Cycling with your dog, is it possible? How to ride a bike with your dog? Where to cycle with your dog? What equipment should you use to ride a bike with your dog?

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The weather is nice and you want to enjoy the day with your pooch? Don't fancy a simple ride? Don't feel like throwing his ball at him fifty times in a row? Do you want change? Ride a bike together!

Bike? Dog? Is it well compatible?

Cyclists who have already had their calf pinched on their bike are not uncommon… Before mounting your “little queen”, make sure that your dog is not allergic to cycling. If in the presence of a bicycle, he barks, rushes at it, tries to bite the front tire to prevent you from moving forward or grab your pants… that's a typical case of a serious allergy! Where is she from? It is very likely that your dog has not been around a bike from an early age. It is very important, in the phase of socialization to the world around him, to quickly put him in contact with a bicycle. It will prevent allergies! Before leaving for miles, you will have to make sure that your dog likes bicycles.

Why ride a bike with your dog?

This is an opportunity to combine outing and sport for both of you. You can share your passion for cycling with your pooch. Sporty dogs who need to exercise will love running alongside you. The less sporty can also accompany you during your outing. It will be all the more sporty for you 😉 I tell you everything, a little later in this article.

It is also the possibility of doing a few more kilometers. Be careful, for your dog, running alongside you for several kilometers requires a minimum of training! If the latter is not used to it, plan the first short outings and drive at a slow pace. As you train, you can increase the distance or pace, if your dog enjoys cycling.

Want to get straight to the point? Here's a super concise page with the most important advice and essential equipment for cycling with your dog , whatever its size.

Cycling with your free dog

The easiest way to ride a bike with your dog is to let him run free alongside you. This means riding a bike in a safe place, without the risk of crossing a car, for example, and that your dog has a great recall and obeys your commands.

Musher often accompanies me on the loose. She's a hell of a foodie: she never misses a nasty thing lying around on the way. Not easy to intervene from my bike. By the time I turn around, pedal, get off the bike trying to put it down as little wildly as possible, the spitting thing is often already swallowed! I taught him to always stay to my left at my height, like when walking on a leash. So if we pass a car, I go to the left of the road and am therefore between it and the car. It's more secure. It also allows you to avoid accidents because if your dog passes in front of your bike, you have to have very good reflexes to brake in time and not hit him (very very dangerous and traumatic for him). During an emergency braking of this kind, also be careful not to make the “sun” above your bike. Musher also learned to stop, left, right and for you. Basic orders that allow us to share a good time together (which she learned thanks to cani-cross).

Cycling with your dog attached

Do you cycle in an area with some traffic or pedestrians? There's a very simple solution to keep your dog safe: the tow bar and its towline . Behind this somewhat unusual name lies a clever tool that allows you to connect your dog to your bicycle. No more wrapping the leash around your wrist; the slightest movement from your dog could lead to a fall! (And believe me, I know from experience.) The kit allows you to keep your dog on the left (or right, depending on your preference) side of your bike. It consists of a rigid mounting bar to which a short leash is attached. Secured this way, your dog cannot go behind or in front of your bike, preventing falls or accidents. Your dog must wear a harness. It's impossible to attach it by its collar. If your dog pulls, veers off course, or stops suddenly, the collar could come loose and seriously injure it.

I have not tested this pull-up bar and its line with Musher. This accessory is perfect for dogs who love to pull. Which is not the case with Musher! Your dog will not be well positioned to run and he risks getting injured. If he has the "will to go" as the mushers say (not my dog, but the sled dog drivers!), it is better to go cani-mountain biking with him. The attachment system is at the front of the bike. It is designed for this. If your dog is like Musher, choose the Pet Ego kit. In general, it attaches very easily to the bike. During a test with Musher, I placed it under my saddle, in 4 turns of a 12 wrench it was installed. For those who do not have a toolbox, it can be complicated because there are no tools provided in the kit. In the box, there are 4 screws, the fixing bar on which is connected a short adjustable leash and a piece of rubber to ensure better grip between the bar and the seat post. I fixed the bar perpendicular to my bike but it bothered me; my left leg rubbed against it. So I oriented it slightly towards the back of the bike. I opted for a first ride on tracks between the vines… The idea was average. I didn't anticipate that the bike + the kit + Musher; we were quite wide and that we needed wide paths. Musher doesn't tow so this kit played its role perfectly. She couldn't eat any nasty stuff during the whole ride… wink

Cycling with your dog in a basket

Let me tell you right now, this is only suitable for small dogs! No way I'm putting Musher in the basket on the front of the bike… So I tested the dog basket with a “small” dog. My friend Noémie currently has a litter of 2-month-old Landseer puppies. Ten adorable little ones! I packed Neiko and off we went on our adventure. There are two types of dog baskets: the one that attaches to the back and the one that attaches to the handlebars.

The basket is in kit form but it is easy to assemble; just slide the 5 rigid boards into the compartments provided and form a kind of box. I admit that I had to ask my man for a hand to insert the last plate because she resisted me. The bottom plate is reinforced with a softer layer for the comfort of the dog. Then you have to fix the basket on the bike. Again, it's super simple. In 2 turns of the screwdriver it's settled. Small flat, the support is pressed on the frame of the bike, below the handlebars. Given its positioning, it stretched my brake cable slightly and exerted pressure. It hardened my bike outing a bit 🙂 It's good for the calves. It surely depends on the bike... To prevent the basket from jumping at each hole or bump, there are 2 clips that allow it to be strapped to the handlebars. When the ride is over, all you have to do is remove the basket, the support will remain in place for the next ones! Super practical.

At the bottom of the basket, there is an adjustable strap that allows the dog's collar to be attached. This prevents the dog from being tempted to run away from the basket. It is very useful at least for the first walks because your dog is at a height, it may seem unstable to him, he may not be very reassured and have a bad reflex, that of jumping!… On the practical side, there are plenty pockets all around the basket. Something to store the leash, the purse, the waste bags... Be careful not to put too much on because it can quickly unbalance you! The maximum weight accepted in the basket is 7 kilos! The first meters, I was not very stable on the bike and when Neiko changed places in the basket, it was the same. But we get used to it quickly! Note that 7 extra pounds to drag on the bike, that's the calves!  

The dog basket is ideal for puppies who, being still growing, can't go on long walks. It's also perfect for older small dogs who can no longer keep up with you, allowing you to share a fun activity together. And of course, it's ideal for all small, non-athletic dogs!

For large dogs, there's also a "basket" for taking them cycling. I hope to have the opportunity to test a dog trailer soon so I can tell you more about it, and Musher will too. To be continued…

Little info on Neiko: it is a landseer. In the following photos, I added photos of his mom and his brothers and sister. Inna, the mom, is a rescue buddy of Musher. They train together.

Dog on Skype Emoticons 1.2 Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “You don't know which material to choose? Do not panic ! Our comparison lists the top 5 best dog bike baskets and trailers ! "

For a successful bike ride

Cycling is great, but it requires a little preparation… Remember to bring a bowl and water for your dog. Be careful, if he's going to be running a lot, give him small sips even if he's extremely thirsty. Large dogs are prone to bloat (gastric torsion). Drinking a large amount of water before, during, or just after strenuous exercise can have serious consequences. Your dog has the right to drink and needs to drink, but not three liters if he's just done intense exercise! Also, be mindful of the surfaces on your route: running on asphalt can quickly make their paws hot! Of course, set off with your first-aid kit and a bike repair kit… 😉 Also, remember to bring some spare parts in case of a breakdown on your bike.

And if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there are plenty of sports to discover: Canicross or cani-trail running – running with your dog , try canyoning with your canine companion! … I'm sure one of them is perfect for you! In France, we're fortunate to have such diverse landscapes, offering countless opportunities to enjoy life with your dog! From the Jura Mountains to the beaches of Brittany or the shores of Lake Bourget , there are so many beautiful destinations to explore for a holiday with your canine companion!

Bonus: a 100% bike and dog itinerary

Do you love cycling with your dog so much that you want to do it for several days? It's perfect, start with a weekend to discover the Somme by bike thanks to our itinerary! All recommended activities and restaurants are accessible to dogs. Let's go, full throttle!

cycling weekend in the Somme suitable for dogs
Full throttle on the towpath in the Somme

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