Cycling roadtrip with his dog, 700 km across France for Nikita and Frédéric

Hello Wouafer's! I find you with a new testimony Too W'ouf! Frédéric and Nikita left by bike for a hell of a journey crossing a good part of France. In this new Mag' article, they share their great experience with us! With just over 700 km in the calves, I can tell you that pedaling for these two has become automatic! For Frédéric, cycling with his dog is the coolest way to spend and share precious time with his animal. 

Their journey made me want to try the adventure over several days with Musher! Going on a bike tour for a few days with your dog seems easy according to Frédéric. He inspired me. We will think about it! 

In the meantime, I let you discover the lovely journey of Frédéric and Nikita, a determined duo! 

Frédéric, it's up to you! Tell us everything.

Regarding the route by bike with my dog, I left on July 27, 2021 from Dompierre-sur-Besbre in theMix located in the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. I took advantage of my summer vacation to go to the town of Berck in the department Pas-de-Calais by region Hauts-de-France, where my mother resides. I met roads more or less suitable. It took me 9 days and 700 km to reach my destination with my dog. 

To organize my trip, I used a very practical application when traveling by bike, it is Geovelo. This application offers 3 types of paths for your destinations: safe, normal or fast. The safe lane made me travel 200 to 300 km more than the normal lane, but my goal was to be quiet on the road. After all it is the safety of my dog ​​and mine above all! This application favors greenways and paths for pedestrians and bicycles only… very practical! 

After 4 days of rest on Berck, I left with my dog. I chose a different route to go and I reached my home after 8 days and a little more than 700 km traveled for the return… What is really pleasant with this application, it is as I told you higher up, there are a lot of greenways or secondary roads and little used by motorized vehicles, which was very reassuring for my dog's safety.

For accommodation, I basically slept camping with my dog. I selected them day by day according to my itinerary and my physical abilities. Not knowing in the morning even if I will be able to do 50 or 100 km during the day for various reasons such as the weather, damage, breakdown... I preferred to use this technique, which for me was the most suitable for my dog and me. When I knew roughly where I was going to land, I phoned the campsite in question to find out about the availability and acceptance of my 4-legged friend of course! 😉 For Nikita to be comfortable and comfortable, I took a big cushion as a basket, which I placed in the trailer. When we stopped at night to rest and sleep, I took this cushion and placed it in my tent so that she was comfortable and had a good night's sleep!

Musher and Sophie: “With Musher, when we go to bivouac, I like that she is comfortable at night to regain her strength and feel good and in good shape the next day. So, I always plan a little material that will meet his comfort, for example a sleeping bag especially for dogs to keep them warm or a dog mat which is less bulky than its basket but just as warm and comfortable! She is almost better settled than me at night ;)”

On this trip, I didn't try any particular restaurant or dog-friendly tours because that wasn't my main goal. But concerning the campsites, I noted them all because they all accepted my dog ​​without any particular condition.

Here is the list with some special mentions for a few 😉:

• At the lightning of Bazois à Chatillon-en-Bazois in the department of Nièvre

• Campsite on the banks of the Yonne à Coulanges-sur-Yonne in the department ofYonne

• Campsite Les Confluents de Migennes à Migennes in the department ofYonne : a very warm welcome to this pretty campsite for me and my dog ​​by a couple who love animals!

• Campsite of the Swans à Amiens in the department of We Are : very welcoming campsite for our 4-legged friends!

• Campsite Chateau De Bouafles à Bouaffles in the department of Eure : a great campsite with a very nice welcome for dogs

Musher and Sophie: “To prepare for your future holidays, I invite you to discover the list of accommodations labeled QUALIDOG 100% dog-friendly who will welcome your dog with pleasure and desire! So hop, we book our accommodation and we please the whole family! ;)”

For this trip I left alone with my dog, Nikita, who will be 9 years old by the end of April. Nikita is a Malinois Belgian Shepherd that I have had since she was 3 months old. 

We are traveling with a touring bike and a trailer for my dog. The bike is equipped with front and rear panniers to carry everything that allows us to be completely independent: tent, food, clothes... The trailer is equipped with a large cushion for my comfort. dog. 

As far as learning to ride a bike for my dog, adapting to it… Well, I shared a lot with Nikita. She is part of my life. We do a lot of hiking in the mountains. She has been with me through good and bad times. And then, 3 years ago, I had to get back into sport a little more and I thought about cycling... And as I felt guilty about leaving my dog ​​alone in addition to my daily work time, I thought biking with my dog! And since I couldn't see her running 50 km alongside me, I opted for the trailer. 

I am lucky to live next to a 50 km long greenway so for learning my dog, it was PERFECT! Afterwards, I never wanted my dog ​​to obey me outright… She's more than just a dog for me, she's my friend and she's free. So sometimes when I try to have some authority over her, she kinda doesn't care lol! But it remains a Malinois shepherd so, in my eyes, a very intelligent and gifted dog! So the first 20 km were done with a little whining for her part and then she quickly got used to it. If I do a day between 60 and 90 km, she trots at her own pace, for her needs and relax between 8 and 15 km maximum.

Musher and Sophie: “Besides, if you are interested in cycling with your dog, I also invite you to discover the article by Eloïse and her two dogs who went cycling to explore Normandy! A great testimony that can also give you advice on learning, organization and also a new destination to discover while pedaling!”

The first advice I can share with you for testing the bike with your dog is to be very attentive to your surroundings. When we are driving, I am always on the lookout to see if there is not a dog or a cat or another animal that could make my dog ​​emerge from his trailer. So constant anticipation! My dog ​​is still attached inside the trailer with a seat belt type leash like in cars. We sometimes drive on the road where motorized vehicles overtake us... And I can't afford to take risks with regard to his safety and that of others. 

I, for my part, did not take out any specific insurance during my trip, but I think it could be useful. If I have an accident, I have no idea if I am covered... 

Also, I advise you to plan for your dog: water, food and first aid kit, for you but also for him. 

A typical day for us is 80 km which goes like this: a breakfast for my dog ​​and for me then 2 hours of cycling, then a small snack, another 2 hours of cycling, a small snack and another 2 hours of cycling so to reach the destination in question. And of course, this typical day can be supplemented with a few other short breaks depending on the event. 

Be careful, you have to be physically ready! And you have to remember to eat properly and daily because a cycling stage like this, over 80 km for example, with the bike, the panniers, the equipment, our dog and the trailer... it's not easy physically and you burn a lot of calories! And of course, one should not overestimate its capacities. And especially ! It remains HOLIDAYS and sharing with your dog! 😉 The Geovelo application also gives the positive and negative elevation on a route, it's really very practical because with such a weight to tow... it is impossible to climb hills even for a trained cyclist... It has sometimes happened to me, several times, having to get off and walk to push the bike and my dog ​​also walking on the side!

Musher and Sophie: “If you do not yet know how to get started in this new activity, read or reread this article: Cycling with your dog: advice and equipment. And if you want to discover another canine sport and with a bike, you can always discover cani-MTB, a great traction sport to do with your dog: Go cani-mountain biking with your dog. You will be able to know suitable equipment and this may help you get started! ;)”

💬 I'll interrupt your reading for 10 seconds, but it's for a very useful piece of information, I promise! 
Pet food, vet visits, holidays, equipment… The dog budget is becoming a real money pit, isn't it? It's unbelievable!
With Musher, we've been working for you: the Wouafer's Pass gives access to Over 30 negotiated discounts, including Corsica Ferries, Campings.com, SantéVet and dozens of discounted pet food brands 🐾 Personally, I'm going to save €344 this year… and that feels good!
I'm including the link to Wouafer's Pass here… and I'll let you continue reading

Of all my journey, I make a special mention for the Somme destination! We went along the Somme valley on the greenway which, from memory, must be more than 100 km long! It looks nice.

Musher and Sophie: “If the Somme is a destination that makes you want to explore it, then I have what you need to help you prepare for your stay! There are 3 great articles in the Mag' to prepare your holidays in the Somme with your dog! I share them with you! If you are attracted to the Bay of the Somme you will love this item! The Somme is a dog-friendly destination not to be missed for a holiday Too W'ouf! And if you don't know what activities to do in the Somme with your dog, do not panic we also have an article on this subject! 😉 So heading to the Somme?”

Traveling by bike with a large dog in my trailer, I often catch people's eyes and smiles 😉 This experience is personally rewarding for everything I share with my dog!

Here, I hope I was able to answer some of your questions, you dear Wouafer's who had read our testimony! And that you will take the leap to go on a bike ride with your dog! 

💬 I'll interrupt your reading for 10 seconds, but it's for a very useful piece of information, I promise! 
Pet food, vet visits, holidays, equipment… The dog budget is becoming a real money pit, isn't it? It's unbelievable!
With Musher, we've been working for you: the Wouafer's Pass gives access to Over 30 negotiated discounts, including Corsica Ferries, Campings.com, SantéVet and dozens of discounted pet food brands 🐾 Personally, I'm going to save €344 this year… and that feels good!
I'm including the link to Wouafer's Pass here… and I'll let you continue reading

Thank you very much Frédéric for this superb testimony! I'm sure it has helped many Wouafer's and will allow them to plan future holidays with their dogs! In any case, just reading your testimony I have lots of new projects in mind with Musher! I thank you for all these precisions and these very precious advices as well as for your pretty photos of your magnificent duo! See you soon for new adventures with Nikita!!