Touring with a big dog
06-09-18 | 04:25 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,921
Likes: 1,243
From: Montreal Canada
Hey no problem Lew. I like coming on here just to chat bike stuff and have gotten all kinds of good advice here and tips from others. Enjoy your summer and the big lug (Mr or Mrs doggie) and riding..
06-10-18 | 06:29 AM
#29
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 49
From: NB, NL
Bikes: 90's Trek 800 Sport, setup for Fully Loaded Touring
I might live in Holland, but I'm Irish so grew up with hills & mountains....and rain! And I've cycled over a few of the Alps & Pyrenees too.
You could always check out CrazyGuyOnABike for other sources of information. There's actually a "with Pets" category in Journals.
You could always check out CrazyGuyOnABike for other sources of information. There's actually a "with Pets" category in Journals.
06-11-18 | 12:52 PM
#30
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chicago SW suburbs
I might live in Holland, but I'm Irish so grew up with hills & mountains....and rain! And I've cycled over a few of the Alps & Pyrenees too.
You could always check out CrazyGuyOnABike for other sources of information. There's actually a "with Pets" category in Journals.
You could always check out CrazyGuyOnABike for other sources of information. There's actually a "with Pets" category in Journals.
06-11-18 | 09:54 PM
#31
Thread Starter
Fraser Valley Dave
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
+1 the crazyguyonabike. I recall reading of a couple who road from Banff Canada to Colorado with I believe was an Australian Cattle dog which is a medium size dog. Granted those dogs can actually walk/run 20 miles with no issues. You might also want to use booties or get what they use for sled dogs. Some kind of salve you put on their pads so they don't crack open from walking and running on hard surfaces..
Having said that, I've decided that the combination of my age, added weight since my last tours, and his 100 lbs, is just too much
for a tour of 3750 miles. The good advice I received from this site helped with my decision as well.
06-13-18 | 10:18 AM
#32
Señor Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 306
On my tour planned for this year I will miss my Golden Retriever terribly, especially when camping, but my plan (and the plan of the group I am riding part way with) includes too much daily mileage to pull a trailer. If I did not plan on longer days or going with a group, I think a trailer with a dog (sharing space with my gear) could make for some super fun times. Plus my dog would likely help pull me up the hills if I were going too slow.
Do you ride with your dog now? Dog's love nothing more than running alongside their people.
Do you ride with your dog now? Dog's love nothing more than running alongside their people.
06-13-18 | 01:20 PM
#33
Thread Starter
Fraser Valley Dave
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Fraser Valley British Columbia Canada
Bikes: devinci monaco (upgraded)
Yes, but only on dikes, little used logging and forestry roads, or open country range land.
A big concern where I live is cougars, both when I used to run long distance, and for my dog and I if running/cycling
along pathways, MB trails, or inside the forest, so I try to avoid those scenarios. Grizzlies and black bears are another
concern as well, but as long as we stay clear of the forest edges and ambush spots, the risk is very low. Riding along
busy streets is too dangerous unless the dog is leashed and trained to stay on the right of the bicycle. Having said that,
I know of riders that were pulled off their bikes by their leashed dogs suddenly stopping, or chasing after cats.
A big concern where I live is cougars, both when I used to run long distance, and for my dog and I if running/cycling
along pathways, MB trails, or inside the forest, so I try to avoid those scenarios. Grizzlies and black bears are another
concern as well, but as long as we stay clear of the forest edges and ambush spots, the risk is very low. Riding along
busy streets is too dangerous unless the dog is leashed and trained to stay on the right of the bicycle. Having said that,
I know of riders that were pulled off their bikes by their leashed dogs suddenly stopping, or chasing after cats.
06-21-18 | 07:24 PM
#34
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
A bit of history...between the years 1992 and 2006 I did an extensive amount of touring over much of the western side of North America.
I usually carried 40-55 lbs of camping related weight because of the many long distances through remote areas.
I had to give up touring because of cancer related issues but am now wishing to get back into it.
Now the question...has anyone toured long distances with a large dog? I'm assuming that when adding the weight of my lab to the
camping gear it will equal the weight of another medium sized person as dead weight. I have access to a shop and materials to make
a light but strong low center of gravity trailer equipped with a braking system. I plan on the dog walking or trotting beside me on the up
hill grades. Looking for anyone's advice that have done this before, or have cycled with over 100 lbs extra weight.
I usually carried 40-55 lbs of camping related weight because of the many long distances through remote areas.
I had to give up touring because of cancer related issues but am now wishing to get back into it.
Now the question...has anyone toured long distances with a large dog? I'm assuming that when adding the weight of my lab to the
camping gear it will equal the weight of another medium sized person as dead weight. I have access to a shop and materials to make
a light but strong low center of gravity trailer equipped with a braking system. I plan on the dog walking or trotting beside me on the up
hill grades. Looking for anyone's advice that have done this before, or have cycled with over 100 lbs extra weight.
