If you love cycling and fine dining look no further. We’re honoured to have partnered with a completely new and exclusive cycling set up, Le Blanq and if you’re a Yellow Jersey customer, you may well just find a few extra perks along the way too…
The ultimate getaways for the cycling foodie. Eddy Merckx, Raymond Blanc, Bradley Wiggins and more.
We’ve all had more than enough time to dream up our first big getaway this summer, but if you fancy yourself as a bit of a cycling gourmand, then we’ve got the cycling trips of your dreams here ready and waiting. Say hello to LeBlanq weekends – once-in-a-lifetime “legendary joyriding” getaways led by the biggest names in cycling and gastronomy.
How to Create The Ultimate “Joyriding” Weekend
The LeBlanq formula is simple. Bringing together legends of both disciplines for epic weekends of eating, drinking and riding, their team picks a stunning European destination, pairs a legendary rider with a Michelin starred chef, and lets them lead the way across three days of curated world-class riding and dining.
With sold-out escapes in the Scottish Highlands and on the Isle of Wight with Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Brad Wiggins this summer, their last remaining weekend of the year is certainly one for the scrapbook.
Eddy Merckx & Raymond Blanc – Champagne – Aug 20-22
Celebrate the heritage of cycling and gastronomy this August with a tour across the stunning vineyards of Champagne. This is a one-off chance to joyride side by side with the greatest rider to ever take to the bike, Eddy Merckx, and then sample the very best flavours the region has to offer on a culinary journey created and curated by by the chef patron of 2 Michelin star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc OBE, and former Executive Chef of the Fat Duck, Ashley Palmer-Watts.
A Joyriding Experience of the Highest Level
Overlooking the vineyards that stripe the hills of France’s Champagne region, home for the weekend is the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, voted No.1 resort in Europe 2020 by Conde Nast Traveller. Offering unrivalled access to the characters that make cycling great, this weekend includes 3 fully guided rides across Champagne’s stunning landscapes with support vehicles and riders, pro-standard ride curation and servicing from LeBlanq’s expert team of mechanics and soigneurs, and award-winning hospitality from the team at the Royal Champagne.
A World-Class Culinary Destination
Famed not just for its protected status grapes and viticulture, but it’s world-class produce, the sensory overload that is the rolling vineyards of Champagne makes for an unmissable destination for the cycling foodie. With Raymond guiding your taste buds around his native countryside, Laurent Perrier spoiling you with private champagne tastings at their chateau, and Ashley Plamer-Watts and the team at the Royal Champagne looking after the rest, you’ll be in good hands when it comes to eating and drinking.
Each morning begins with a delicious fuelling breakfast expertly created by Ashley Palmer-Watts and a professional nutritionist to get you ready for the rides ahead, and every evening includes an unforgettable Michelin star feast. The culinary highlight of the weekend is Saturday evenings 7-course ‘Tour de Feast’ – a collaboration dinner between Palmer-Watts and Blanc, paying homage to Eddy Merckx’s career – capped off by a unique fireside chat and whisky tasting with Merckx and our team of ex-pro’s. On Sunday, after the riding is over guests can enjoy the ultimate finish-line celebration feast amongst the vines before heading home.
Secure Your Place with Yellow Jersey
As a proud partner of LeBlanq, Yellow Jersey customers also receive a bottle of Laurent Perreir Champagne Blanc de Blancs upon booking. With just a few places remaining on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, time is ticking to book yourself on the gourmet cycling trip of your dreams. The real question is: if not now, then when?
Find out more at leblanq.com and use code YELLOWJERSEY when booking for your complimentary bottle.
COVID Safe Booking Assurances
** LeBlanq takes the safety of all of its guests very seriously, which is why they are taking extra precautions with regards to their weekends, and offering additional booking protections for guests in case of any Amber/Red restrictions on international travel to France. Head to the FAQ’s page on their website to see their full policy**
Yellow Jersey’s Performance Bicycle Insurance covers bicycles for training and cycling in Europe and don’t forget that we also offer cycle specific travel insurance as well.