FLANDERS FAQS

There are a few options to get to our starting point in Ghent.

AIR:   

There are regular flights to Brussels with approximately a one hour drive or taxi ride to Ghent. 

EUROTUNNEL FROM THE UK: 

Ghent is less than two hours by car from Calais, which is a great option for travelling with your bike in your car.  

EUROSTAR / TRAIN:  

Eurostar and other train services travel to Brussels where you can then board a local train to Ghent.  Eurostar’s bike service is resuming in early 2023.

PARKING:

There are several parking options available for guests staying at Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof, (subject to availability).  Please contact the hotel directly to confirm parking for the duration of your stay. (Charges may apply).

The hotel has 2 electric vehicle charging stations.

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

Hoogstraat 36 – 9000

Ghent

Belgium

+32 9 235 40 70

Email: info@pillowshotels.com

Look to arrive at the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof between 3:00PM - 5:00PM on Thursday 8th June.  Official hotel check-in is from 3:00PM, but some rooms may be available earlier. 

On arrival, you will be welcomed by a member of the LeBlanq team who will take your luggage so you can relax and enjoy a refreshing drink before being shown where to check-in with LeBlanq and the hotel.

We spend the first night (8th June) at the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof, Ghent. We then spend the next 2 nights in Flanders, based out of Hotel de Pupiter, Keuzelingsstraat 8, 9690 Kluisbergen, Belgium and other nearby boutique hotels. We return to the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel, Ghent on the Sunday (11th June) where the event will conclude.

The event will finish by approximately 3:30pm on Sunday 11th June at the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof in Ghent.

We recommend you book a flight or train departing no earlier than 6:00pm from Brussels.  

We recommend bringing your own road bike. Alternatively you will have the option to hire a bike directly from a local supplier, details of which will be provided soon.

We will have a limited number of premium bikes available for test riding across the weekend on a first come, first served basis. Please note these are specifically for test rides and are not a substitute for your bringing or hiring your own bike.

Re-building and dismantling your bike into a bike box is your own responsibility. LeBlanq cannot be held liable for any damage to your bike.

Please note; TT or Tri bars are not allowed for safety reasons.

Yes, bike hire information will be provided in due course.

In the rare event that your bike doesn't arrive on your flight, we will endeavour to help arrange a hire bike.  We suggest you pack your essentials for riding in your hand luggage.

We’d like you to bring your road bike in good working order, and highly recommend a bike service before attending any LeBlanq event. Our mechanics will be on hand to safety check your bike when you arrive, and should you need your bike repaired during a ride, our mechanics will aim to fix the problem. Any new parts will need to be paid for.

Re-building and dismantling your bike into a bike box is your own responsibility. LeBlanq cannot be held liable for any damage to your bike.

Yes, bike boxes can be kept in secure storage at The Pillows Hotel for the event duration until 5.00pm on Sunday 11th June. On the last day you will have access to the bike storage area to pack your bike box, ready for departure of further storage.  

If you have booked extra nights at the hotel, bike and bike box storage security is your own responsibility before the event starts and after the event concludes.

You will be asked what distance you would like to ride as we get closer to the event.  The better you tell us about your ability, the better the ride.  On the day of arrival you’ll be informed at registration which riding group you’ll be in for the event and given a coloured wristband relevant to your group which you need to wear on the rides.

A 12 week ride preparation plan will be provided as a guide to get you ready for your LeBlanq event.

As part of your riding package you will be given LeBlanq Rapha team kit, which includes a jersey, gilet and cap plus a bidon, so please bring any additional kit you may require including two pairs of bib shorts, helmet, shoes and suitable clothing for all weather conditions.  Nutrition and hydration will also be supplied for all rides.

We suggest you carry some key essentials in your cabin bag, such as your bike shoes, a change of clothes, bib shorts and essential medical supplies so your weekend is not affected in the unlucky situation that your luggage doesn't arrive. The weather can be unpredictable, so it's wise to bring extra layers which can be put in the support cars during the rides.

Pre and post-ride dress code, is very much a home-from-home relaxed weekend vibe.  Feel free to dress in loungewear.  Smart/casual for the evening meals.  

We will provide you with the GPX of the routes for your own reference before you arrive. Our

experienced ride leaders and support crew will be with you, positioned at the front and back of each group, so that you can relax and just enjoy the ride. All rides are non-drop so constantly check all group members are within the group. 

Our groups vary in numbers but most groups are 10-12 riders, with a Ride Leader at the front and back.

Of course. We offer a non-riding price for guests who wish to stay with us and enjoy the non-riding elements of the weekend including dinners and chats. They too can enjoy everything our beautiful destination and bases for the weekend has to offer.  A non-rider pre-event questionnaire will be sent out so we get to know their preference of activities for the weekend.

Our events are adult only, and the minimum age for bookings is 18.

Yes, many guests come on their own and leave having made new friends.

Single, double or twin occupancy rooms are available.

Yes, great idea! 

Please email the hotel reception directly if you would like to book pre and post event accommodation. 

Email:  info@pillowshotels.com

You will receive pre-event questionnaires, so we can find out your dietary preferences, Rapha kit sizes, preferred riding distances and other essential information.  

A Guest Guide is emailed the week before the event and details everything you need to know to prepare you for the weekend.

Should you change your mind, you have a 14 day cooling off period from the date of booking to claim back your deposit. Following the 14 days please refer to our cancellation policy HERE.

Should we have to cancel or postpone the event, you will have a 14 day cooling off period from the announcement of the new date to request a full refund. After that point, your booking will be transferred to the new date.

Yes, all guests must have personal travel insurance to take part in a LeBlanq event. Please ensure that there is adequate cover for your travel and bike.

Yes, of course. All dietaries allergies will be catered for, just share the details once your booking is completed.

Yes.  All our experiences are in English, including the after-dinner chat.