P&O Ferries ?

**thegodfather** · 26 Jun 08, 08:20 PM

Im off to Assen

tomorrow and never took the bike abroad before.
Can anyone tell me if I need to take my own tie down straps for the crossing.
Cheers

**Lissa** · 26 Jun 08, 08:26 PM

Normally, yes, but as it's Assen weekend there may be more bikes than straps, if that makes sense.

Another tip..............use your gloves between the seat and the strap............the strap can mark your seat.

**thegodfather** · 26 Jun 08, 08:29 PM

Good point about the amount of bikes

Ill take them incase even they are bloody heavy ones.
Cheers

**Masher** · 27 Jun 08, 07:04 AM

Some good info on this thread Touring tips, (add yours here) specifically Noteworthy's tie down advice.
I have just come back from a tour in Southern Ireland, the trip out on the CAT the bike was better secured than on the return by virtue of the pads they used to spread the load over the seat, might be worth taking some kind of thick pad to stop your seat being distorted by the retaining straps.

Another tip that I picked up recently is see if you can get a piece of extruded ally about 10" by 4-5" just big enough to fit in a tank bag, its ideal for a decent base for the centre or side stand when parked on grass and as its Ally it weighs very little. I see a visit to my local scrap merchant!

**The Budster** · 14 Jul 08, 12:45 PM

I can really recommend Norfolk Line's Dover - Dunkirk sailings if you are heading that way in future. They take mainly trucks, but really look after bikes really well.

Around the edge of the deck (well away from the trucks) are "D" rings set in the floor. You park your bike between them and they/you secure them with ratchet tie down straps, which come complete with a large bolster to protect the seat.
They then chock the wheels and hey presto, it's off upstairs to a brilliant value restaurant for the sailing.

Only one word of warning; the metal truck deck can get VERY slippery. (Water + diesel!)

It can also be a bit of a navigation challenge to find their terminal when you ride back to Dunkirk, as it's inside the commercial port.

**Masher** · 15 Jul 08, 02:44 PM

I have used the Dover - Dunkirk crossing by car and its much less crowded than the Dover Calais crossings-- recommended.

**blackie** · 15 Jul 08, 03:43 PM

7 of us are going Hull to Zebrugge with p&o en route to the ring in Germany, anyone had any probs.

Just fitted a DP gel seat so dont want it to get knackered first trip out. Also anything i need to watch for (do i need a hi viz jacket etc)

Any help appreciated

Ta

**The Budster** · 15 Jul 08, 04:34 PM

Masher. Was that Norfolk Line? If it was I didn't know they took cars.

**Pedro1098** · 15 Jul 08, 07:03 PM

Just for the record - also went to Assen for the MotoGP.

We'd booked the tunnel but on the return it was closed - so we had to go on the P&O ferry. I was a bit worried 'cos I'd booked the tunnel so I could stay with the bike.

No need to worry - the tie down system is dead easy to use, goes across the seat with a soft padded protector & there are ample bike bays. My only tip is - take a cloth 'cos the pad is a bit grubby.

But no problems experienced by myself or any of my fellow bikers!

**Masher** · 15 Jul 08, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Budster

Masher. Was that Norfolk Line? If it was I didn't know they took cars.

Yep

Booking Confirmation

NORFOLKLINE DOVER
NORFOLK HOUSE
EASTERN DOCKS
CT16 1JA, DOVER
UNITED KINGDOM
+44-(0)870-870-1020 (Telno.)
+44-(0)1304218415 (Faxno.)
doverpax@norfolkline.com

VESSEL:

JOURNEY:

DEPARTED:

ARRIVED:

Schedule01/06/07 06:0001/06/07 09:00 ROUTE:

FROM:

TO:

XDO / DUNDOVERDUNKERQUE
Booking: 553799830

Equipment / Vehicle

EQUIPMENT:

REG.NBR:

BOOKING:

REFERENCE:

BOOK.DATE:

CAR-MAX HEIGHT N466SRW 55379983005/12/07 CAR MAKE:

CAR MODEL:

RATE:

CONTACT:

Range RoverClassicGBP Return Sailing

RTN.VESSEL:

RTN.JOURNEY

DUE TO SAIL:

DUE TO ARRIVE:

Schedule04/06/07 16:0104/06/07 17:00 RTN.ROUTE

FROM:

TO:

QDU / DOVDUNKERQUEDOVER Passengers

**andyrh** · 15 Jul 08, 08:31 PM

I have used Brittany Ferries and Stena Line over the last year and both provided straps and pads to protect the bike from the strap.

I have to say I was worried, especially with a 749 and it's desire to topple over on the side stand

But both companies did a good job.

I see no reason why P&O or Norfolk Line who are both well established companies will be any different

Any problems then make sure to let us know.

Cheers

**Masher** · 16 Jul 08, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyrh

I have used Brittany Ferries and Stena Line over the last year and both provided straps and pads to protect the bike from the strap.

I have to say I was worried, especially with a 749 and it's desire to topple over on the side stand

Just did a tour of Southern Ireland with my ST2 two up fully loaded with camping gear.
The bike would fall over on a flat surface on the side stand so had to use the centre stand, the guy on the outbound asked me to put it on the sidestand, I told him why I couldn't he strapped it on the centre stand and I asked him to chock the rear wheel as well which he did and no problems. Mind you it was a calm crossing which must help.

**Mr.R** · 16 Jul 08, 06:29 PM

Hi,
I've taken my bikes on more ferries than I can remember and I've NEVER had to tie my own bike down, I usually wait and watch them do the job, if I don't want them to use any particular part of the bike (Carbon footrests etc) I tell them not to...
I've never had a bike damaged yet, if they do damage your bike they have to pay!
Years ago they'd ask you to put the bike on it's centre stand, this year on the way to the Isle of Man they asked me to put the bike on the side stand, I said "The bike only has a centre stand" the guy looked very suprised...
Funny how things change!
That's a good tip about the piece of alloy for the centre stand, but I've always found that crushed empty beer cans do the trick, even if you have to sit on the bike and empty them before getting off.
Mrs R has just said "Wow that's a hardship".

Steve

**Masher** · 16 Jul 08, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Hi,
That's a good tip about the piece of alloy for the centre stand, but I've always found that crushed empty beer cans do the trick, even if you have to sit on the bike and empty them before getting off.
Mrs R has just said "Wow that's a hardship".

Steve

Picked up an offcut piece of about 3/16" thick aluminium plate, the stuff that's used as decking on breakdown trucks etc, from my local breakers cost £2.00, we tried the crushed bearcans at a stop in a field near Bath but TBH I was not certain that the bike would still be standing in the morning as the ground was so wet, thankfully it was. The ally plate will fit comfortably in the top of the tank bag so I will not have any concerns now.
Many campsite (most) dont have hardstanding by the pitches, result is for your bike to be on something secure it could be 100 metres away which I don't fancy!

**Mr.R** · 16 Jul 08, 07:26 PM

Fair enough Masher.
Beer cans haven't let me down so yet.
But if they want to nick your bike they'll (The professional thieves) nick it when you're fast asleep, they'll even slit your tent and take your personal belongings.
All you can really do (apart from sit on it all night long) is lock it up and hope that you're not the unlucky one.

Steve