Travelling with Bike - Condor Ferries

djhermer
djhermer Posts: 328
edited June 2014 in Road general
I'm heading to Guernsey from Poole next weekend and going on Condor as a foot passenger with the bike. Their website says it's free of charge and makes it all sound incredibly straightforward. What concerns me is that bikes must only be secured and stored by ship staff using ship's equipment.

I'm concerned about my bike being man-handled, ratchet strapped and generally messed about with. I was hoping to be able to just lock it to part of the ship myself.

Does anyone have any experience of travelling on foot, with bike on Condor Ferries? Any words of advice, encouragement or otherwise?

Cheers ears

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I'm sure it'll be fine - just watch out for your gear levers...

    http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserRe ... gland.html

    (seriously - who nicks gear levers ? I think it fell off)
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Ratchet strapped? Brittany ferries have a pipe and bits of rope... I have seen 60 bikes tied up 5 deep in this way! I would think that the staff are well enough used to bikes travelling that they would know what to do
  • djhermer
    djhermer Posts: 328
    Cheers. You're probably right Mickey. I note you've used Brittany ferries previously without drama. But I'm precious about my bikes. And I have delivered many vehicles as RoRo freight via Stena line and such like to know that experienced staff doesn't necessarily equate to care and diligence. More about securing the load than looking after it. But I asked the question and appreciate the reply.
  • il sole
    il sole Posts: 56
    djhermer wrote:
    Cheers. You're probably right Mickey. I note you've used Brittany ferries previously without drama. But I'm precious about my bikes. And I have delivered many vehicles as RoRo freight via Stena line and such like to know that experienced staff doesn't necessarily equate to care and diligence. More about securing the load than looking after it. But I asked the question and appreciate the reply.

    trouble is, condor ferries aren't your average ro-ro ferries. they're all fast cats (i think!) if the weather's bad, you'll be glad if they tie the bike down as I've experienced stuff flying around on those boats when the water's above force 4-5...
    My advice would be to carry an old bit of foam or towel with you and ask them to strap around that...
    Wilier Zero.7 Chorus

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