Starting a new thread rather than going off topic on another thread (how novel). :-)
I was sorry to read about the problems wiltsguy had on a return ferry journey and his bike had gone over and been wrecked. Glad to hear the ferry company said they will pay up and sort it though... however, I wondered whether all ferry companies tie down your bike for you (i.e. taking the responsibility for securing it), or whether that is ever up to you to do (but maybe they provide equipment to do it)? What are people's experience?
Also - what happens on that train under the channel? I'm guessing you just ride on and then have to sit on the floor by your bike for the journey through? Do you then put the bike on the side stand or the centre stand? Do you get to tie it down at all?
I've never ridden far enough to get near a ferry or said train, but now I'm on the GTR I think I probably should!
Ok, differnet ferry companies have different systems, depending on how many bikes, what ferry it is and how rough it is.
we go away at least 6 times a year and this is what we have found with the peeps we use.
LD lines and brittany ferries will usually tie your bikes down for you, they use the side stand and a big fook off tie down strap, some of the ferries have a seat pad available, but it is still best to take your own, and old foam back protector pad is the best.
Rule of thumb, don't leave the bike untill you are happy with the way it's tied down, ensure you leave it in gear, and if you still arn't happy, say so. I had an issue with where they put us, one time and made them move the bike to a better place.
Sometimes they do have the front wheel rack thingys... I have heard tales of them warping front wheels.
With the tunnel, you just put it on the side stand and stand beside it, again the bike is best left in gear and set at an angle across the train. Also it is best to hang on to the bike when the train is speeding up and slowing down.
hope this helps.
The only time ferry staff secured my bike so far was on the Dover-Dunkirk crossing.
Some operators only provide ropes others have tie-downs as well.
Experienced tourers tend to bring their own tie downs.
On some ferries (i.e. Hull-Rotterdam) you haven't got much space since they often park bikes 2 in a row so you haven't got a choice and have to put it on the centre stand because the GTR is so wide.
I think having the bike on the side stand and in 1st gear is safer, though.
I usually just use a tie down over the seat and if I expect a rough crossing also secure the fork and back wheel to stop the bike from moving forward and fall of the stand. So far all crossings have been smooth and the North Sea has been gentle. But I know it can turn into a raging beast especially in the winter.
Tunnel is ride on, place wheel resting on carriages 'kerb' inside, on side stand in gear. Been on the tunnel upwards of 20 time son various bike with no problem.
Again been on many ferries, including a very bouncy crossing to Bilbao this year, with no problems. Ferry companies generally provide tie downs and will help you do it but I always take an old T-Shirt to go over the seat to stop the straps marking. Companies really don't want damage because it costs them money.
Some Sea France ferries have special locking platforms for bikes, ride in lock in the front wheel and strap down the rear pegs, but most strap to floor rings.
If you've not been to the Continent on your bike do it now!! It is the best experience I have had, ridden in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Italy and loved it all. My advice would be start with the Alps, great scenery, great roads, not too far and you get to dip in and out of several countries.
Or for a taster, if your in the South of England, try a day/weekend trip to France, I live about 80 miles from the tunnel and do lunch in Le Touquet in a day.
Happy travelling.
Oh, and the LD lines fast ferry...is called 'the VOMIT COMET' for a reason.... :-[...... lol
Can't be as bad as the old SeaSpeed hovercrafts were.
Was like sitting in a motocross bike whilst Ricky Carmichael does his best stuff. :o
Train is best, but also most expensive and no good if yer claustrophobic.
I tend to use the DFDS Dover-Dunkerque route as it's the cheapest and only 2 hours crossing time.
Added more to my original thread.