Bike on a ferry

[cimbian]

Thanks guys,

I have done the crossings many times in my car but never on a bike so useful stuff. I do have a short velcro strap that I used to use a coaching-aid in archery so will be ideal for the brake lever.

[palace15]

Upon returning from the Stella on a P&O ship out of Calais the crew said they do not strap bikes down and its the riders responsibility, I pointed out that the crew on my out-bound crossing strapped it down, so stay with the bike until you are happy, usually the crew are pretty helpful.

[Niklas]

As I wrote on other sites:

Actually I prefer no load on any stand at all.

The way I do to ensure that even the worst storm won't smash the bike, is to start on the side stand.
Then two straps on the opposite side of the side stand pulls the bike in each their 45 degree angle until the side stand is so much in the air that the bike almost get to "Dead point".

Then two straps in the same side as the side stand each pulling in a 45 degree angle pulls down the bike again to ensure it won't tilt over the "Dead point".

Then I tighten the opposite side of the side stand once more.

In the end the bike is straight up with 4 lines respectevely at "North-East"; "South-East"; "South-West" and "North-West" attached at the front fork lower bridge and at the lowest point of thick frame in the back - usually close the rear foot pegs.

Bike's in gear; side stand left out for when I release the bike again; Side stand secured with a littel strap to the front wheel.

Stay in secure distance to other bikes that maybe are not that good strapped down.

I never had a damage on any tranport but I saw a few bikes getting smashed due to the "neighbour bike" tilting.

[Freeloadeur]

P'mouth -Caen is Brittany Ferries? They're usually pretty good, with nice wide straps and cushions to put over your seat, so just make sure the cushion is nicely in place and let them strap it down. A couple if times they've not unstrapped meaning people are left trying to work out how to unlock their bikes. I've never had a problem though as the suspension on my bike's soft enough that I can ish it down and unhook the strap from the deck cleat.

[Shunt]

Try and get a dry seat pad too. Been stung by that. Wet arse straight off the ferry. Lovely ride that one was.

[Redmurty]

Pompey Caen on the way over and they looked after the bike well, they went on strike on the way back so can't comment on that one.
I have used them a couple of times and they have been pretty good though cheers Spud

[Redmurty]

Done Pompey Caen a few times and they have strapped the bike pretty good and everyone else's I saw. Hope they don't go on strike on ya :whistle: cheers Spud

[cimbian]

Well guys, thanks for all the help but I have now found out that I have to take some stuff with me for the job in hand so I have had to book the crossing with the car again - really ticked-off as I was looking forward to this.

[cimbian]

Well, a bit of jiggery-pokery and I did the trip on the TA, which was great!

I took the LD Lines from Portsmouth to Le Havre and was really pleased to see they have roll-in wheel-chocks like this: .

The crew then strapped bown the bikes (tourers, Cruisers etc. over the seat with a special sand-bag and sports bikes with a rear wheel strap).

Last night's crossing was very lumpy yet none of the bikes moved an inch. Really good service.