Man forced to buy bicycle for ferry trip

A London businessman stranded in France by the no-fly ban is back in the UK after having to buy a women's bicycle to allow him aboard a returning ferry. Thom Noble, 52, from Highgate, said operator Norfolkline had no foot passenger tickets left and would only let him on as a cyclist.

He said staff at Dunkirk even made him ride the cycle, which he bought from a second-hand shop, up the ferry's ramp. He said half a dozen people grounded by the volcanic ash had the same idea and boarded the boat in a wobbling parade of two-wheelers.



He said the second-hand shop had had a run on bicycles and he bought a women's bike for 49 euro (£43) while his colleague picked out a bright pink contraption with a giant basket in front. Another man, a British Airways gold card member, was riding a children's bicycle.

Mr Noble said once in Dover they were forced to dump the bicycles in order to get on a bus to go to the railway station. Norfolkline was not available for comment.