RIOJA FAQS

Hotel Marqués de Riscal is approximately 1 hour 30 minute drive from Bilbao airport. 

We recommend looking at the LeBlanq itinerary and booking your flights accordingly.  Airport transfers will be offered for the flights on the event start and end dates. 

Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Torrea, 1, 01340 Elciego, Spain

Hotel Contact Number: Tel: +34 945 18 08 80

Suggested arrival and event check-in is 1:00PM - 3:00PM on Thursday 13th April.  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. 

The event will finish from approximately 2:00pm on Sunday 16th April. We recommend you book a flight departing Bilbao no earlier than 5:00pm.

Group airport transfers are provided for guests arriving on Thursday 13th April on the following flights:

Amsterdam - Bilbao KL1685 09:15 - 11:20

London Gatwick - Bilbao VY6304 10:10 - 13:10

And departing on Sunday 16th April on the following flights:

Bilbao - Amsterdam KL1688 17:10 - 19:10

Bilbao - London Gatwick VY7292 18:05 - 18:55

Please book your own transportation if you are arriving on alternative flights to those stated above, or before Thursday 13th April or departing after Sunday 16th April. 

Please supply your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival in Rioja in order to guarantee a transfer. We suggest pre-booking a taxi or hiring a car from Bilbao airport if travelling outside of the complimentary transfer times.

Why not make a longer break of it and either extend your stay at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, or enjoy a night before or after the event in Bilbao? Home of the Guggenheim museum and famed for its art, architecture and delicious Basque pintxos, Bilbao is a thriving, cultural city that’s well worth a visit.

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 you 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.

Bike boxes can be kept in storage for the duration of the event, until 5:00pm on Sunday 16th April.  On the Sunday afternoon you will have access to the bike storage area to pack your bike box then you can take your bike box ready for your airport transfer or further storage.  

If you have booked additional nights at the hotel, bike and bike box storage security becomes 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 10 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, helmet, 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.

Pre and post-ride dress code, is very much a home-from-home relaxed weekend vibe. Feel free to dress in loungewear. Do bring swimwear to enjoy the spa facilities and loose clothing for the post-ride stretch. Smart/casual/party for the evening meals. Bring a jacket or something warm to wear as we hope to host pre-dinner drinks outdoors.  

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 very much invite you to bring your partner or a friend. We offer a non-riding price for guests who wish to stay with us and enjoy the non-riding elements of the weekend. We will be curating a programme of optional active or culinary activities for non-riders that will make the most of our destination.

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 and twin occupancy rooms are available. Upgraded rooms are available upon booking.

Yes, please let us know if you’d like to book extra nights so that we can facilitate this with the hotel.

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 and 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.