Dogs and bikes

[DJH]

Thinking about getting a second bike so that my wife and I can cycle around together but we would also like to get another dog as our border terrier died last year. Our worry is how we marry the two interests together? We would go for a border terrier again and I just wondered if anybody had experience of transporting a dog about? There are certain walks around here I used to take the dog to by car and then walk along forest tracks for miles; well I could do the same with the bike and then push and ride along the tracks while the dog walked but it wouldn't really be practical to do that with a trailer, would it?
I've looked at the various methods of transportation but your experiences would be appreciated.

 

[Willin']

Well I have a dog but as he is a big lazy old retriever who thinks a mile walk is half a mile too long I never mix dogwalking with cycling. Some seem to though - as here.

Cycling and Bikejoring | WalkyDog | Bike Dog Carrier | Trailer | Dog Carriers for Bikes

You may find a solution to your problem.

 

[Hero Eco]

Thinking about getting a second bike so that my wife and I can cycle around together but we would also like to get another dog as our border terrier died last year. Our worry is how we marry the two interests together? We would go for a border terrier again and I just wondered if anybody had experience of transporting a dog about? There are certain walks around here I used to take the dog to by car and then walk along forest tracks for miles; well I could do the same with the bike and then push and ride along the tracks while the dog walked but it wouldn't really be practical to do that with a trailer, would it?
I've looked at the various methods of transportation but your experiences would be appreciated.

Hi DJH,

I also have a border terrier, great dog, but thats another topic!

I made a clamp, about 3/4m long that clamps to the seat post, then drilled a hole in the end and tied a lead to it. He can then run on my inside and if he decides to stop I don't fall off (if holding onto a lead on the handlebars, I learnt the hardway!)

Let me know if you need anything else
Mark

 

[flecc]

Issue 12 of Velovision magazine back in 2003 had a great muti-page article on transporting dogs, titled "Carrying your Canine", with many photos and accounts with all sizes and kinds of dogs on bikes, in trailers and even on a quad bike. Full of interest and funny too.

Worth getting a copy of this issue from them, its an interesting quarterly cycling magazine anyway:

Velovision issue 12

 

[funkylyn]

Thinking about getting a second bike so that my wife and I can cycle around together but we would also like to get another dog as our border terrier died last year. Our worry is how we marry the two interests together? We would go for a border terrier again and I just wondered if anybody had experience of transporting a dog about? There are certain walks around here I used to take the dog to by car and then walk along forest tracks for miles; well I could do the same with the bike and then push and ride along the tracks while the dog walked but it wouldn't really be practical to do that with a trailer, would it?
I've looked at the various methods of transportation but your experiences would be appreciated.

Take a look at the Basil range of dog baskets, both front and rear rack fitting.

Border terrier is probably the maximum size you could safely transport as long as it never got too fat
otherwise......look at Poms, Yorkies, mini daxies......if you like borders you would LOVE a dachshund

My daxies used to love going in a rear basket but nowadays the Poms prefer to stay curled up warm in the van and wait till I come back !

Lynda

 

[steveindenmark]

Here is a really good site about it. Lots of information.

Cycling Gypsies | Bikes, dogs and the big blue beyond

Steve

 

[Scottyf]

I watched this video the other night...

Get your dog into Free Ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uslwIp48Bw

 

[DJH]

Thanks everybody so far ................so much useful info! Steve, that website is great and scotty I don't think I'll be trying to emulate James although it does show what is possible with a dog (in extremis).Now.................to find a bike to fit the dog!!!!!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I was riding through the town park the other day and a guy had his dog on a long leash tied to his bike. I could hardly keep up and he wasn't even pedalling. It was only a small dog, so a decent sized dog should be pretty good fun.

 

[johnc461165]

If I tried to take my Jack Russell out with me on my bike I would the nearest thing to being a Kamikaze pilot and I would last about 3 minutes before he dragged me off if I was doing well. He just loves to run around in circles, not good when you are on a bike.

 

[DJH]

If I tried to take my Jack Russell out with me on my bike I would the nearest thing to being a Kamikaze pilot and I would last about 3 minutes before he dragged me off if I was doing well. He just loves to run around in circles, not good when you are on a bike.

Made me laugh over breakfast this morning. A vision of this dog tying your bike in knots and you trying to keep your composure. That sort of thing normally happens just when somebody is walking past and gives a disapproving look!
We will be getting a pup, so will try and train her to be bike friendly.

 

[Rab C Nesbitt]

Just to re-inforce the notion that the dog/bike in harmony thing tends not to work - I have a wonderful black labrador, the calmest gentlest beast on the planet and he and I used to go out together - me on the bike with him in one of these extending leads.

He was as good as gold for a year trotting effortlessly alongside me on the bike when one day he saw a cat and whoosh!! - shot in front of the bike/ front wheel goes to 90 degrees/ I tip over like a bag of cement/ land on the edge of a handy pallet/ result : broken ribs and an offer to play a part in the next Mr Bean movie.

 

[indalo]

If I tried to take my Jack Russell out with me on my bike I would the nearest thing to being a Kamikaze pilot

Of course you would. You need to have the agreement of a JR for anything you want to do; I thought everybody knew that.

Indalo

 

[DJH]

He was as good as gold for a year trotting effortlessly alongside me on the bike when one day he saw a cat and whoosh!! - shot in front of the bike/ front wheel goes to 90 degrees/ I tip over like a bag of cement/ land on the edge of a handy pallet/ result : broken ribs and an offer to play a part in the next Mr Bean movie.

Judging by our previous dog, who was obsessed with rabbits, I wouldn't dare attach a dog to the bike otherwise I could enter the Guiness Book of records as the only ebiker to go down a rabbit hole!

 

[philthom]

I have a border collie and after having spent a little time with her to get used to running beside a bike,I would say that a bike's pace suits her better than "normal" walking. There is no need to use a lead as she does not move from my side even when I have to travel along "A" roads for short distances.