Short tour in France or Belgium Ferry tips required

[mmmmartin]

Portsmouth St Malo is lovely, and although it was many years ago when we did it every summer there was a grand piano in the dining area played by a gent in evening dress, full tails and everything, and the food was just gorgeous. It was a million miles away from cattle class with ten thousand Spice Girl lookalikes on the Calais run. It was also expensive, but it was often the high point of the holiday. While Brittany Ferries charge a lot for the cabins, if you go in the day and hire a cabin it is a peaceful ride, very comfy and cheap. We also used the catamaran fast ferry to Cherbourg which is less than half the time at sea and less luxurious but also good. That is how I plan to go to Cherbourg for the Normandy trip next June.

 

[robgul]

Excuse my ignorance - years since I did the shuttle and that was in a big red car since, er, disposed of. Does that price include you, the person?

Yes - person + bike was £32 return in June 2012.

Rob

 

[Blue Hills]

Thanks for that Rob - well it sounds great I must say - better than the faff of getting on and off a ferry.

Do the bikes go on some sort of trailer?

Do you think there would be any problen with a fully loaded tourer?

(edited only for bad typing!)

 

[Dave Davenport]

Thanks for that Rob - well it sounds great I must say - better than the faff of fetting on and off a ferry.

Do the bikes go on some sort of trailer?

Do you think there would be any problen with a fully loaded tourer?

I really like riding on and off the ferry.

 

[robgul]

Thanks for that Rob - well it sounds great I must say - better than the faff of fetting on and off a ferry.

Do the bikes go on some sort of trailer?

Do you think there would be any problen with a fully loaded tourer?

Nope - see pic - we just took panniers off and put them on the floor of the trailer. 8 bikes on the trailer - on Thule racks bolted to the floor. No problem at all ... and Norman (in red jacket, knows what he's doing).

At Folkestone you are picked up at the Holiday Inn Express in Cheriton, and on the other side just by the Designer Outlet shops at Cite d'Europe shopping centre.

Rob

 

[TheDoctor]

Sorry - I'm struggling to see how lifting your bike into a trailer, putting the panniers on the floor of the trailer and then going across in a minibus is less faff than riding onto a ferry, bungeeing the bike to something and then going to the bar.
Still, each to their own.

 

[Brains]

Just a note for those reading this and thinking of coming back via Dunkirk.

Dunkirk Ferry port is miles from Dunkirk.

It's actually at a place called Gravelines which is closer to Calais than it is to Dunkirk. You may find this out the hard way when trying to make a ferry in headwind. It took us hours of massive slog to get from Dunkirk to the Ferry terminal, we got on the correct ship, it had been to Dover and back before we got there eventually.
Also do not underestimate the effects of the wind on the coast. It can reduce even experienced cyclists to walking as its faster and uses less effort

 

[Alberto]

I too would go for the Dover-Dunkirk crossing. We did a short tour over Easter and worked out ok. As others have pointed out already, be aware you will be last to get off the ferry, adding at least 20-30 min extra on the arrival time. Here is our report for further info on routes etc.

http://machacasonwheels.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=belgium

 

[slowmotion]

Sorry, this is a bit off-topic, but has anybody done the Portsmouth-Santander trip? If so, I would love to hear your comments.
Thank you.

 

[Matt1705]

I haven't been on a ferry with a bike myself, but went on the Plymouth to roscoff ferry recently. Saw quite a few cyclists, many cars with camping and caravans etc. And only a few lorries...

Oh, really nice ferry too

 

[Dave Davenport]

Sorry, this is a bit off-topic, but has anybody done the Portsmouth-Santander trip? If so, I would love to hear your comments.
Thank you.

Yep, did it this summer. Nice modern ferry and only takes 24 hours.

 

[Bodhbh]

Just a note for those reading this and thinking of coming back via Dunkirk.

Dunkirk Ferry port is miles from Dunkirk.

It's actually at a place called Gravelines which is closer to Calais than it is to Dunkirk. You may find this out the hard way when trying to make a ferry in headwind. It took us hours of massive slog to get from Dunkirk to the Ferry terminal, we got on the correct ship, it had been to Dover and back before we got there eventually.
Also do not underestimate the effects of the wind on the coast. It can reduce even experienced cyclists to walking as its faster and uses less effort

That's a point - it's on the west side of town. But tbh it's a blessing not having to go in. I wholly agree the wind can be pretty serious doing a loop from there. It's flat and there's nothing to break it up. Doing a weekend loop to Brugge, I was doing 20+mph. On the final stretch from Ostende to Brugge it was 20+mph one handed with beer (cycle path by the canal, not in traffic). The next day turning back it was a very hard slog just to hit 7-8mph. I didn't make it back to the ferry that night and took the Monday off. It's worth factoring that in to your plans - it can be a very easy ride out, and not so much on the way back.

 

[BC BOOTLE]

how much dover calais foot passenger with bike pls,,arranging van hire down from Liverpool to save messing on train ,parking van up and jumping on ferry,at least 5 riders so trains cant guarantee 5 bikes,also anyone advise bike friendly calais hotel..

 

[TheDoctor]

Well, you could try Googling P&O...
£19.50 per person, each way. LD lines to Dunkirk are cheaper but less frequent.
Frankly, I'd stay outside Calais, but any French hotel will store the bikes safely.