[Laneco]

I've had a couple of border collies that we biked with. The training process is pretty important. They have to run ahead or behind on single track. If they are ahead, they need to know what "look out!" means (move NOW) and "DOWN" which means plant yer ass in the dirt this second. Needs to be a good natured dog because you will come up on hikers, etc.

I only did this in pretty secluded areas with good visibility. Even a nice dog will startle a horse bad enough to dump a rider. The collies were good for a 15 or so mile fairly slow ride. They can really rip down hill though! Bring water and stop often.

We all need to be good to each other - and that means making sure you don't hurt someone else or you dog. I've trained dogs to walk/jog beside the bike for dirt roads/double track and I've taken leashed dogs on the bike path with my bike. I used to have this u-shaped spring loaded thing that I attached to my bike to help us get over the learning curve. Your dog will take you out from the side, so I have always felt that beside me was more dangerous than behind/ahead. If they are ahead, sure, I can run into them, but I've got more reaction time before I make contact!

If the weather isn't too warm and the breed is a good runner, they do like this a lot. Not for every dog, not for every dog-owner, and certainly only in places where you aren't causing someone else issues.

angela