Hi all, I'm off to the Isle of Man camping tomorrow with my thrux r. Are the ferry ratchet straps and pads any good or should I bring my own? I'm sailing from Liverpool. Cheers, Mark
Last time I went from Liverpool, two years ago, they were using rope to tie down the bikes with foam and carpet for protection. The crew did the tying down and it was fine, no damage to my new brand bike. I hope it’s just as good now as me and the missus are going on Sunday
As your sailing from Liverpool them you’ll most probably go on the Manannan. Unfortunately it’ll be a piece of rope and a piece of cloth/rag. Put your bike on its side stand and in first gear. The crew will tie your bike down,most probably to a handrail. Don’t worry that’s how all bikes at this busy time of year are transported. I’ve give up being concerned, I just get off my bike and walk away knowing what the crew will do.
Sailing from Liverpool? Don’t worry there won’t be a problem with tying it down, it’ll be nicked before you get to the ferry!
As above. The crew tie hundreds of bikes so are pretty good but I robbed some of the rags they use and stuffed them in some extra abrasion areas that could be vulnerable.
Thanks all for your reassurance. I'll put my trust in the bits of old rope. I'm loaded and have no room for my truck ratchet strap. And I won't be dismounting the bike whilst in Liverpool - that extra worry had also crossed my mind.
If you like classic bike racing then get down to Castletown for the Pre TT Classic Races run on the 4.25 mile public roads Billown circuit. They’re run on Friday (tomorrow) evening, Saturday afternoon and all day Monday.
I got put into a front wheel clamp on the way there Got strapped to a rail on the way back left it in gear and strapped the front brake No damage done to NUDGER
I use the Channel ferry around 4/5 times a year and even in stormy weather, my bikes have never been damaged.
Thanks Tiglet. We shall be heading to the pre TT classic - and especially looking forward to seeing and hearing the Manx Nortons and sidecars. Weather has been kind to us so far and camping is perfect- lets hope it stays that way. Its quite at the moment but it will start to pick up soon. The track is already well prepared with every risk zone even phone boxes wrapped in wadding. The mountain becomes 1-way tomorrow and there's a large bunch here with fancy expensive sports cars here to take advantage of the setup.
I have just done a return trip on the Manannan from Liverpool. Take something like an old tea towel, fold in half. Tie down is by hemp rope and OK. John
Thanks. I'm just back and can confirm this. Extra rags/cloths are well worthwhile to prevent the rope rubbing the side panel. They only provide a very thin rag.
Yes - absolutely brilliant. Highly recommended. And the organisation runs like clockwork. Jamie Coward was riding a 1990s era 250 spectacularly. And the older bikes and sidecars were great - no holds barred riding. We saw a poor Irish chap blow up a beautifully prepared 60's 500 Honda right in front of us - conrod through the cases. He was obviously devastated - mainly about how much he was spending racing. The pits atmosphere was great too - the riders loved to chat. My mate and his wife got aboard a lovely 750 Triumph outfit for photos. We did some interesting countryside scrambling to get to some good viewing points. And Castletown is nice - there's a good chippy with tables in the square to sit and eat.
We stayed in Castletown 2 years ago for the Classic meeting, Johnny Rea lived in the house behind us, he walked into the coffee shop near the bridge while I was in there, nice fella to chat to.
I used to go regularly to the Pre TT Classic and the International held in July up to last year but just going to the International meeting this year and would flag marshal usually at Roy Gellings farm which is half way down the Billown Dip.
