Ferry

Please refer to your email for your specific crossing time. Travel on the 8.00am or 9.00am Red Jet ferry from Southampton (Red Funnel Terminal 1, Dock Gate 7, Town Quay Road, Southampton SO14 2AR) to Cowes, as a foot passenger with your bike, with a return on the 7.30pm or 8.30pm ferry, is included in your event booking. It is a short ride from the ferry terminal, across the chain bridge, to Northwood House, then a similar ride back from Pontoon View restaurant at the end of the day. If you wish to travel at different times, via a different route or with a vehicle then please organise your own crossing, at your own expense.

Parking

If you are driving to Southampton and wish to leave your car there, then parking is available at Triangle Car Park, Platform Road, Southampton SO14 2HJ adjacent to the terminal or Ocean Way Car Park, Ocean Way, Southampton SO14 3TJ, a 5 minute ride to the Red Funnel vehicle ferry terminal. Both are payable on the day. If you are driving to the ride start point at Northwood House, car parking will be available.

Public transport

There are some National Rail disruptions and rail replacement services taking place on 23rd August, so please do check your public transport routes well in advance of travel.

Northwood House, Ward Avenue, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8AZ

If cycling, please arrive via the main driveway, to the Rotunda entrance of Northwood House. If driving please park in the gravel car park then proceed to the Rotunda entrance with your bike.  

Please arrive at the Red Funnel Terminal in Southampton half an hour before your ferry ride departs. If you are arriving independently please aim to arrive at Northwood House at 9.15am.

You will be shown where to rack your bike then head for light breakfast and to register with LeBlanq.

Groups will set-off staggered after breakfast and a briefing. From the 8.00am ferry the first group will set off at approximately 10.00am, and the 9.00am ferry the group will set off at approximately 11.00am.

We encourage you to bring your own bike. Please enquire with our Concierge if you wish to hire a bike.  

Please ensure that you arrive with your bike in excellent working order and having been recently serviced. Please check your brakes, gears, and tyres. Should you need your bike repaired during the ride, we will have a mechanic on site who will do their best to fix the problem. Any new parts will need to be paid for.

We suggest a bike service with Sigma Sports if you’ve not had one for a while. Call up your local Sigma Sports store (Oakham, Wilmslow, Hampton Wick, Letchworth) and quote 'LeBlanq' to book your service with a 10% discount applied to labour costs. Parts and upgrade costs to be applied at full price, offer available until 31 December 2026. 

Please remember to bring your usual cycling kit including a helmet, bike shoes, rear light, bike computer (if you wish to use one) and mobile phone. We are hoping that the post-ride meal will be hosted outside so do bring some layers appropriate for the weather. You can leave a small bag with the LeBlanq team at Northwood House and you will be reunited with your bag at Pontoon View restaurant post-ride.

Standard club riding etiquette is encouraged. Loud and proud with your calls, avoid half wheeling and ramping up the pace. Group size will be restricted to ensure we don’t impact on other road users and make your experience the best possible one. For the less confident rider, please let us know if you’re not experienced riding in a group of 8 or do not know the standard calls.  We will help you get to grips with them.

Yes, of course. All allergies will be catered for, just share the details with our Concierge or when you complete your Guest Questionnaire.

The ride will end with a delicious post-ride meal at Pontoon View restaurant in Cowes Yacht Haven overlooking The Solent. On departure you will receive your goody bag. Departure will be 6.30pm if you have been allocated the 7.30pm ferry, or 7.30pm to catch the 8.30pm ferry back to Southampton.

Pontoon View restaurant in Cowes Yacht Haven is a 5 minute ride away from Northwood House.

We will provide you with the GPX and Strava files 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 we constantly check all group members are within the group.

You will be asked what distance you would like to ride as we get closer to the event. The more you tell us about your ability, the better the ride. Distances will be 85km, 110km or 120km. Please note that this ride is not suitable for Green group, entry level riders.

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

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

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