The European Chronicles 2023.4 - Zig Zags and the Aleria Historic Rally

May 30, 2023

The European Chronicles 2023.4 - Zig Zags and the Aleria Historic Rally

Great Riding & Serendipity

Sometimes, you get lucky!

First, a wander around Bastia. It's a port town, a bit "gritty" but some interesting areas.

Flea market on the harbor

Moby on the move...

Gotta love the paint job! 😎

Originally, I was taking a Moby ferry, but when I went to book, there was nothing available. Later there was, but I had already booked on Corsica. No idea why...Italia! 😂

Absolutely wonderful courtyard restaurant, equally wonderful vegetable risotto.

Django Unchained 😂

I've got a zig zag route planned: northwest, then back across the mountains to the southeast. Thunderstorms were predicted and I was hoping to miss them. I failed. 😒

Started out on the wine route

Relive 'Bastia to Aleria The Long Way'

Lunch stop, very nice couple on a Moto Guzzi and, of course, special Moto parking!

Into the (really, really) good stuff

Spectacular red rock cliffs along the northwest coast

As I took the photo above, there's a flash of lightning along with thunder to my left, with dark clouds gathering over the "mountain in the middle," which actually turns out to be a ski area (5000 feet). Ride into rain as I climb, temp drops from 79 to 50, but eventually ride out of it on the other side.

Dry by the time I hit this gorge, the Canyon de La Ruda

Incredible bridge

This was a LONG day, only 190 miles but almost everything twisty. End at a cute little hotel in Aleria, not far from the beach.

Great veranda

Mia gets her own room

Locked up tight. 😂

The next day over breakfast, there are a couple of guys in Nomex race suits; of course I ask. Apparently, today is the start of the Aleria Historic Rally. Historic Rally

Both tarmac and unpaved sections, the tarmac starts today. Navigator and driver, time/speed/distance. Some roads supposedly closed by the gendarmerie so they can drive "with enthusiasm." Guys I was chatting with brought their car from the north of France. Starting point is a couple of blocks from the hotel. I catch a couple heading out.