Not a long time ago, I was looking for an activity to exercise with my dog. She’s active, playful, and always ready for new adventures. While searching for the best sport to enjoy with her, I’ve recently stumbled on urban mushing. If you enjoy biking just like me and your companion is as energetic as mine, bikejoring is probably the ultimate solution to keep you both active, healthy, and happy!
What Is Bikejoring?
Bikejoring is an activity in which you’re cycling attached to your dog on cross country trails. It’s basically the same principle as for traditional mushing, but you’re on a bicycle instead of a sled. Thus, this joring sport simply consists of getting pulled by your dog while you’re riding on your bike.
Here’s an excellent video to show what bikejoring looks like in action!
To enjoy bikejoring together, you must be well-prepared for an intense workout. From gearing up properly to training passing by physical conditioning; there’s a lot of things you should know before heading out on trails with your dog. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you understand everything you need to get started with this awesome sport!
More Information About Bikejoring.
First of all, let me share with you a little bit of information about the bikejoring origins. This intense activity was originally developed from skijoring and dogsled racing to keep mushing dogs active and train them during the off-season on dryland. Nowadays, this joring sport is generally practiced for pleasure but there are also some competitions for professional athletes.
At this point, you probably have several other questions about bikejoring if you would like to ride alongside your dog. Can anybody enjoy this sport safely? Is my dog fast or healthy enough for pulling my bike? What equipment do I need to get started? […] To help you out, let me share with you all the information I’ve learned and found about urban mushing!
How To Start Bikejoring With Your Dog?
The first thing you should understand is that preparation is the key to begin any new sport. That’s why you must be ready to put in some time, energy, and money to bike with your dog on trails. If you’re ready to make that investment, you will eventually be able to share unforgettable outdoor adventures and memories together. So let’s see what you need to get started!
Is Your Dog Suitable For Bikejoring?
Before anything else, you should make sure your dog can do this type of vigorous activity safely. His breed, health, age, size, and many other conditions will determine if he’s ready for bikejoring. Even if there’s nearly always a solution to adapt this joring sport for his needs, some companions such as Bulldogs or Chihuahuas are simply not suitable for such an intense physical effort.
In general, you shouldn’t have any issue riding with him as long as he’s in good shape and enjoys running. However, I still highly recommend you talk with your vet to make sure it’s OK for him to pull you and your bike on trails!
Bikejoring Setup & Equipment.
Once you’re sure everyone can enjoy urban mushing safely, it’s time to gear up. The first thing you should have for this sport is an appropriate bike. Then, you will also need some other equipment to connect your dog and your bicycle together. Here’s my list of the essentials to get started with bikejoring.
Bikejoring Gear List.
- Cycling Protection Gear. (Helmet, Goggles, Gloves, Etc.)
- Bike.
- Dog Harness.
- Tow Line.
- Bike Attachment.
- Doggie Boots or Protection Paw Wax.
Protection Gear:
Let’s be honest, biking on rough terrain isn’t the safest activity. That’s why it’s so important to take as many precautions as possible to prevent accidents and injuries.
Wearing your helmet, goggles, gloves, and other safety equipment should be an automatism as soon as you prepare yourself for any type of biking adventure.
Bike:
For choosing the perfect bicycle for bikejoring, there are many components to consider. You should look for good brakes, tires, suspension, and maneuverability for optimal control while riding with your dog. Thus, mountain bikes are generally the best option to roll on cross country trails!
Harness:
Standard dog collars aren’t suitable for bikejoring. Some harnesses are designed specifically to provide your buddy with optimal support for pulling performance. Furthermore, he will need to wear something comfortable and lightweight to perform as well as possible at urban mushing.
Tow-Line:
This is the leash that will connect your dog to your bike. Therefore, it’s an essential piece of equipment for any joring sport.
For optimal comfort and performance, you should choose a tow-line that’s elastic to absorb shocks and make pulling easier for your dog. It should also be long enough to have a safe distance between you two on bikejoring adventures.
Bikejoring Antenna:
Without any attachment on the bike, the leash could easily get stuck in the front wheel. The antenna is a metal extension that you attach to the headtube for keeping the line away from the tires. This simple accessory is essential to prevent accidents while riding on trails with your dog!
Learn more about the ultimate Bikejoring attachment setup!
Dog Boots or Paw Wax:
If your buddy isn’t used to running on rough terrain, his paw pads are probably fragile. To protect his feet while bikejoring, you could either invest in dog boots or wax protection for paws.
Other Optional Gear:
Apart from the essentials, there are plenty of other things you might need for urban mushing. For example, a hydration backpack or portable dog bowl could be extremely useful to keep you both hydrate on outdoor adventures. Another interesting accessory to have for biking are mirrors to see what’s behind you safely and efficiently.
Starter Kit For Bikejoring.
Finding the right gear for an activity in which you don’t have a lot of experience can be quite difficult and overwhelming. To save you time, energy, and money, I’ve put together the ultimate beginner setup for bikejoring. From the mountain bike to the dog boots, here are my gear recommendations to enjoy urban mushing!
- Diamondback Hardtail Mountain Bike.
- Non-Stop Dogwear Bikejoring Antenna.
- Freemotion Dog Joring Harness.
- Neewa Bikejoring Tug-Line.
- Grip Trex Dog Boots or Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Wax.
- Safety Biking Gear. (Helmet + Gloves + Goggles)
Training & Preparation For Urban Mushing.
Once you have all the equipment you need for bikejoring, it’s time to develop your dog’s skills. Even with the right equipment, he might not be obedient enough to enjoy this type of sport safely. Furthermore, your buddy could also need some physical conditioning to make sure he’s able to keep up with your biking pace.
There are three main ways to prepare your companion for joring sports. With basic obedience training, proper socialization, and regular exercise, he should be all set to learn how to bikejor. Once he’s ready for more advanced physical activity, you can start teaching him some mushing commands on daily walks. After some practice, you should be able to head out on trails together for the first time!
Bikejoring Commands.
To get started you don’t need to know all the mushing voice cues out there. However, letting your dog lead you on rough bike paths without any effective way to communicate isn’t safe at all. That’s why it’s highly recommended to master some basic joring commands before cycling together.
Fundamental Voice Cues For Urban Mushing!
- Go, Hike, or Mush. (To Start)
- Stop or Whoa. (For Complete Stop)
- Easy or Slow Down. (To Decrease The Speed)
- Right or Gee.
- Left or Haw.
- Straight. (No Turning Into An Intersection)
- Leave It. (Tell Your Dog To Avoid Distractions)
To train your dog efficiently, you need to make sure he’s able to focus easily on the lessons. Thus, you shouldn’t teach him mushing commands while biking. The best way for him to learn new voice cues is while walking somewhere there are as few distractions as possible.
With some time and commitment, you should be able to train your dog properly for bikejoring. However, it’s extremely important to respect his limits and conditions. Don’t hit the trails if any of you is not ready to get started. You and your buddy should both be in good shape and understand the basic joring voice cues to enjoy this sport together safely!
It’s Time To Get Started With Bikejoring!
As soon as your dog is well-trained and fit enough for endurance running, you can slowly introduce him to urban mushing. Just don’t start with an advanced biking track that’s too technical or too long. Let him build stamina by gradually improving the intensity, difficulty, and frequency of your bikejoring rides!
Once your buddy has become comfortable with running on trails, you can even sign up for your first official race. It could be an awesome experience as long as he’s well-prepared for joring sports and friendly with other dogs. There are many dryland mushing events for both beginners and expert athletes so don’t hesitate to try your luck.
Best Dog Breeds For Bikejoring!
For my pure pleasure, I’ve decided to share with you what type of companion is ideal for this pulling sport. With proper adaptation and preparation, nearly any dog can enjoy urban mushing. Nonetheless, some breeds will perform better on trails than others.
The ultimate partner for bikejoring is definitely the Siberian Husky. This breed was bred to transport people on sleds so pulling us on bicycles shouldn’t be too difficult. Then, there are also other popular dogs for this joring activity such as American Pit Bulls, Samoyeds, Malamutes, or Pointers.
List Of The Best Bikejoring Dog Breeds!
- Siberian & Alaskan Husky.
- Malamute.
- Samoyed.
- Border Collie.
- German Shorthaired Pointer.
- Vizsla.
- Weimaraner.
- Labrador Retriever.
- American Pit Bulls.
- Etc.
If your dog’s breed isn’t on the list, it doesn’t mean he won’t be able to perform well at this sport. He can still be an excellent choice for bikejoring as long as he’s a natural runner and strong enough to pull you on your bike. His level of energy, physical conditions, stamina, experience, and several other factors will influence if he’s well-suited for urban mushing sports.
Beginner Tips To Get Started With Bikejoring!
Overall, there’s a lot of information to know before heading out on trails with your dog. With the appropriate gear, training, and preparation, you should all set to start bikejoring. However, I’ve still got some advice for novice riders just like you to enjoy this sport as safely as possible!
Start Out Slowly & Gradually.
As I already told you, it’s essential to respect your dog’s limits and conditions to workout together. That’s why I highly recommend you to start with short and smooth rides.
Too intense physical effort without proper training might increase the chance of injury or accident. I’m sure your buddy’s well-being is much more important than going as fast as possible on trails!
Consider The Weather.
Running in extreme temperatures isn’t safe for your four-legged bikejoring partner. It’s generally not recommended to do intense physical activity with a dog when it’s above 80°F (27°C) or below 20°F (-7°C).
However, your companion’s heat and cold tolerance will vary a lot depending on his breed, coat type, health, and many other elements. Just make sure the climate is safe for him to pull you and your bike while running full speed!
Safety First.
Biking with your furry friend isn’t the most riskless activity that exists. Thus, you should ensure you’re both safe on trails. For example, you should always wear your helmet because you never know what can happen. Keep in mind that prevention is better than cure!
Don’t Forget The Water.
Another important thing to have on outdoor adventures is as much water as possible. It’s essential to keep you and your dog well hydrated while bikejoring. You should also take regular breaks to let everyone drink to their thirst!
Bikejor On Paw-Friendly Surfaces.
Your dog’s paw pads aren’t tough enough to run long distances on pavement surfaces. Bikejoring on grass or smooth dirt is much less likely to hurt or injure him. However, the best way to protect his paws on rough terrain is still to invest in dog boots or protection paw wax.
Have Fun!
Even if there’s a lot of things to understand to get started with bikejoring, don’t forget that the most important part of this sport is to have fun together. Just think about it, what could be better than biking, taking fresh air, and spending quality time with your dog simultaneously?
What About Other Joring Sports?
Bikejoring isn’t the only fun activity that’s related to traditional mushing. Dog joring also includes other awesome sports such as canicross, skijoring, and dog scootering. Once you master the basic commands and your buddy is comfortable to pull your bike on trails, I highly recommend you to try similar ways to exercise together!
Last Thoughts About Bikejoring With Your Dog!
If you enjoy cycling and your companion loves to run, bikejoring is the ideal sport for you. This activity is also an efficient way to keep both of you in good shape and health.
The only downside of urban mushing is that it takes serious commitment and training to get started. Nonetheless, all the fun you will have with your dog certainly worth the investment in time and energy!
I hope my article helped you to understand everything you need to start bikejoring. With the right equipment and preparation, you should be able to hit the trails shortly. Now, your time has come to do the work if you eventually want to enjoy bike rides with your dog!
Take Care & Have Fun!