W
Will Cove
Guest
Mark Thompson wrote:
> Hey, hows about posting a ride report? I'm sure someone could lend
> you a bike.
To be honest, nothing much to report. Although both my bikes are basic,
they are adequate for my level of recreational riding. In my youth I used
to go touring each year (up to a thousand miles in a fortnight with
overnight stops at campsites or youth hostels). However, having spent over
half a century on this planet, I tend to take it easier these days.
The last time out (Sunday) was only about twelve miles on the quieter
branch of the Camel trail between the Borough Arms, Bodmin and the end of
the new extension at Wenford. My wife and I had our dog (a labrador) with
us, so we didn't really get up to speed and hence the short trip. This was
the first time we'd taken the dog with us on a cycle trail and we wanted to
try a reasonably quiet route to check she was OK with other cyclists,
pedestrians, and dogs.
We set out at about 1:30 pm. At first, the dog was a little skittish but
soon settled down to a comfortable trot behind me and in front of my wife.
We found that formation was the best because the dog kept running around me
and getting perilously close to my front wheel unless I took the front. We
made frequent stops - mainly to give the dog a drink but also to admire
views of the river Camel in full spate. Between us, we used two bottles of
water - with the dog consuming (or rather, spilling) most of that. (Note to
self: take plastic dog bowl next time!) Our average speed was a pitiful 5-
ish mph, which was about as fast as our dog could comfortably go. The Camel
Trail between the Borough Arms and Wenford had a good covering of mud and
wet leaves in places - so the surface was a little slippery and I was glad
of the excuse to go slowly. We got back to the Borough Arms just before
dark and had an excellent meal there, with the staff taking pity on the dog
and feeding her scraps from the carvery!
Overall, the trip was a success. After half a mile or so, the dog settled
down nicely and kept up a steady pace. When we came to road crossings, she
answered the recall immediately and happily walked alongside me on-lead
without pulling. However, the sort of ride I normally do (twenty to thirty
mile round trip) would be too much for her. My wife suggested we consider a
trailer so that the dog could ride when we wanted to push on, use shared
roads, or undertake longer trips. (Guess who'd be pulling the trailer!)
Weather permitting, we're taking the dog out again this weekend - but it'll
be a shorter trip with the emphasis on working with the dog. The aim is to
have her off the lead and properly under control at all times by the summer
so that we can take the bikes, dog, and caravan to explore trails further
afield.
So, does anyone else take their dog cycling? Does anyone use a trailer as a
pet carrier? Any tips for cycling with dogs?
> Hey, hows about posting a ride report? I'm sure someone could lend
> you a bike.
To be honest, nothing much to report. Although both my bikes are basic,
they are adequate for my level of recreational riding. In my youth I used
to go touring each year (up to a thousand miles in a fortnight with
overnight stops at campsites or youth hostels). However, having spent over
half a century on this planet, I tend to take it easier these days.
The last time out (Sunday) was only about twelve miles on the quieter
branch of the Camel trail between the Borough Arms, Bodmin and the end of
the new extension at Wenford. My wife and I had our dog (a labrador) with
us, so we didn't really get up to speed and hence the short trip. This was
the first time we'd taken the dog with us on a cycle trail and we wanted to
try a reasonably quiet route to check she was OK with other cyclists,
pedestrians, and dogs.
We set out at about 1:30 pm. At first, the dog was a little skittish but
soon settled down to a comfortable trot behind me and in front of my wife.
We found that formation was the best because the dog kept running around me
and getting perilously close to my front wheel unless I took the front. We
made frequent stops - mainly to give the dog a drink but also to admire
views of the river Camel in full spate. Between us, we used two bottles of
water - with the dog consuming (or rather, spilling) most of that. (Note to
self: take plastic dog bowl next time!) Our average speed was a pitiful 5-
ish mph, which was about as fast as our dog could comfortably go. The Camel
Trail between the Borough Arms and Wenford had a good covering of mud and
wet leaves in places - so the surface was a little slippery and I was glad
of the excuse to go slowly. We got back to the Borough Arms just before
dark and had an excellent meal there, with the staff taking pity on the dog
and feeding her scraps from the carvery!
Overall, the trip was a success. After half a mile or so, the dog settled
down nicely and kept up a steady pace. When we came to road crossings, she
answered the recall immediately and happily walked alongside me on-lead
without pulling. However, the sort of ride I normally do (twenty to thirty
mile round trip) would be too much for her. My wife suggested we consider a
trailer so that the dog could ride when we wanted to push on, use shared
roads, or undertake longer trips. (Guess who'd be pulling the trailer!)
Weather permitting, we're taking the dog out again this weekend - but it'll
be a shorter trip with the emphasis on working with the dog. The aim is to
have her off the lead and properly under control at all times by the summer
so that we can take the bikes, dog, and caravan to explore trails further
afield.
So, does anyone else take their dog cycling? Does anyone use a trailer as a
pet carrier? Any tips for cycling with dogs?
