Gorge de l'Asco to St Florent

We didn't expect much of today, since it was really all about getting to
the hotel in St Florent in order to pick up the bike bags for tomorrow,
but it actually turned into a great days cycling through the most
amazing scenery.

The day started with a giant helping of porridge (we are so addicted
that we carry enough porridge for every day) and we were off by around
10. We headed back to the N197, one of the major roads in Corsica and
marked in red on the map. We could have taken this all the way to
Monetta to minimise ascent, but it's very busy with no hard shoulder, so
we turned off on the N2197 after 4km and a quick coffee stop. This road
was great - it snaked around following the railway line at a gradient of
2 to 3% through wild west style scenery, full of cows in and around the
road. After 12 km we took a minor road to Novella, still following the
railway line.

The Novella road was very narrow and full of pot holes, but it really
felt like we were off the beaten track and exploring where most tourists
don't go. The road rises to the Bocca a Croce before twisting down into
Novella. We nearly stopped at the bar in the village but decided it was
still early and they didn't appear to do much food.

The road from Novella to Monetta is un-marked - you have to take the
left hand fork where the communal cemetery is sign posted and the D12
goes right and up the hill back to main road. This brings you out on the
N197 at Monetta opposite an Auberge that does fantastic food in a
beautiful court yard. We both had the menu-de-jour, 2 courses but no
wine!!

After lunch it was up-hill to the Bocca di Vezzu - 350m of steady 5 to
6%. Great views all the way and roasting hot. Quick stop at the top to
admire he view and then follow the road as it stays roughly at the same
height for the next 10km, snaking around the contours of the mountains,
dipping down slightly to cross over bridges. Quite a feat of
engineering.

Eventually dropped down into St Florent, kind of pretty tourist town,
bought some beer and water and headed for the hotel. Bike bags were
waiting so all good. Great meal out at a fish place where they catch
their own. Dining room behind the fish mongers.

Tomorrow is ferry back to Marseille in the evening.