The Raid Corsica
Postcard by Ray Millward

Sunday 3rd June:
16 riders arrived to warm weather and blue skies at Bastia airport ready to start the 1,000km Raid Corsica "Tour du Corse". This the first day is a 60km jaunt from Bastia to the fishing village of Macinaggio at the noth of Cap Corse.
There was a 4hr delay on the Gatwick flight, which arrived at 20.00hrs, so the 6 riders on this flight were driving to Macinaggio in the back up van.

Monday 4th June:
Beautiful warm weather (25º) as the 16 riders rode 160km from Macinaggio to Calvi. The coast road from Macinaggio to St Florent is "Bella" with panoramic vistas.

Tuesday 5th June:
The warm weather continues (25º) and the views get better as todays ride follows the western coast from Calvi to Porto, Piana, and up to Evisa. John Cheesmond decided to take the room key with him, so I had to drive it back all the way to the Calvi hotel. Ian had 4 punctures and had to be rescued by the van, the problem being the rim tape, but we got it sorted.

Wednesday June 6: Evisa to Ajaccio 203km
Today the riders face the hadest day of the whole Raid, 203km from Evisa to Ajaccio, through the mountainous centre of the island. they face 3 climbs Col de Vergio, Col de Sorba and Col de Verde. Weather continues to be very good (25º).
John & Callum left at 6am!! whilst the others took breakfast at 7.30am and started at 8am.
I (Ray) rode with the group to the top of the Col de Vergio and then returned to collect the van and give back up.
In Corte (ancient capital of Corsica) I found Ray Spatscheck with a broken freewheel. He took my bike for the rest of the day.
All completed this gruelling day, with Harry Foy being the last in at 8.20pm.

Thursday June 7: Ajaccio to Sartene 155km
After yesterdays ride, most started today at 9am. The route today is not that difficult with only a few small climbs and a beautiful ride along the coast from Ajaccio. Ray Spatscheck fixed his freewheel in Ajaccio and was back on his own bike. Peter Tyas sweated that much in the morning that is washed away his Ajaccio stamp, so I went back into Ajaccio in the van and got it for him. Everybody enjoyed the ride today and are all wanting to return to Corsica. There is an old corsican saying "In Corsica things are good, or they are better".

Friday June 8: Day 6 Sartene to Zonza 131km
Today's ride takes us along the coast to Bonifacio, the most southerly point of Corsica. From Bonifacio we headed north to Porto Vecchio and then inland over the Col de Illarata to Zonza. the weather continues to be hot and sunny with beautiful vistas of the sea from the coast road.
Jeff Shepherd had grit in his eye, so the first aid kit came in useful!!
The climb to Zonza was described as wonderful.

Saturday June 9: Day 7 Zonza to Piedricroce 137km
In "wonderland" again as we climbed the Bavella pass from Zonza back to the coast. the guide book describes the Bavella as "the most dramatic road in Corsica" and it is! After a section along the coast road heading towards Bastia we trurned off left at Aleria and road through beautiful vineyards into the hills that took us to the small village of Piedricroce.

Sunday June 10: Day 8 Piedricroce to Bastia airport 40km
The final day to a magnificant tour was a short early morning 40km to the airport where the bike was repacked into the bike bag ready for the journey home.

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