ON YOUR BIKE

If you’re a keen off-road cyclist and you’ve never taken your dog on a bike ride with you, you might be missing out on an easy way to exercise your dog – depending on the kind of dog it is – and a bonding experience for you both. The experts at Hunt Bike Wheels offer their tips for canine cycling safely.

1. Get them used to the bike: This might mean spending time in your garden on some basic training exercises before you go out. Plus, you’ll need to build your speed and distance gradually to get them used to their new exercise regime.

2. Teach them some basic commands: ‘Slow’, ‘left’, ‘right’, and ‘stop’ are four commands that your dog should be able to reliably follow before heading out on a ride with you. Taking your dog out before they can respond correctly to them could make your outings riskier so take the time to do this properly.

3. Match your trail to your dog: Large energetic breeds such as huskies, golden retrievers, Labradors, and border collies are well suited to mountain biking, while smaller dogs, older pets, or short-nosed breeds would struggle. It’s a good idea to always consult your dog’s vet before cycling to check that the activity is safe.

4. Choose how to travel: For off-road cycling, it’s usually best to have your dog on a bicycle lead and a specially designed bike lead attachment. If your dog isn’t suited to running alongside you, then you could consider a bike basket or a trailer, but these should only be used for more casual rides around your neighbourhood or in the local park rather than high-intensity rides.

5. Invest in the right gear: In addition to a specially designed bike lead and attachment, it’s a good idea to clip the lead to your dog using a harness. This can be safer and more comfortable for their back and neck than a collar as they run alongside you. If possible, try to get a reflective harness that will make your dog easier to spot, especially as passing cyclists may not be aware that they need to watch out for your four-legged friend too.

To find out more, please visit huntbikewheels.com.