Bikejoring: The Thrilling Sport that Puts a Spin on biking with your dog
Have you ever been out biking with your dog and imagined soaring down a scenic trail, the wind in your face?
Maybe you’ve pictured racing alongside your dog down a hill – I certainly have.
That’s the essence of bikejoring – it’s a unique experience where your dog pulls you as you both ride along a trail and depending on your confidence, strength, and stamina of you and your dog, you can move pretty fast!
Bikejoring is an amazing sport, but it does require some training, effective communication, teamwork, and a few items that are made specifically for bikejoring and pulling.
At its core, bikejoring is a dryland exercise initially used by mushers to keep their sled dogs in shape during their off months, but its popularity has really grown, and now it’s a sport all on its own!
Let’s look at some of the equipment you will need.
Bike: The most popular terrains for bikejoring are dirt roads, gravel trails, and hiking paths. I would opt for a mountain bike, or a gravel bike with aggressive tires.
Dog Harness: look for a well-fitting, padded harness designed for pulling. You can get a fitted harness or one that can be adjusted. I always prefer the measured /custom harnesses, it’s a little more work ( measuring), but it’s made with your dog in mind, Nahak is a Canadian company that makes great equipment, and the shipping is pretty fast. Having a good harness makes it more comfortable for your dog, remember they are pulling you and the bike so the less discomfort they feel the stronger and faster they will pull.
Bikejoring Bungee and extension: Using a regular leash or rope isn’t ideal; you need a shock-absorbent bungee line to connect you to your dog. This will help take some of the tension off when they initially take off and while they are pulling.
Bike Leash Attachment: Keeping the bungee line out of the way is paramount. you do not want to worry about the bungee line getting stuck around your tire, There are a few different ways to accomplish this, but the easiest/best way, in my opinion, is getting a S/line attachment by Signelp, which effectively holds the line up in the air and is clear of my bike’s components. The kit includes installation instructions and you can get a quick-release option to remove the antenna when you don’t need it.
Safety Gear: ** Just as you would gear up for any biking adventure in the woods, ensure you have your helmet, lights, reflective gear, hunter’s orange with reflecting material, and bear bells.
Taking the time to learn the basics without your bike is beneficial for both of you, Canicross is a great introduction to harness sports
It’s more work in the beginning but you don’t have a bike to worry about, plus you are moving slower, and if needed you have an easier time grabbing your bungee line.
overall canicross is a more forgiving way to learn the basics before attaching yourself to a dog.
The basics
Communication: Knowing how to convey commands to your dog eliminates the guesswork. some basic commands, “Woah,” “Go,” “Left (haw),” and “Right (gee)”.
Equipment: Having a good harness for your dog is a must. Depending on your dog, they might not like to have something on their back, so you may need to gradually introduce your dog to the equipment, so they can become comfortable and familiar with it.
Distances: Start with short and controlled rides on flat terrain to help your dog grow accustomed to the bike being behind them and them now pulling you.
As you progress, gradually increase distances and intensity, keep in mind what realistically your dog is physically capable of doing.
Make sure to combine bikejoring with lots of rest days and other activities that will keep them in shape.
Treats: When you’re finished, consider giving your dog some bone broth, and healthy treats. This is a great way to end on a positive for the dog.
- Try not to give them too much food/treats/bone broth or water immediately after finishing any physical activity, having a quick drink is ok, but having too much too quick can cause your dog to have some stomach issues. Giving it to them slowly and spanning it out is ok.
Bikejoring is a great way to exercise. It’s an amazing cardiovascular workout for both you and your dog, and it’s a great way to build a bond with your dog.
At Central Alberta DogRunners, We are dedicated to supporting your Canicross ,Canihiking, Bikejoring, Skijoring and dog powered harness sports endeavors. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned athlete, we offer a range of training materials, online courses, online or printed books, and expertly crafted training plans that help you reach your goals. Our resources are designed to help you and your dog reach new heights in any harness sport that you choose.
Gear up, hit the trails, and let the spirit of harness sports lead the way. Explore our online or in-person courses, and discover our tailored training plans to take your journey to the next level.
If you are looking for more in-depth training for Dog Powered sports such as Canicross, Bikejor, Skijor, or Scooter please see our stan Store for online training. https://stan.store/CADR
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