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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Tie the bike
Hi All,

While in ferry, do I have to tie my bike to somewhere (Dover-Calais for example) or shell I leave it on center stand?

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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Hi Ozhanu,
Almost all ferries have a sorry looking collection of oily ropes,some even have tie-down straps.I always take my own tie-downs(at least 2) so i can be sure the bike is a safe as possible,and ALWAYS do the straping down myself.My bike doesn't have a centre stand,so i put it on the sidestand,in first gear and secure it with the 2 straps from the handlebars to the floor hooks/eyes.If there asr more straps/rope available i then secure the back down too.Never had the bike fall over yet,even fully laden with all my gear.

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  #3  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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Use the sidestand. Put the bike in first gear. Then push the bike forward (in gear) so there's a bit of tension and it won't be tempted to roll forward along its length. A block of wood or even an wadded up newspaper under the back of the rear tire will avoid all forth-aft movement. It's unlikely there will be so much swell as to tip the bike over to the non-sidestand side.

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  #4  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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Do u use ropes or special tie downs when you take your own. IF you use special tie downs what do u use and where do u get them from


Paul
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  #5  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Hi Paul,
I get my ropes from Aldi. There was a offer about a while a ago. So, I am gonna take them with me However, I saw similar ropes in B&Q as well. They have special mechanism (like pulley) to tie it securely.
Hope this will help you.

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  #6  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Another point .. don't put on the steering lock .. just in case

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  #7  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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I wouldn't bother taking your own tie downs - it is just something else to carry on the road that you will hardly ever use. You can be sure that if the ferry crossing is rough enough to warrant it, the crew will have tie-down straps.

I actually think the centre stand is better, but that is just a personal opinion.

When in doubt, and the crew don't have tie down straps (such as the Lake Nasser ferry between Sudan & Egypt), you can be sure that the ferry will be so bloody crowded that you will have a dozen people camped next to your bike propping it up anyway!
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  #8  
Old 1 Mar 2006
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I use the ferries to and from Denmark, Sweden and Germany from time to time. None have had good enough provisions for me to tie down my bike. I always bring my own straps. They do not take much space. I also bring a small band to lock the front brake of the bike. And I tie the bike down on its side stand, trying to push it well down on its springs to kind of "lock" it in position. So far, so good!
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Old 1 Mar 2006
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We must have taken at least a dozen ferries in a year of travelling and the crew always had tie downs available. Whether it was a tiny boat from Greece to Turkey (2 metre waves) or a mammoth ship from Tunis to Marseille (with 10 metre waves) our bikes were always OK. Unless you are using your straps for something else (holding on luggage for example) I wouldn't bother hauling them along.
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  #10  
Old 8 Mar 2006
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Every time I have taken the ferry (Dover - Calais and Poole- Cherbourg) they have every time had a proper ratchet strap with a big cushion to put over your seat.

I prefer on side stand. I keep a 2m sling racthet under my seat just in case they don't have one. Halford or B&Q.

Don't put the bike in gear as in rough seas the bike will rock backwards and forwards and can damage your clutch / gears. Just take a couple of elastic bands and tie up your brake lever. They will also have chocks (rubber/wood wedges) for you to put in front/behind of your wheels.

Park the bike facing the bows.

Check that the crew tie your bike down properly. Let them do it. If you tie it and it comes loose and slams into another car you are liable. If they do it they get the bill.
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