Quote Originally Posted by Velobambina View Post
Elk - Can't provide advice about the bike, however, I would strongly discourage you from riding with your dog attached by a leash to your bike. I've seen people try to do this and it's not safe, particularly on a shared trail. Most importantly, I always feel sorry for the dog, who struggles to keep up with its owner. It's dangerous, also, for anyone else who is either riding their bikes or are on foot. You can never predict if a dog will take off after something, pulling you down, run into someone else (causing another cyclist to wipe out, for example), etc.

Conversely, a guy at work mountain bikes in the woods and his dog comes w/him. The dog is not leashed, however, so the dog is able to take breaks and go at his own pace.
Hi V
I totally understand your concerns...I see similiar problems all the time. And in the majority of cases, I totally agree with you.

But that does't mean that roadwork is a bad idea. A lot depends on the dog's structure...you can easily tell good from not so good...a dog with good structure never breaks a trot and I would say they are the only good candidates. The rider also rides at a pace that allows the dog to maintain that effortless trot. Seeing a dog struggling to keep up with an oblivious rider breaks my heart....

My plan is to work where and when traffic of all sorts is minimal and wait until my dog is trained to safely accompany me. (I am a dog trainer who works in competive obedience.) Her structure is great; she can cover miles in that floating trot...and her, and my, safety s paramount....
thank you for your concern...I pretty much agree!
elk
P.S. there are some pretty efficent springy attachments for this; it's not like just tying your dog to your bike.