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Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 8:57 am
by SteveW
I'm on a course next month at Sittingborne for a couple of days.
I don't need to carry any tools or other stuff so I'll be going from Lancashire by motorcycle.
I'll be heading home on a Friday at about 17:00 so I don't fancy driving my van though the Great British carpark from Kent to Lancashire.
I noticed that there's a ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend. Looking on their website, it's primarily a foot passenger ferry, but they take bikes up to 125cc.
Now there's a possibility that I may make the journey on my new CCM GP450.... I'm suppose to pick it up the day before the course starts.....it would be run-in by the time I get home.
Question......Has anyone got any experience of this ferry, do they strictly enforce the 125cc rule, baring in mind I'd think Friday afternoons are likely to be quite busy?
Would they object to a CCM 450? Would it be impractical physically to get a bigger bike on the ferry.
I just fancy a different route rather than the M25.....and I like ferries!
I'll probably take a detour on my way down to have a word at the ferry terminal, but a bit of prior knowledge from someone "in-the-know" would be handy.
Edit......
A 125cc Varadero is bigger than the CCM!
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:19 am
by coasty
I took it years ago with a mate and a couple of 250 ish trailies. I think a TTR and an RMX. No problem then, as you say compared to the vara 125 the CCM is a lightweight.
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 4:14 pm
by P4ulie
Give em a call Steve - 07973 390 124
I would hazard the 125cc limit is to stop Goldwings popping on. If you stress the weight of the CCM or just play dumb you should be fine (thumbs)
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:28 am
by Simon_100
So how did it go Steve? I'll tell you why I am interested later
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:35 am
by SteveW
I've not been yet.
I plan on going next Wednesday and returning on Friday.
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:10 am
by g00ner
Steve, as a local - I would not visit either Gravesend or Tilbury through choice (unless you really need to try the ferry)
From Sittingbourne you're only 25 minutes from navigating the Dartford Crossing and home free. If you want to break up the journey go via A20 to Brands before joining the M25 etc
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 11:32 am
by SteveW
g00ner wrote:Steve, as a local - I would not visit either Gravesend or Tilbury through choice (unless you really need to try the ferry)
From Sittingbourne you're only 25 minutes from navigating the Dartford Crossing and home free. If you want to break up the journey go via A20 to Brands before joining the M25 etc[/quot
Point taken.
Normally when I'm down in this area I'm on route to Dover or the tunnel. I'd normally navigate the M25 anti-clockwise to the south of London to the M40.
I hate the journey and I'll always try to time my journey to avoid the worst of the traffic, this time I'm going to be setting off from Sittingborne at 17:00.....on a Friday!
I fancy the ferry because I'll be on a small light bike which could be an opportunity to go on the ferry for the first and probably the last time and then pick up a route to the NW mostly avoiding motorways.
I've also done the Dartford crossing a few times (aren't bikes free in the tunnel?)
I'm just trying to mix it up a bit.
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:54 pm
by Mad Cow
You could always tape over the GP450 stickers on the tail unit
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 6:08 pm
by g00ner
SteveW wrote:g00ner wrote:Steve, as a local - I would not visit either Gravesend or Tilbury through choice (unless you really need to try the ferry)
From Sittingbourne you're only 25 minutes from navigating the Dartford Crossing and home free. If you want to break up the journey go via A20 to Brands before joining the M25 etc[/quot
Point taken.
Normally when I'm down in this area I'm on route to Dover or the tunnel. I'd normally navigate the M25 anti-clockwise to the south of London to the M40.
I hate the journey and I'll always try to time my journey to avoid the worst of the traffic, this time I'm going to be setting off from Sittingborne at 17:00.....on a Friday!
I fancy the ferry because I'll be on a small light bike which could be an opportunity to go on the ferry for the first and probably the last time and then pick up a route to the NW mostly avoiding motorways.
I've also done the Dartford crossing a few times (aren't bikes free in the tunnel?)
I'm just trying to mix it up a bit.
Fair enough mate (thumbs)
Personally - I'd delay a bit and go through the A2 to Blackwall / Embankment / Parliament Square or A2 / Blackheath / Elephant & Castle then dawdle a bit around the sights. But then I love riding in London central at night and I don't have another 250 miles to get home :woohoo:
If you fancy a spin when you're in Sittingbourne one night shout up
Re: Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 6:15 pm
by SteveW
CCM have just confirmed that my bike will not be ready until Friday of next week. So I'll be heading off on my GSA800
That'll be the Dartford crossing for me then.
It's a shame really because I know it'll be handy enough off road and I wanted to see what it was like after a long day in the saddle on boring tarmac.
G00ner you'll have a PM soon.....