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My dog and my cargo bike

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My dog and my cargo bike

Old 04-07-15, 06:08 PM
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My dog and my cargo bike

My first post on this forum. I love biking - and I'm mainly a mountain biker (Yeti Full suspension) - which I pretty much ride everywhere. My dog is getting old and can't really keep up. His best friend passed away and I wanted to take him more places since he's alone. Cargo bikes caught my attention, so I bought a used one from Craigslist. It was built well, but the components needed help. New rear derailleur, brake/shifters, bottom bracket, and re-cabling job. My dog loves it!

I had bought a used trailer from Goodwill, but wasn't too crazy about it. You can't keep an eye on them and constantly have to look back. But with this cargo bike, I can keep an eye on him at all times. Here is my YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/zEY7LmnY23E Let me know your thoughts!

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Old 04-07-15, 06:16 PM
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OK, this is just cute.

I have a tiny dog who rides in a basket when the weather is nice.
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Old 04-07-15, 06:29 PM
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I wish I could get away with a front basket! But Ollie is too big at 45 lbs for a basket.
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Old 04-07-15, 10:04 PM
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Very well done! Both the dog accommodation and the video. A friend of mine is touring with his dog on a Yuba Mundo. His FB page is "Wheres Bixby" which he posts as the dog. Currently in SoCal.
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Old 04-07-15, 10:50 PM
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Very nice.

Keith
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Old 04-08-15, 10:47 AM
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That..... was freaking awesome!
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Old 04-08-15, 11:31 AM
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Thanks everyone! I appreciate it!

And I Googled "where's Bixby". Cool dog and bicycle! Thanks for sharing.
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Old 04-08-15, 12:51 PM
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Great video.

I've thought about getting a greyhound... and just making it run. But I can foresee the problem as the dog ages.

I'm working on rebuilding a home-bult longnose cargo bike, but hadn't thought of it as a dog hauler.

I'd probably leave the leash off once everyone gets comfortable with the bike. You seem to sop quickly if the dog jumps out, but it just seems like it would be safer to not have the leash.
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Old 04-08-15, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
Great video.

I'd probably leave the leash off once everyone gets comfortable with the bike. You seem to sop quickly if the dog jumps out, but it just seems like it would be safer to not have the leash.
Depending on how well a dog is trained, it may be beneficial to go without a leash during certain instances. This also depends on where you're riding. If you ride in busy streets, I highly advise anyone to use the leash! You never know what's gonna spook your dog. A car's backfire, fire engine sirens, a loud Harley, another animal, etc. can cause him to get spooked and run into traffic.

Also, I often give small tugs on the leash to snap him out of a fixation. He may fixate on another dog crossing the street, so I just give the leash a little tug and he snaps out of it. Ollie is very well behaved, but he still has his moments. The last jump off the bike on the video (on the Santa Monica boardwalk) could have been pretty dangerous if a speeding cyclist was passing me. We both got lucky. Since then, I've learned to read his body language better and we haven't had any other incidents.
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Old 04-08-15, 01:28 PM
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Mom has a shock collar that she uses with the dog at times.

Just put the collar on, and it is amazing how well he behaves.
And the simple beep is apparently very good at catching his attention.

But, it sounds like you've only been doing this for a shot time. You'll have to get your feel for it long-term. Also it may depend on whether you're always riding on the flats, or if you are pushing 20+ mph on the hills.
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Old 04-08-15, 03:28 PM
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Old 04-09-15, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
Mom has a shock collar that she uses with the dog at times.

Just put the collar on, and it is amazing how well he behaves.
And the simple beep is apparently very good at catching his attention.

But, it sounds like you've only been doing this for a shot time. You'll have to get your feel for it long-term. Also it may depend on whether you're always riding on the flats, or if you are pushing 20+ mph on the hills.
I never tried a shock collar. Glad to hear it works for you guys. Ollie and I are definitely still new to the rides. Just like a kid learning to ride a bike, he gets better with practice. We only go on pleasure rides. A cargo bike is big, heavy and difficult to maneuver. I highly doubt I'll be hitting 20+ mph on it. 8-15 mph appears to be our average so far.
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Old 04-10-15, 01:12 PM
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Now You need to find a Girlfriend that likes being Chauffeured that way


Looks pretty Flat There .

Last edited by fietsbob; 04-10-15 at 01:27 PM.
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Old 04-10-15, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Now You need to find a Girlfriend that likes being Chauffeured that way


Looks pretty Flat There .
Hell no! If she's got legs, she has to peddle her own way!
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Old 04-10-15, 03:39 PM
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One of my friends long ago, got a cute picture taken, kissing his GF while riding his cargo bike, she kneeling in the cargo space ..
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Old 04-10-15, 07:01 PM
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Fabulous!
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Old 04-11-15, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by howardv
Hell no! If she's got legs, she has to peddle her own way!
Perhaps that should go for the dog too.

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Old 04-11-15, 02:01 PM
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I see Ollie has trained you well!

I was looking at your pic and then the beginning of the video, and thinking, some kind of box with low walls would be better than just the flat platform... Sure enough, it didn't take long for that to appear. Congrats, and enjoy the rides!

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Old 04-12-15, 01:51 PM
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Enjoyed watching the video! Great to see you including the dog in your lives like that. Awesome!

We have two Jack Russells, where even with leashes I couldn't trust them not to bolt after a cat, dog or squirrel. Their prey drive is too strong. This is how we cart them around ... and they're tethered in so they can't jump out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxsXzBp3dlg
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Old 05-08-15, 03:49 AM
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Loved that video. I am just starting to ride with our 4 year old Afghan hound but he is too active to sit in a box so he trots along side my bike while I ride one handed, his long lead in the other. It's a little dangerous but he's taken to it quite well and we don't ride in congested areas or where there's any traffic. The Santa Monica area looks super busy but some of the scenery is awesome. Very heart warming story and your dog obviously enjoys it.
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Old 05-09-15, 11:41 AM
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Hi DBrown, I appreciate the PM, but couldn't respond since I have less than 50 posts (won't allow me to send a PM). I used to trot with Ollie and his sister (a black lab) when they were young. They loved running next to the bike. I kept the leash in one hand. I used to keep a regular length leash. I was worried about a long leash as they would get ahead of me and cross over. With a shorter leash, I had better control and made sure they always stayed by my side and not ahead. We sometimes rode on the side walk and sometimes on the street. Really depended on the conditions. Common sense is the best rule. There is always a risk, but the benefits far outweigh it. A dog would much rather be outdoors enjoying running/trotting than sitting at home!

Thanks for the kind words!
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Old 05-09-15, 11:44 AM
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A very nice video to enjoy with morning coffee.
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Old 05-11-15, 07:06 PM
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I've been away from Bike Forums for a long time and your video is the first thing I click on upon my return. Needless to say I loved it, even more so because you're pedaling around in my hometown of Venice. I miss the beach. Ollie looks like he's adapting very well. How fun for both of you! Pepper, my Havanese, rides around in a front basket, but he would LOVE a cargo bike with a big box bed.

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Old 05-13-15, 11:18 AM
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Aw man, that's awesome!! I'd love if I could take my cat with me like that, but he'll probably freak out (he doesn't even like the car).
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Old 05-13-15, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Cyclepup
I've been away from Bike Forums for a long time and your video is the first thing I click on upon my return. Needless to say I loved it, even more so because you're pedaling around in my hometown of Venice. I miss the beach. Ollie looks like he's adapting very well. How fun for both of you! Pepper, my Havanese, rides around in a front basket, but he would LOVE a cargo bike with a big box bed.
Actually, I can only wish Ollie was small enough to fit in a basket. That would make life a lot easier on me. Cargo bike is large and much harder to maneuver, specially around traffic. My bike weighs around 80-100 lbs, and Ollie weighs 45 lbs. I get a good work out even on a flat terrain! Pepper looks like he's got it made in that perfect basket!

Originally Posted by RuralJuror
Aw man, that's awesome!! I'd love if I could take my cat with me like that, but he'll probably freak out (he doesn't even like the car).
Hahaha. Ya, somehow I can't see taking a cat on a bike ride.
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