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July 1, 2008
In This Issue
Conquer "Le Beast"!
India Jersey
Travel Bike Options
Join Mailing List
jump for joy image
Pot of money
 
Dear Robert,

"Le Beast", our Fall tour on the island of Corsica, is our most challenging tour.  It is the "sister" ride of "The  Beauty" which takes place in the Spring.   The Beast goes all the way around the island, while the Beauty takes in the top half. 

All our tours are intended to provide plenty of riding, but not so much that  you are in jeopardy of collapsing into bed at the end of the day.  This is the one exception.  If you opt to do the entire ride (which no one has to do), you are pretty much guaranteed to feel it.  It is designed for those riders that like a stiff challenge.

You have the rest of the summer to get ready (or the whole winter to recover).  Challenges are good.  I've included some more information on just how challenging it is below.
 
All the best,
 
 
Signature




Conquer "LeBeast" 


Corsica is a small island.  It's only 183k long and 83k wide at its longest and widest points.  However, it rides BIG and has some bite:   there are 21 mountains over 2000 meters.  Pictured above is Col de Bavella or "Mountain of Teeth".

Le Beast goes from the top of the island to the bottom and back and climbs over the spine of the island several times.  The mileage is 450 miles and the route generates an impressive 48,000 feet of climbing (per the stats generated with "Bikely.com").   That is more than 9 vertical miles.  The biggest day is 85 miles and 9,000 feet.  The average day is 65 miles and almost 7,000 feet.  There are 7 days of riding. 

I have posted elevation charts for each day on the Wobblin' Sprocket

Le Beast Rating  -   

Also, check our little slideshow of "I'le d' Beaute".
 
Order your India Jersey!

India Jersey
It's nice to have an attractive jersey whether you ever come on a tour or not.  We design our own jerseys and intend to eventually have one for every tour.  India is up next.

There is nothing more colorful than Kathakali, the wordless story-telling artform, which is unique to Kerala.  A Kathakali image graces the back of our India jersey.    

Anyone is welcome to order one our jerseys for $60, plus $5
shipping.  They are all custom made, so they need to be paid for in advance.  If we get enough orders for Laos, we'll also get some more of those, too.  Ditto for the "Free Burma" jackets.

If you sign up for the India Tour by July 10, 2008, you get an India  jersey "on the house".  Plus, you get to go to go to a real Kathakali show as part of the tour! 

F&A storeVisit our "new" store to order yours.



"Have Bike, Will Travel"
Suitcase bike

Let's face it, the airlines need to at least cover their costs and their costs are higher now than ever before.  That means, that bikes and luggage in general will likely soon have a price tag for international travel.

What's the intrepid cycling traveler to do?  You can always rent at your destination, but  another option is getting a travel bike.  You don't really compromise much of anything in terms of performance and you pick up a lot in terms of convenience.  Plus, after accounting for the cost of a couple trips with your bike, you will likely be dollars ahead with a travel bike.  That's especially true if it doubles as your regular bike.

The suitcase bike in the picture is a real bike, but we review some better options on the Wobblin' Sprocket.


Far and Away Cycling
571-275-2814
travel@farandawaycycling.com
 

Gallery We love it when we get unsolicited pics from friends and customers.  Richie K. sent this one in.  Richie was on the last Corsica ride.  His parting words each and every time we got on our bikes:....."Giddie-Up!". 

Hey - that's a Far and Away hat!!! 

We'll see Richie next on Tour d' Indochine.  Thanks Richie.  C U soon.
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