09-4-2013 at 4:36 AM

sorry for the late reply XD i've on;ly just got my new laptop sorted thanks for the advice, much appreciated, do you have any booties that you would recomend? (he gets cracked pads just from our normal walks sometimes) as all the good boots I have seen are extremely expensive for what they are

08-22-2013 at 9:36 PM

I have done it with my two border collies. Never as competition; more for a fun time for me and a good workout for them. I do have a few tips that can save you some heartache (I learned along the way).<br /> <br /> First, I attach the dogs to me, not to the bike. I use a canicross harness and eight-food bungee leads. This is not that common, though; a lot of people prefer to attach the dog to the bike. I tried that at first, but with two dogs, it was more trouble than it was worth. If you do attach your dog to your bike, make sure you do it at the juncture of the seat tube and top tube, or use a bolt-on attachment at the base of the seatpost for the lead. That way, the lead can't slide, and will be under your center of gravity all the time in case the dog pulls faster than you're riding.<br /> <br /> Second, and this is a MUST, invest in booties for your pup. Even if you're riding on grass, you generally go much faster bikejoring than in canicross or skijoring. Booties will save your dog a lot of skinned pads and pain. If you choose not to use booties for some reason, then increase your distances very slowly -- no more than 5% per week -- and start with two miles max (three if on grass or dirt).<br /> <br /> Third, make sure you carry an extra water bottle, either on your bike or your back, for your dog. He's working harder than you are and will need the hydration regularly.<br /> <br /> I also recommend using either a mountain bike or hybrid bike. A racing bicycle or cyclocross machine is geared too high and requires too low a body position to be stable for bikejoring. For my first few outings, I switched to 24-inch wheels on my mountain bike (from 26") to help slow me down and not overrun my dogs all the time. That's not necessary at all; it was just easier, and I happened to have the wheels handy from my days of bike slalom racing.<br /> <br /> It will be easier, regardless of your and your dog's fitness level, if you start on a flat course. A Rails-to-Trails trail or old logging road is ideal for training your dog to get used to running along with you on the bike. Save the tricky, hilly singletrack for later, when you're both used to working together.<br /> <br /> Most importantly, make it fun! I loved doing this with my dogs, and only stopped when I got too pregnant to ride a bike without my quads banging into my belly. Once my baby is old enough to pedal a Trail-a-Bike, we will all be back on the local trails again.