Tip # 1

Go to a NON Mecklenburg Co trail where off leash dogs are allowed, and run as long as you want

Be very careful! Your dog will run till she goes into system failure and dies. Over the years there have been a few crosses placed in the woods from where dogs have died, seriously.
I use to take my dog with me and I learned a few things.
  1) You have to introduce them to milage slowly just like you and I. 
  2) Make sure you have a water source.
  3) Cool to cold weather only, below 60
  4) Don't be blind to your dogs behavior, most people are
  5) Everyone does not think your dog on the trail is cool, I love a good trail dog
  6) There is a leash rule on every trail in town
I stopped taking my girl for reasons 5&6 and she is very disappointed to this day. I do ride with her on a leash on the greenways and such every now and then because she loves to run.
Doug S.

Love biking with my dogs.  I liked a lot of the tips above.  Like to see what else people have to say.  Some of my other thoughts:

Trail stuff:
- Bring a leash.  I like to start off-leash once we are 100 yards in, and stop 50 yards short.
- Consider a field collar (remote training collar).
- Bring bags and clean up.  Encourage them to go way off trail, and pick up anything within a few yards.
- Pull your dog off trail when you stop so others can pass easily.
- When you come across something interesting, and you think they may get distracted, keep moving.  That works for people and dogs, too.
- Talk to people you see, helps make everyone more comfortable.
- Be sensitive to other trail users, prob a third are less than happy to see you.

Health & safety
- Learn their behaviors as they get tired
- Temperature control is crucial - so agree 100% with above - stops every 2-4 miles for a short break, always with water, swim stops are great, and 50s and 60s are best.
- Watch for snakes, ferrel dogs, think about hunting seasons.
- Dogs tire much faster at speed than on hills (the opposite of me!).  No big ring.
- Also agree they need to work up to their mileage.  5 miles is a good start.  With lots of regular rides, in good cool 50deg weather, at moderate speeds, lots of breaks, several swims, food and water, you can 2x,3x+ that distance.

posts by bikermedic and vasco are both serious, not to be taken lightly

Really would like to hear what else people have to say.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. My concerns are the same ones voiced here. I didn't want to start taking her until the weather cooled down (along with the traffic). Will likely be a fall/ winter activity at slower pace. I carried her leash, bags, fold-up water bowl, and she has a remote training collar that I clipped to my hydro pack in case I needed it (I didn't). I think we'll just take it slow and see how she develops. Can't imagine how guilty I'd feel if she ran herself to death or inury!

tony o wrote on 09/29/14 at 9:09pm:



That's bad. Would be tough to see that. Always wondered about that cross, never even crossed my mind it was a dog. Honestly thought it was a joke someone put there for running over a snake or squirrel. Sad.

ChosenOne wrote on 09/29/14 at 11:23pm:


When I come up on someone doing both... I try to run over the dog owner... while avoiding the simple minded dog.

Creek crossings or creeks nearby are the key if its anywhere north of 50.  Looking forward to it cooling off again and being able to take the dog back out.   

I like to take her to "slower" trails that are a bit more technical and don't have as much mileage on gravel roads as opposed to a 20mph blast for long periods of time with a 5 mile gravel road back to the car, etc.  Somewhere like Green's Lick, Kitsuma, or Trace Ridge (all long fast downhills with no water) can be tough on even the fastest dog if you aren't willing to take some breaks or ride slower to let them keep up. 

ChosenOne wrote on 09/29/14 at 11:45pm:


A little late for that, dog mess up your strava time?

Even in cold weather, a determined dog can run until their lungs burst - so don't assume that cooler temperatures automatically mean greater distances. 

Ever hear of the Iditarod? Several of the dogs that did the original serum run ran themselves to death trying to get there. 

Like horses, dogs have more heart than people (and more brain than some). 

Enjoy your dog, but protect your dog. Try to imagine what he would do for you, if he was on the bike and you were on foot. 

To add what Enoch said.  Iredell county has the same leash laws as Mecklenburg.  I like well behaved dogs.  Have only ridden with a few that were actually behaved and not all over the dang place.   

Be considerate to other trail/park users.  If someone asks you to leash your dog in Iredell/Mecklenburg county, don't get an attitude about it.  We get enough of those kind of dog walkers at Fisher Farm Park.