The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18
BICYCLING IN CORSICA.
Wonderful Roada. No BriEnnds. and . Pic
turesque Unknown Country.

From the 81. Jdmes's Gd.ette.
II the co fding cyclist will open his map Of
Corsica and suppose himself safely transferred
from the MANILA OF Italy TO the town OK Bas-
tia. on the east coast of the island. he will be
transported on a three weeks tour such as is
MT easily to be matched in Europe. If ~perfec-
tion OF roads. air. and scenery are desired.
Corsica is French territory. and the French. in
affairs of such importance as the construction
of roads which shall le n dream Of paradise to
wheelmen, there Is no doubt that they stand
pre-eminent. AS ono spins along the smooth
faced windings of the Route Rationale"
which threads Corsica from one end to tho
other, and notices tho patience with which all
outbur.ts OF steep declivities have been resist.
ed. and the cunning courage with which the
road is snakel round and round the formida-
bic mountain heights. one feels.in the spirit
OF the Scotchman who deducch the gulhng pro-
~,livities OF the Creator from the abundance Of
good colt courses in, his neiehhorhood-t that
the constructors OF these CorS;can roads must
have had the special happiness of cyclists in
their minds when they so admirably adapted
natural distractions. such as mountains. to
For q considerable portion of the route tho
read and the railway are within means OF
communication with each other. We may,
therefore. mount at Bastia with n light heart
and the certainty that the morning train will,
at Its own slow leisure. safely convey our ward
robe to NJ Pon nsa Veis er Nv wh SssIr nSe h ar c Iigst VII VII
Eavona. and Aiaccio on the road OF our In
tended journey. But we must now make head.
way. past Ponto Nuovo. where still ex!st5 the
famous old bridge on which the patriot Paoli
made his last sand for Corsican independ-
tie ancient capital and seat OF the various
Governments that from time 10 time have held
the re!ns OF this free.spiriipd little island. and
IA 10 VizZavona, throuRl gorgeous sno w-cappcd
mountains rising TO above 5000 feet and
picturesque villages pcrched on rocky heights.
and. finally descending gluriously to Aincrio.
the city OF palms and orange treos, blue Med
iterranean. and other Southern ioSs.
1t Is as we'll. whom pOss!i 10. 10 send a days
warning 10 the inns OF your arrival. thut there
may be time riseA To XIII he lated Kid the
In order. for though fresh eggs ana bread and
good native wine tire latter given, MS ater IL
In England. FREQ. of CHARGE are always 70 he
had. meat requires lime +" DO caught killed.
no lirncnlty. French "Ill. ~, least in tho
towns and larger villages. be all-suf!cing and
though In the country districts tho pic ;ur.suue
peasants %lll jnbber AID sesticulntr only In
on's classical Italian. especially II this be
helped ont by some OF the charming Signs and
gestures NJ which these interesting islanders
arc masters and adopts. II Is, however. very
necessary on. stch a tour, 70 iernoroughlv
equipped with imDlements OF defence. no: against
banditti (tuese latter are too far occupied with
the responsibilities OF their o gn Griyste VEN
dsIIas IN Tor T, the common pm, Tourist 70 ,n have any
GGwL5. for until Ainccio IN reached there Is no
chance OF obtaining. outside help. To provide
AGAINST collRpao IL IN important. therefore. To
understand the internal &c )nohiy and possible
re%auiremsntH of yOur machine. Aud then
provided the means OF remed. are Ut your com.
mand-a temporary accident Will be found
quite worth ex periencing. for among the ma
tivss the machin. itself excitrs the greatest in.
terast. and Al they never appear 10 have any
work TO do and spread out the hour for de;
jeuner In the most elastic fashion. they will
come crowding round and Nth tho greatest
confidence and Good-nature oifer to help sou
pull your machine 10 pieces and bring aledge
while With excited dlsputeeN and wrangles AZ
70 the probable usuS Of the various rarts VI tbs