Crossing the Channel
 

I am taking the bike across the Channel for the first time (either by ferry or EuroRail). Have done it plenty of times by car but never took any notice of what they do with bikes. Soooo ....

Can anyone please advise whether I need to take my own tie downs or whether securing the bike is taken care of by the loading crew on either the train or ferry?

Sorry if this seems a bit simple but have just never done it before!

Cheers

J

On the EuroTunnel you just ride on, park diagonally (as instructed!) , turn the engine off in gear and flip your side stand down. Can look a little wobbly but even the super-leaning sportsbikes weather the wobbles!

Never done the cross-channel ferries but all other ferries i've been on have had straps so i imagine these are the same.

Straps are provided on ferries, and it's a DIY job, i advise you to take a rag/cloth/towel to protect your bike from friction and knocks from the straps against the bodywork of your bike... also your saddle... under great forces you could tear the material on your saddle from the small surface area of the straps.

All the best.

Sorry Neil I beg to differ. certainly the P&O ferry between Zeebrugge and Hull only has some bits of nylon rope for you to tie your own bike down. My advice is invest a couple of your hard earned sheckels in some decent ratchet straps of your own and take them with you. You can also have the opportunity to practice fixing and tightening the straps at home so you know how it all works when it comes to doing it for real on the ferry.
When I use the Eurotunnel I find it handy to have a strap handy to fix the bike to the hand rail which runs the length of the carriages. One strap around the rail and back to the handle bars with the steering lock on helps keep the bike much more stable. I ride a BMW GS and when fully loaded it's a bit top heavy so this helps it to sit still as the train wobbles it's way under the channel.

Some Ferry companies tie the bike down for you as well as supplying cloth etc. Others supply rope/tie downs but leave it up to you to strap down. I'm afraid I can't remember who does what.

Unless you particularly want to do the ferry I would recommend Eurotunnel. It is easier, cheaper, quicker and more flexible about changing your travel times (not days).
Also, if you can, book on line as you can check yourself in - even easier! When we're away we find an internet cafe a few days before we want to come home and find the best cost/time to suit.

Depends on the ferry service - I took Brittany Ferries Poole to Cherbourg and the bike was tied down for me (do check yourself!) with brand new rope and cushions.
Eurotunnel is the easiest option - no tying needed and 30 mins and you're in France. Why not phone your ferry operator and ask them?

Channel
 

I've always found the ferry cheaper but the tunnel much more convenient/easier. Speedferries on the boulogne crossing have bike specific clamps and are pretty reasonable, and a quick crossing for a ferry. I always take a velcro strap on the train and use it to hold my front brake on around the lever and grip, stops the bike rocking so much. If you do use the train book online before you go it's a lot cheaper than turning up.

p&o has tıe downs
 

just took p&o a few weeks ago and had nıce tıedowns

Every year I go over the Channel (with a Land Rover, not a bike) and Ive always had the best quotes from Seafrance Dover-Calais. Tried others, and the Chunnel, but Seafrance always comes out cheapest. Just a thought....

I would have to say that ££ wise ferries are cheaper.. Time wise the tunnel is cheaper.. On a recent trip we booked a couple of days in advance and picked the cheapest day-time time slot available, (£29/35). the fact on both legs we showed up hours early (peak times) and were let on with no question, makes the tunnel even better. No tie down needed and 30 min all up.. all good in my book!
:thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

The answer depends very much on the ferry company that you are using. I have crossed the English Channel several times with my motorcycle, and I have had quite a variety of experiences - the worst was searching around for a few scraps of greasy rope to lash my moto to a handrail, the best being very professional staff who placed a large foam pad over the seat of my motorcycle, then strapped it down using aircraft-quality hardware.

On the train that runs through the Channel Tunnel, you don't have to tie the motorcycle down at all - just ride it onto the wagon, put it on the side-stand, and you stay with it for the 30 minute journey. The trip on the Channel Tunnel train is virtually bump-free.

Below is a picture showing how the staff at Stena Lines tied down my motorcycle. Note that they have a very clean ferry, no grease on the floors, clearly identified tie-down locations, lots of space between the motorcycle tie-down locations, and they provide the tie-down straps and wheel chocks. Stena Lines is one of the best companies so far as transporting a motorcycle is concerned, I highly recommend them. They accidentally scratched my motorcycle once, they were very apologetic, filled in a report, bought me breakfast on board (due to the slight delay), and had a cheque in the mail to me 3 days later to pay - in full - for a replacement saddlebag.

Stena Lines
http://dubfoto.com/albums/userpics/10003/Stena.jpg

Crossing the Channel
 

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like the Chunnel is better than the Funnel - so will do that I think!

Cheers

J