Ferries

[Haynesemail]

Hello. I'm toying with the idea of heading to Italy this summer and it'll be the first time I've crossed the channel with the bike. I'd be really grateful for any tips on this, such as which ferry operators to go for (or avoid) and how it works with strapping your bike down, etc (do they do it? who's liable if the bike falls? etc). Or is the Channel Tunnel a better option? Many thanks. Jason

[pdsquire]

Hello. I'm toying with the idea of heading to Italy this summer and it'll be the first time I've crossed the channel with the bike. I'd be really grateful for any tips on this, such as which ferry operators to go for (or avoid) and how it works with strapping your bike down, etc (do they do it? who's liable if the bike falls? etc). Or is the Channel Tunnel a better option? Many thanks. Jason

The Chunnel's fine though if you're riding from home, a break on the boat after 70 miles before taking on the almost inevitable long-journey on the other side is a good idea. If you've not used le Shuttle you may not appreciate that there is nothing at all to do. The bike's not strapped down so you can sit on the centre-stand and read a paper, but otherwise it's sitting on the floor. No catering; nothing to look at; nowhere to go. It's the better option in a car when all you want is speed, and you take your own chairs, but with a bike I'd take the boat.

Not sure about who straps bikes on ferries: different companies operate differently. Some will elbow you out of the way, some will leave you to it and check or help if you ask. But the question about liability if they fall doesn't arise because of the way they are strapped.

You put the bike on the side-stand, the strap goes over the seat and is tightened, compressing the suspension. Once tightened, the pressure of the suspension against the strap means the bike is not going anywhere. Some people like to take a cable-tie to put round the front brake lever but it seems unnecessary to me. The only time I've known a bike go over is when a chap on the Lerwick-Faeroes crossing strapped his own bike on the centre-stand and we ran through a force 9. Luckily it caught on the strap so didn't skittle into other vehicles but it did not look clever. If it had been on the side-stand it simply would not have come loose.

In case it is not obvious, take an old piece of thick towelling - better still a bit of sheepskin (leather and wool) - to put on the seat to pass the strap over.

Have fun!

[Haynesemail]

Much appreciated Philip, useful stuff! Any tips on ferry operators also welcome - or are they all much of a muchness?

[pdsquire]

Much appreciated Philip, useful stuff! Any tips on ferry operators also welcome - or are they all much of a muchness?

Is there any choice cross-channel? I've not been for a couple of years, but if there are options, I doubt there is much difference between them.

Another tip btw concerns loading. For some reason you are almost always told to go to join a lane of mixed vehicles, meaning that the loading staff don't know you are there. Therefore, when you can see that the traffic coming off is nearly finished, make sure you wander or lurk about at the front of the lanes wearing what is obviously motorcycling gear and looking friendly. So far it has ALWAYS worked at getting me on first so that a) I've not had to wait, b) I've got the pick of the free seats on the boat and c) I get off first.

That's psychology, innit!

Hope to see you in Hastings on May the 4th...

[Haynesemail]

Sounds like a plan.

And yep, see you on the 4th

[clutchspring]

Hi, I all ways use P&0 ferries, used them two weeks a go and they have changed there policie on securing bikes, it is now the riders job to strap the bike down with the straps provided,
All ways had good service with them, only ever used one other company Sea France and found them not so good,
Never been on the tunnel mainly because of the price they charge and allso I like to have a hot meal and a rest before I land in France,
Going with them this saturday ,

Ian.

[Haynesemail]

Cheers Ian. Have a good one next weekend!

[steveR]

Hi, I all ways use P&0 ferries, used them two weeks a go and they have changed there policie on securing bikes, it is now the riders job to strap the bike down with the straps provided,
All ways had good service with them, only ever used one other company Sea France and found them not so good,
Never been on the tunnel mainly because of the price they charge and allso I like to have a hot meal and a rest before I land in France,
Going with them this saturday ,

Ian.

P&O were happy to strap down the bikes last week on the Dover-Calais run c/w a big cushion for the strap at the seat point, on the return the guy assisted, but I actually cranked the strap down, helpful and friendly I found.

Agree about the rest, as it also gets you in the mood for yer trip and attune your brain for being on the RHS of the road!