Not2worried

Just wondering those that bike with your dog, how are you doing it?
I have a younger, very high energy dog I'm trying to burn up some of that energy. Currently I do leash in across the handlebar.
Is there a better way?

Iride01 

Most of the people here pull them in one of those trailers that they make for kids. The other day I was surprised to actually pass someone pulling a trailer and it actually had a kid inside instead of the usual dogs I'd been seeing.

Something like this.....

Otherwise you'll tire your dog out way before you tire yourself out. Unless you haven't learned what your all day riding pace is.

Probably not a good idea to have a dog following you unleashed, unless you truly are out in the open road with little traffic. And on a MUP, most require a 4' leash. Don't think I'd cycle with a dog on a leash connected to my bike.

Therefore, the trailers make the most sense. What to do about your dogs excess energy? Don't know.

Eric F 

Riding with a leash attached to your handlebars is a recipe for disaster.

AdkMtnMonster

It’s kind of hard to believe, but there are some humans left on this Earth that do not dwell or reside in urban environments. Some live in what you would probably refer to as frighteningly primitive wilderness, where there are no traffic lights, coffee shops or mega malls. In these areas it’s great to ride with your dog(s), as long as you can get them to pedal. If not, a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute can go longer than most people can endure. Great breeds for mountain biking buddies. Thumbs (and dew claws) up!!!

Rick

There are dog bike leashes so you can have your hands free.

katsup

Most people I see are just holding the leash with 1 hand while riding. I've seen dogs run in the front wheel or pull the owner in one direction with this setup.

They make a special attachment to hold the leash on your seat post. This is the best way as the dog can't run in front of the wheel and will have some resistance if they pull (instead of turning your handlebar).

AdkMtnMonster

You have to be smarter than the dog(s). (That’s why most people can’t ride with dogs.)

msu2001la

Dogs make for good CX practice companions in parks. Bring a few tennis balls and use one of those long chuck-it things to pick it up and throw it while riding your bike around chasing him.

Good way to wear the dog out and work on some bike handling skills, sprinting, etc.

themp

On our local MUP a guy has a recumbent trike with a basket on the back. His two small dogs sit in the basket and watch the world go by. When he stops for a break he walks them on a leash for some exercise. The dogs are well known on this MUP.

indyfabz

Attach the leash to your earlobe. Good motivation to keep up with the dog.

70sSanO

Actually our dog is dead. Our daughter had him cremated. I guess I could get a larger under saddle bag.

John

fredlord

I'm a dog lover who had the misfortune of seeing a gorgeous fox terrier be run over and grievously injured by its cycling owner while doing the bike-leash thing. Not a fan.

There's an ancient man who frequents my local paths in inner Sydney who cycles along slowly with a pony on a leash. I've got no issue with that.

zandoval 

Having been one of those guys that nearly killed his dog, riding as a kid, I would be very selective in doing it.

Even if I had the right dog I would probably not run the dog farther than I personally could not run.

Knew a guy who used to take his dog out when he was ridding his horse. He said he knew things were good as long as the dog stayed out in front of the horse, but when the dog started to breath heavy or drop behind it was time to stop, check him, and carry him in. It would be kinda hard to do this on a leash. Yep... riding a bike with a dog could be very dangerous for both parties but I'm not saying it could not be done safely...

Not2worried

I just have have the leash across the the handlebars, then grab the lease. Yeah, no way I'm wrapping that leash around my handlebars. Might as well update my will before I ride!
He's a mutt with like 4 working breeds built into him. He gets at least a daily 2 mile walk in am and sometimes 1 mile in evening. But taking him rollerblading and biking helps take some of the high energy out of him, plus time saving.
As he gets older, I'm sure he will mellow out, right?
Might stick to more rollerblading and other activities. Safety is my main concern.

rosefarts

The mountain bike trails around here are utterly empty during the week. I'd be lucky to see 2 people in 2 hours. Great trails for the dog to run and a reservoir for her jump in.

Can't do it on the weekend, too many people.

Usually though, my wife takes her running around the same place and when she gets back, I go mountain biking. The pooch likes running with my wife more than following a mountain bike, it's slower and she can sniff and explore more.

I'd you're not in a crowd, it's great.

Backcountry skiing gets a little tricky if it involves deep powder.

Korina

Not2worried I did an Amazon search for "dog bike leash". Here are the results. There are a variety of options.

Not2worried

That was helpful thanks.
I think I will do more training with him first and then move over to one of those setup.

epnnf

tie leash to handlebar? Good way to crash/kill your dog

Not2worried

No, just laying across with me holding it. But I don't care for it.

Korina

Not2worried happy to help.

rsbob 

Riding with a dog on a leash is a dicey proposition unless your dog is well trained to run in a ‘heal’, right at your side.

I trained my dogs to heal when walking and then transferred it to cycling. It worked really well unless there was a SQUIRREL then all bets were off.

If you have earthen trails in the woods available, then you may be able to take your dog off leash and have it run behind you. I have had great success mtn biking with my dogs, but I trained them to run behind me except for one which was very bright and would consistently stay 50’ ahead of me regardless of speed. That was one amazing dog that is still greatly missed.

Good luck.

SkinGriz

When I was a teenager I had a stocky Border Collie mix. I rode with her leashed to my handlebars. Very rural environment riding on canal banks. She never caused me to crash.

She could PULL! At that time I topped out at 29mph on a bmx bike and there were times when it seemed she was pulling me a little faster than I could pedal.

I have no idea what the top speed of a dog is so it could have just been perception, but I remember being awe struck at our speed.

I don’t know that I would take the same risk as a full adult with responsibilities.

SkinGriz

Background info.

She was an abnormally aware dog. Very smart. She was never leashed when we went on walks. She would just kind of range a little bit like a hunting dog and come back over and over.

So I guess another thing is it probably depends on the dog.