First ferry crossing
- Thread starter redhand
- Start date
GS-Jonesy
Registered user
They have always been supplied on the crossings I've done...but I've only sailed from Harwich and Dover.
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Pretty sure they will supply straps.
Take an old towel or tee shirt to put under the strap where it goes across your bike, some of them are a bit manky.
Take an old towel or tee shirt to put under the strap where it goes across your bike, some of them are a bit manky.
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
You will get varied answers. Side stand, steering lock and in gear has worked for me over the years.
Separately on the Zeebrugge ferry watch out for the mezzanine bike deck. I did the daft thing of not looking ahead before going up resulting in stop half way up, 2 up and fully loaded! My poor clutch...
Separately on the Zeebrugge ferry watch out for the mezzanine bike deck. I did the daft thing of not looking ahead before going up resulting in stop half way up, 2 up and fully loaded! My poor clutch...
I'm guessing it's an overnighter?? If so the most important thing to do is get yourself a cabin, nothing worse than trying to sleep on the reclining chairs or (worse the floor) doubt you will get a wink of sleep. Then you will be knackered in the morning.
Maybe a cost but with a cabin you have somewhere to keep your stuff, you'll get a great nights sleep and able to shower next morning fully refreshed and awake and alert for foreign traffic and roads.
Maybe a cost but with a cabin you have somewhere to keep your stuff, you'll get a great nights sleep and able to shower next morning fully refreshed and awake and alert for foreign traffic and roads.
I do Hull to Zeebrugge quite often. You'll be directed to the bike carrying section of the ferry where there will be two wire ropes secured to the floor. You park your bike in the middle of them, put it on the side stand and leave it in first gear. You will be given a strap with a hook each end and a buckle type thing in the middle. Secure one end to the wire rope one side of your bike, take it over the saddle and secure the other end to the wire rope on the other side of your bike. You then put weight onto the saddle to compress the suspension and pull the free end of the strap tight. The buckle is an interference jobbie which holds the strap tight, and your bike secure to the floor.
Don't forget to take your bike out of neutral in the morning though, I've seen people sat wondering why their bike won't start while everyone behind them is trying to get past !
Don't forget to take your bike out of neutral in the morning though, I've seen people sat wondering why their bike won't start while everyone behind them is trying to get past !
no_heroes
Registered user
They always provide them. Side stand and rachett across the seat with the ratchet pulling the bike down to the left- I.e solid down on to the stand. Nose into the wall. Leave in gear and remember that when you start it again!
On a really rough crossing get a strap on the frame each side and compress down both sides.
I did a recent force 9 crossing. The bike was solid throughout the whole thing.
Enjoy the trip!
On a really rough crossing get a strap on the frame each side and compress down both sides.
I did a recent force 9 crossing. The bike was solid throughout the whole thing.
Enjoy the trip!
Bendy toy
Registered user
Lidl have ratchet straps for £4 - always handy to have.
Our Gee
Registered user
It's about 4 years since we used the Hull / Zeebrugge so things may have changed since then. We we last travelled no "Ratchet Straps" just lengths of "Blue Nylon Rope" where supplied and you tied down yourself. Depending on your level of low speed riding skill (my own is rubbish) the mezzanine deck can be a challenge on a heavily load tourer although at this time of year it may not be in use.
+1 for side stand and in gear. Make sure there is a bit of suspension play and that it is not fully compressed.
If the crew member expects you to tie your own bike down, decline politely and tell him he has far more experience and would do a better job of it. He will appreciate the compliment and, if there is a problem you can blame him.
I know they don't do the route you are doing but Brittany Ferries are the business. They say in their literature that they secure the bikes and they do it well. I always use them if they cover the route I want
If the crew member expects you to tie your own bike down, decline politely and tell him he has far more experience and would do a better job of it. He will appreciate the compliment and, if there is a problem you can blame him.
I know they don't do the route you are doing but Brittany Ferries are the business. They say in their literature that they secure the bikes and they do it well. I always use them if they cover the route I want
Reggie P
Guest
+1 Redhand , have a great trip...
Redhand. firstly, if your directed up to the mezzanine deck, wait until the ramp is clear before starting up it (especially in the wet). When strapping the bike down use the side stand, leave it in first gear
with the bars over to the left, and i use a small velcro strap to hold the front brake on. I personally take my own ratchet strap even though there are straps available, as P & O straps may be unserviceable or dirty. I put the strap over the seat with the ratchet end to the off side and tighten until there is a bit of extra weight pulling down. Remember your only trying to secure it to the deck. NOT trying to break it in half
MOST IMPORTANT. watch your head once your on the mez deck as theres not a lot of head room
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT--- ENJOY
its a good trip
with the bars over to the left, and i use a small velcro strap to hold the front brake on. I personally take my own ratchet strap even though there are straps available, as P & O straps may be unserviceable or dirty. I put the strap over the seat with the ratchet end to the off side and tighten until there is a bit of extra weight pulling down. Remember your only trying to secure it to the deck. NOT trying to break it in half
MOST IMPORTANT. watch your head once your on the mez deck as theres not a lot of head room
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT--- ENJOY
its a good trip
I agree with all stever1 said! I use a removable tie-rap instead of velcro - same difference!
Have fun.
Where are you off to?
Have fun.
Where are you off to?
Day trip believe it or not £95 includes cabin both ways they have a motorists offer which includes bikes. Found ourselves with a week off and nothing to do at beginning of it so thought to spend the day in brugge or ghent or ypres
+1 for Ypres, but its a bit of a journey if you only have a day.
E. Buygum
Registered user
We did similar recently...Hull-Rotterdam return with car for £100! Handy that you can leave stuff in the cabin as well. We drove to Amsterdam for the day...makes a change!
start it and ride like you stole it! Pictures welcome
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