IRONMAN Lanzarote is one of the hardest and most iconic full-distance triathlons in the world. The volcanic island, constant trade winds and 180km bike course with over 2,500m of climbing make it a serious challenge — and that’s before you’ve even thought about getting your bike there.
Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to Lanzarote with your bike.
Flying to Lanzarote from London
Direct flights run from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester with easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2. Flight time is around 4 hours. Most airlines charge £45–£60 each way for bikes — book at the same time as your flights as spaces are limited and fees increase closer to the date.
Bike box or soft bag?
For a race as important as IRONMAN Lanzarote, a hard case is strongly recommended. The last thing you want is a damaged frame or bent derailleur the day before race day. BikeBoxAlan hard cases are trusted by professional triathletes worldwide and offer far superior protection to soft bags.
London Bike Box Hire stocks two models — the Triathlon Aero Easyfit (£9/day, no cockpit removal required — ideal for TT bikes) and the Premium Plus (£6/day, for road bikes). Book your box here.
Packing your TT bike
The Triathlon Aero Easyfit is specifically designed for TT and triathlon bikes — you only need to remove the wheels and pedals. No handlebar or cockpit removal needed, which saves significant time and reduces the risk of damaging your fit. Allow around 45 minutes for packing once you’re familiar with the process.
Race week logistics
IRONMAN Lanzarote is held in late May in Puerto del Carmen. Most athletes fly in 5–7 days before the race to acclimatise to the heat and get in some training rides on the course. Book accommodation well in advance — the island gets very busy during race week.
Bike check-in is typically the day before the race. Make sure your bike is race-ready before you travel — there are limited bike mechanics on the island and they’re in high demand during race week.
The bike course
The Lanzarote bike course is famous for its difficulty. The Fire Mountains (Montañas del Fuego) section is relentless, and the trade winds can make even the flat sections feel like climbing. Train accordingly — hill reps and wind training in the months before the race will pay dividends on race day.
After the race
Allow time after the race to repack your bike carefully before the flight home. Most athletes give themselves at least one full day between race day and their flight. Repacking a TT bike when your arms are exhausted from a full IRONMAN swim is harder than it sounds — plan ahead.