enjoy a morning coffee! From here you pass over the Col di San Quilico (560m) to the town of Ponte Leccia before heading off the beaten track on a narrow road that climbs, with some big views, to the Col de Bigorno (885m). From here you descend to the coastal town and port of St Florent where we stay for 2 nights. As always there are options for making the ride harder! First thing in the morning you can detour to the church of Piedicorte-di-Gaggio (730m) before descending to Corte. Then you have the option of adding in the Col de Ominanda (653m) and the Col de Croce d’Arbitro (664m) before joining the Classic route over the Col de Bigorno (885m).

Classic Route San Quilico + Bigorno (124km with 1400m ascent)

Classic Route Vaccia + Verde (119km with 1300m ascent)

Challenge Route Vaccia + Verde + Sorba + Erbajo (151km with 2300m ascent)

Day 03 - Aleria to St Florent With the rising sun on your back, you leave the coastal plain and head gently up the Tavignano valley on a well made road, through an ever changing landscape, to the town of Corte. Once the Capital of Corsica due to its location in the centre of the island and imposing citadel, it is an

Classic Cols of Corsica

Challenge Route Piedicorte-di-Gaggio + Ominanda + Croce d’Arbitro + Bigorno (144km with 2400m ascent)

Day 04 - St Florent & back St Florent is an idyllic Corsican town. It has an interesting citadel, beach, harbour and a plethora of good restaurants. Spending a day here and making the most of the hotel pool is a great “off the bike” option. However, cycling around Cap Corse is one of the highlights of the week so you may not want to miss it!

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You do the loop anticlockwise, so as to climb up the Col de Taghime (552m) first thing in the morning. From here you descend to the bustling port of Bastia, where you join a spectacular road that undulates its way along the coast for 30kms, linking hidden coves, to the fishing village of Macinaggio. You then cross over the Col de la Sera (365m) to the west coast. This side of the peninsula is dramatically different and the road stays high, commanding great views.  Yet again there are options involving crisscrossing the peninsula two more times, over the Col de Notre Dame des Graces (368m) and the Col de Saint Lucia (381m)

Classic Route Taghime + Sera (129km with 1300m ascent)

Challenge Route

the rugged western coastline. When the 2013 Tour de France came to Corsica, this is where you saw the peloton speeding along a narrow cliffhugging road with the clear waters lapping at the cliffs below! In the village of Porto you have a decision to make: 1) continue on this spectacular road past the famous red cliffs of Piana to the Col de Lava (491m) OR 2) leave the coast and head for the highest road pass on the island - the Col de Vergio (1477m). Both options lead you down to our seafront hotel with a swimming pool overlooking the Golfe de Sagone. All that is left to do is enjoy a celebratory dinner and final glass of Pietra beer from our beach restaurant as the sun sets over the horizon. Happy Days!

Taghime + Sera + ND des Graces + St Lucia (154km with 2000m ascent)

Classic Route

Day 05 - St Florent to Galeria

Challenge Route

Bidding farewell to St Florent, you climb through the geological chaos of the Desert des Agriates another striking different landscape. After a short section on the coast road, you head inland once more, climbing up to a great section of road that traverses the mountainside. Eventually you descend to the tourist town of Calvi for lunch in the harbour. The next section of coast is glorious and the flora breathtaking and takes you to the small, yet charming village of Galeria, where you spend the night in a hotel overlooking the beach. Today’s optional extras take you in search of an even more spectacular view over the Bocca Capanna (843m) and the Col de Bataille (1096m).

Classic Route Petraiolu + balcony road (127km with 1200m ascent)

Challenge Route Petraiolu + Capanna + Bataille + Salvi (154km with 2000m ascent)

Day 06 - Galeria to Sagone Regardless of your route choice, you will enjoy a fabulous last day on the bike today. You all set off up the Col de Palmerella (408m), which, despite its meagre altitude commands a great view along Classic Cols of Corsica

Palmerella + Lava (95km with 1300m ascent)

Palmerella + Vergio + Sevi (125km with 2300m ascent)

Day 07 - Travel Home We offer included transfers to drop you at Ajaccio Airport (45mins). Contact us to check your proposed travel plans.

Navigation We provide you with colour maps, altitude profiles, detailed directions with distance markers and GPS files for those of you with a unit. Our guides will also endeavour to be at any ‘easy to miss’ junctions. GPS files are provided a few weeks prior to your trip, and are available in .gpx, and .tcx formats. The files can be downloaded onto any Garmin unit and in their most basic form provide a 'purple line' to follow. However with the more recent units you will also receive a set of visual instructions as you approach a turning. Our GPS tracks take you from hotel to hotel and are updated regularly.

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Sept 2015

Am I fit Enough? It is normal (and only right) that you should consider whether or not you are fit enough for a cycling holiday on the mountainous island of Corsica. We have created our Classic Cols range of holidays in order to open up the world of road cycling in the mountains to those who may not have experienced it before. Our itinerary warms you up gently to the altitude, the extended climbing and to the technique of descending. Our Classic Route is an achievable goal for regular cyclists who have never climbed a mountain on a bike before, though we would suggest starting with either this or our Pyrenean itinerary which has even more route options available. The Alpine and Dolomites routes are considered the harder of the CC choices. Our vehicles and guides are on hand to support you on your holiday and can offer advice, moral support and lifts in the van if you are tired. Our goal at Marmot Tours is to create on your cycling holiday an ambiance of non competitive cycling with no pressure to ‘keep up’ with anyone else. It is about achieving your own individual goals and having a fabulous time doing it.

Am I too fit? Have a quick peek at page 2 of this document the week’s profile of the Challenge Route. This should reassure you that even if you are a very fit and experienced road cyclist, there will be plenty to entertain you on this holiday. Classic Cols of Corsica

With our choice of routes each day, you have the opportunity to cycle all day and every day of the holiday, as you so desire, making yourself very tired indeed! If you do our Challenge Route each day then you are looking at around 800km with 14000m of ascent during your week. What is so nice about this range of holidays is that you can come along with people who are either less or more experienced than you and you can each get out of it what you want by choosing the daily routes for you.

Pacing and Training As with all sports holidays, the fitter you are the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route. It can be difficult finding extended climbs for training in the UK, but generally if you can build up your comfort on the bike (ideally on consecutive days) and your stamina and cardio vascular fitness generally, then you will really benefit when it comes to the holiday itself. As well as training before the holiday, pacing yourself will go a long way towards you achieving your goals. The joy of a group holiday is that you are likely to find someone to cycle at a similar pace to you so you don’t need to try and keep up with your partner/friend/room mate. The quickest way to injure yourself or burn out is to cycle faster than you feel comfortable with. We can’t emphasise enough that this is your holiday and so if you want a lift up the hill for whatever reason, then that is fine by us.

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Sept 2015

Gearing/Bikes The climbs are not particularly steep (compared to a lot of hills in the UK), but they do go on for a long time. It is best to make sure that your bike will be suitable for your strength/fitness. Most people 'get away with' a compact (smallest ring on front having 34 teeth), with the largest ring on the rear cassette having 27 teeth. If you are worried about getting up the hill then the cheapest way to get even lower gears is to change your rear cassette and chain. Campag, Shimano and SRAM produce 11 speed 32 toothed cassettes that will get you up anything! For most of these big cassettes you may need to have fitted a rear derailleur with a long reach. You may already have a triple fitted on your bike. If so, great! You will appreciate being able to drop down to a granny gear and twiddle your way up the steeper sections. If this all sounds too complicated then we do have some fabulous titanium framed bikes for hire, which are fitted out with SRAM 50-34 at the front with a 11 speed 11 - 32 toothed cassettes - perfect for our tours.

Guiding “For me your trips offer the perfect balance between support and independence” K Anderson 2015 Supporting you on your holiday will be 2 of our highly experienced, fun, approachable and

Classic Cols of Corsica

knowledgeable guides. Despite being passionate about cycling, both guides will be in support vans as this holiday is all about you and your needs. They will know the area, one at least will speak the language and one at least will be a bike mechanic. Having two vehicles per group (regardless of the number of bookings up to the maximum group size of 20) is what allows us to offer you freedom to cycle at your own pace and a level of independence on this holiday. One van stays on the Classic Route and one van covers the Challenge Route. Due to the distances involved, those cyclists doing the full Challenge Route may need to be more independent than the less experienced cyclists on the Classic Route. Our guides are experts at advising you on the routes, where you can expect to see the van, and what you might need with you. In the event that you need help for a mechanical (for example) there are 2 vans on the road so one will be able to quickly get to you with full tool kits, spare back wheels and even a spare bike. We hope you won’t need us for anything serious but being prepared for all eventualities is what we do exceptionally well. You can expect to see a support van with its water, snacks and your personal day bags 2 - 4 times a day so you don’t need to carry much on your bike unless the weather is exceptional! “This was a wonderful trip. It's my second run with Marmot and you continue to exceed expectations in terms of planning, routes, sleeping (value), and overall experience” J Kueber 2015

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Accommodation During your Classic Cols of Corsica holiday you will stay in a selection of 2* and 3* hotels all with en suite facilities. The hotels are situated on the beach, in coastal towns or up in mountain villages. Hotels have been selected for their customer service towards cyclists and their location. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement of £280 (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your trusty steed has a comfortable night too. There are swimming pools on 5 out of the 7 nights accommodation on this holiday.

Food Breakfast No surprise that this is the crucial meal of the day. Expect continental style breakfasts that we supplement with Dorset cereals and fruit. Some hotels (not all) offer cheese & meats for your protein kick start.

Classic Cols of Corsica

Lunches
 You know what you like to eat when you are riding, and it is not likely to be the same as what the other guys and gals in your group will want to eat. We don’t include lunches so there are no enforced group stops. You can get access to the tasty Corsican cuisine on offer in local cafes and restaurants which is great for you, and for them. We can point out some cycle friendly places en route and will be sure to have a van there so you can have your midday faff!

Snacks Your support van aka snackshop will be well stocked with a variety of tasty delectables: cereal bars, cakes, fresh fruit, dried fruit & nuts & sweets are the staples. We suggest you bring your own favourite energy powders/gels/bars with you as these will not be easily available en route and we find clients are quite ‘brand’ specific in terms of what they like.

Dinner We eat as a group in the evening - either in the hotel or nearby restaurant. Expect 3 or 4 courses (and generous portions) which are tailored to the needs of cyclists. Dinner will be served at around 19.30. Wine at dinner is included every night, including the last celebratory evening. Coffees/ soft drinks and beers are not included I’m afraid; we’d be broke!

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Special diets Please contact us with any special dietary requirements. Whilst the French find it notoriously difficult to understand the concept of vegetarianism, we have worked with our hotels for a long time and they have accordingly improved their services to vegetarians. We need to give them plenty of warning however, and need clients to firmly be either vegetarian for the trip or not - they (and the guides) find it hard if clients are vegetarian for some meals and not for others. Coeliacs and other intolerances can also be provided for and we can communicate with you individually and prepare to make sure you have the right food throughout your trip.

Group Dynamics

We love that we also get a really big variety in terms of cycling experience… from club cyclists, people training for other events, those raising money for charity, ex-pro cyclists and people who are relatively new to cycling who like to challenge themselves on holiday!

Holiday Start(& end!) Hotel L’Isolella, D55 Cote de Chiavari, 20166, Portico, La Corse (Tel +33 495251025) Hotel A Rena D’Oru, Lieu sit Esigna, 20118, Sagone. La Corse (Tel +33 495280009)

Your group will be any number up to a maximum of 20, plus your 2 leaders. This number works really well - its big enough for you to find others to cycle with at your pace, but not so huge that you feel you’re on a group holiday! We get lots of clients booking alone, and lots of small groups of friends. If you think you can get a group of 18 20 people together then we can offer you a custom departure date.

Classic Cols of Corsica

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Travel Marmot Tours includes airport transfers from the most convenient airport for the start of your trip. Transfers are timed to fit in with as many flights from as many regional airports as possible - we are slaves to the airline timetables! If you arrive earlier than the transfer time then you will need to wait at the airport for your pick up. If flights are slightly delayed then transfers may also be delayed. If flights are significantly delayed or cancelled then you may need to get public transport to the start hotel and make a claim on your insurance or to your airline.

Airport Transfers Ajaccio airport to the start hotel takes 30 mins depending on traffic. If you cannot arrive to meet our transfer times below, you can get an airport taxi (approx. cost €40). Pick up: Ajaccio Airport 09.45 (for flights arriving before 9.30) Drop off: Ajaccio Airport 08.00 (for flights leaving after 10.00)

Flights for 2016 Unfortunately only EJ from LGW fly direct into to Ajaccio on a Sunday. Air France (via Paris Orly) and Air Corsica (via Marseille/Nice) do indirect flights.

Classic Cols of Corsica

If you are flying long haul, you can fly into LGW or Geneva for EJ flights on to Ajaccio. We recommend arriving into Corsica a day early in order to get over any jet lag before you start your holiday.

Flights for 2017 We need to wait till all airlines have published their timetables (approx Oct 2016) before confirming our 2017 pick ups. Please do NOT book flights until then. We will be in touch by email at this time. Thanks! We have lots of experience in helping clients get to and from our holidays in the simplest and most cost effective way so contact us at [email protected] if you need more detailed information.

Under your own steam… If you are going to meet us at the start hotel or are leaving independently at the end of your trip to go on elsewhere then do let us know and we may be able to help you with your travel plans.

Ferry Port Transfers We are able to do a pick up from Ajaccio Ferry Terminal on Sunday morning, although if an arrival time clashes with the airport pick ups you may need to wait, or take a taxi. Corsica Ferries or SNCM operate day ferries departing from Nice or overnight ferries from Toulon.

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What’s Included ?

Bike Hire

Trip Price: £1300 (twin share)
 Single Room Supplement: £280

Marmot Tours has an excellently maintained fleet of custom built titanium framed bikes available to rent for your holiday. Advantages of rental include:

• 6 days supported riding • Airport transfers @ specified times • Route notes/directions/maps/GPS files

• avoiding hefty fees levied by airlines for

transport • worry free travel (knowing your trusty steed is

safely stored away at home!)

•

7 nights half board accommodation & table wine @ dinner including last night

• 2 customised & well stocked vehicles with experienced guides, offering moral, mechanical & medical support, plus snacks & water

• 750ml Marmot Tours water bidon x 1 and Marmot Tours cotton buff

Insurance Holiday insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours trips. Anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the cycle so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during training and need to cancel, you are covered.

• the chance to try a titanium bike built

specifically with climbing cols in mind (gearing!) • relinquishing responsibility for cleaning and

maintenance to our experienced team. Prices: £40/day on the bike including an insurance fee. For full spec and dimensions, please look at our website Bike Hire page

Financial Protection Marmot Tours are members of ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents.   ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan.

Your insurance needs to cover you for noncompetitive road cycling (cycle touring) with the following fairly standard inclusions:

As part of our membership contract we are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct.  

Medical Expenses
 Repatriation


• In line with our ABTA membership (no Y6184),


 Some clients also like to ensure they have the following optional items: Cancellation cover
 Loss or damage to their bike.

we hold an insurance policy that gives you full financial protection for all funds you pay us for your holiday.

• We have full Tour Operators Professional and Public Liability Insurance with specialist brokers Campbell Irvine.

NB if you are hiring a bike from us there is an insurance element in the fee so you will not need additional cover. 

• We carry out risk assessments on all of our

We will ask you to complete a form with your policy number and emergency contact details for the trip but in the meantime we don’t need any confirmation of your cover. 

• We employ staff with the correct experience

Classic Cols of Corsica

holidays to ensure we have thought through every detail.

and skills to ensure you have a safe and fun trip, and have a thorough training programme each season.

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• We comply with the legislation and Tourism Code for the countries we work in. Accordingly, in France we are registered with ATOUT France, the French registration body for Tour Operators. Marmot Tours Ltd holds a Tour Operators License renewed annually by ATOUT. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a a complaint, please contact ABTA, 30 Park St, London, SE1 9EQ (Tel 0203 117 0500).

How to Book 1. Email [email protected] to check availability for your preferred departure date

Classic Cols of Corsica

2. Bag your spot with a provisional booking for a week or so while you get planning 3. Find your trip page on www.marmottours.co.uk and follow the link to our online booking form 4. Receive an automated email with payment options for your £200 deposit, and arrange payment 5. Await contact from Kate and Catherine in the office regarding confirmation of your booking 6. We send out a detailed Holiday Guide around 6 weeks before your holiday but are here to answer questions at any time

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