Far and Away Cycling   FarAndAwayCycling.com  

I have been on 2 trips with Far and Away Cycling. Spain and Corsica. Both were well planned and supported. The routes take you on the most interesting, less travelled roads with beautiful sceneries and pretty towns and villages. Excellents hotels and very good meals." - Chantal B, Arlington VA

"I went to Corsica with farandawaycycling. Bob Thompson planned a wonderful trip. The hotels and restaurants were of excellent quality. The cycling was so much fun, the routes chosen were very condusive to riding." - Meghan, Ellicott City, MD

"Went to Corsica in September for 7 days and it was superb. Stayed in very comfortable accommodations, which was necessary after riding 60-70 miles/day. The group of 10 riders was supported by a SAG. " - Karen K., Bethesda, MD

" ...We did an average of 60+ miles/day, scenery was spectacular! Tour was well-run, yet quite laid back. Met together for meals and exploring the towns together in the evening. Reasonably priced"

"To those that have asked about Laos: Do it! It was a fabulous trip; and the window for this kind of experience in Laos is closing. At the moment, the roads are quite good, and except for the last day into Vientiane, the traffic is not bad. Moving through villages at cycling pace was perfect -- leisurely enough that you could experience the ambience of the town (a thousand fascinating vignettes in every village) and not so slow as to be intrusive. The people are warm and friendly, and not calloused against foreigners. We were still a novelty for the people who saw us; kids came running from three fields away to say Sabaidee! This is by no means a luxury tour (it's better! It's real!). Some of the guest-houses were quite rustic - one could do an interesting comparison of plumbing fixtures through the different regions - but the idiosyncrasies of each place was part of the charm. And one discovers that a hot bucket shower after a tough ride in the rain is one of life's great experiences! One of the most interesting places we stayed didn't even have a guesthouse -- we were billeted out with families in the hometown of Bob's local guide, and made to feel really at home. None of us got sick from the food or the places we stayed. Somebody brought a cold, but most of us avoided it. The ride covers a fair territory, and is mostly mountainous - some of the scenery was spectacular. In the end, I actually much preferred that terrain to the flat ride on the final day.The trip includes great side attractions - we had a great time kayaking and spelunking one day. This was my first cycling trip, but it won't be my last. Bob's the best. His style is low-key; he lets people travel and explore at their own pace, while making sure that all of the basics are covered. You feel fully looked after, and never at a loss of things to do, without ever feeling smothered or over-organized. Have fun! Gwyn Kutz

"Just returned from Corsica on my first ever cycling tour and I'd have to say that Far & Away made it one of the most memorable trips I've taken so far.  The rides take you through some of the most incredible scenery I've ever seen and to hilltop villages and coastal towns I probably wouldn't have thought to visit on my own.   As a novice cyclist, I was initially a little concerned about going on a trip like this given my lack of experience, but I was able to ride at my own pace, and knowing that the support vehicle was there if I needed it really gave me the peace of mind to fully enjoy my time there.  The cycling was fantastic although challenging at times, but there was always time afterward to explore the town and meet up with the group for happy hour before dinner.  ... For the price that you pay, the accommodations were very comfortable, and the food and was delicious ... - Jenny Wang, New York, NY

"For me the F&A tour in Corsica achieved the perfect balance between being organized enough to remove the stress, while being flexible enough to retain an air of adventure.It is very good value for the money and of course it doesn't hurt that Corsica is such a beautiful destination. The trip is also sheduled for exactly the right point in the calender since I would think that the island becomes a congested nightmare further into the season. Also expect to do some fairly vigorous cycling if you are not the hammerhead type - Jim Norton, Reston VA

"I did the one week Corsica 'Beauty' trip. Well organized, well guided. Very reasonable price. group size good. accomodations and food both varied and excellent. " - Duane Erickson, Sandy Spring, MD

" Rode Corsica, the "Beast". It was great tour...and a great value. Everything was well organized and there was plenty of ride support. Bob (our guide) was very knowledgeable about the area and our routes and did a great job of bringing our group together. The hotels were clean and comfortable and the meals gave us a real opportunity to experience plenty of authentic French/Corsican cuisine. The route was a welcome challenge but still very manageable for the average recreational rider because the grades were long but not steep." - Shawn Veltman, Blacksburg, VA

"I recently returned from a trip to Corsica with Far and Away Cycling. There were 13 of us including, Bob, the tour leader. Bob runs his own small operation, which feels like a group of friends on a tour with one of them handling the arrangements. Bob is personable, relaxed and unflappable  when it comes to handling problems along the way. He is also organized and accommodating." J. Stoodley, Falls Church, VA

Return to Rider Reviews