[Closed] Taking dog on bike ride - yeah or nay?

Personally, I don't think it's right. How are you going to keep it under control if you're riding a bike and trying to look after your kids?

What if it shits everywhere?

Whit if there's some fast lads trying to beat a top time on the trails, and your dog runs out in front of them and they collide with it?

Too many risks.

Yep, I would.

Working Cocker (plus kids too) and he's ridden with me for years, including most of Glentress and Innerleithen. Never had a problem.

[i]Whit if there's some fast lads trying to beat a top time on the trails, and your dog runs out in front of them and they collide with it? [/i]

They should watch what they are doing, no different running into a dog than one of your kids.

Yep - as she is young you do need to be careful and not do too much else she'll damage herself.

Do you not have the Internet ?
18 months and older for extended exercise.
You and your kids might be going slow, pup will not be.

Nay.

I've nearly crashed more than once after having dogs run right in front of me at a trail centre. Then there's the shit of course.

Working Cocker (plus kids too) and he's ridden with me for years, including most of Glentress and Innerleithen. Never had a problem.

You've never had a problem - who cares about other people though eh? 😉

[i]You've never had a problem - who cares about other people though eh? [/i]

I'm sorry, I didn't realise you'd priority over me 🙄

I'm sorry, I didn't realise you'd priority over me

It's not about me having priority over you, it's about having a dog that's not under your control running around on trails built for biking (and do you think you are picking up all of it's turds?) - it's just irresponsible.

Typical of the sense of entitlement of many dog owners though.

I've got a 3 year old working cocker spaniel, very fit & capable little dog, but no way I'd take her to a trail centre with me.
If it was a really quite ride with very few other people (local bridleways etc.) then I might consider it, but otherwise 'it's a no from me'

If it was a really quite ride with very few other people (local bridleways etc.) then I might consider it, but otherwise 'it's a no from me'

Good to see it's not all dog owners though.

One year old springer spaniel. OK to take her round Thetford with the children, or not? Will probably go quite slowly and gently.

Yeah or nay?

On a lead? I would take it really easy, if it's the pups first time running with a bike then 10mins at the most.

18 months and older for extended exercise. You and your kids might be going slow, pup will not be.

Our vet said 12months, she is barely trotting at kids bike pace.

Also in the not at a trail centre camp but take mine out locally quite often and have done from 6 months- built up distance but never much over an hour even now they are 5 years old- most important is to take it easy on downhills and don't race too hard on flats- they usually beat me uphill 😳

Always had dogs and love having them around but think it's a bit selfish to take them to a trail centre. Country walks bridle ways by all means but I wouldn't take one to a purpose built mtb trail. That would smack of self interest and viewing my desires as more worthy than those of others.

i say no you have enough trouble watching the kids let alone a young dog, asking for trouble if you ask me lol

I take my dog (doberman,5yrs) out on a ride nearly every day,between 4 and 15 miles,he loves it.
however,I keep him on a lead,tied to my waist,on a halti collar,so he can't pull me over,or run any where I don't want him to.
I stop so he can drink every few miles (loads of lakes,a river and canals)
I certainly wouldn't take him to a trail center,same as I wouldn't ride my bike through a dog training class.....
cheeky/wild trails are fair game.

the springer should be fine, but they will go until they drop to keep up so I would agree with the go steady.

With the other comments....I dont take the dog to a trail centre. I would hate it if he was hit and hurt / rider hurt. Quiet local rides only really, I dont think its fair on all concerned when busy

My springer comes out with me pretty much every ride. We've just been out for 5 hours today with plenty of doggy breaks (3rd ride this week ) and had an ice cream together down in Cheddar 😀

Trail centre - as i've said before NO. I don't want to risk someone crashing trying to avoid her and I don't want someone going full belt and hitting her.

We did have an unfortunate accident today when she was a bit tired and I think a kid freaked her out a bit and she suddenly decided to go the other side of a signpost to me while on the lead....Only damage to me and the bike though fortunately. On bridleways she is off the lead. Safer for both of us and when I knows I am faster she pulls over to the side and lets me through like the perfect riding partner 🙂

Just came back.

We met two other cyclists in the car park, and apart from that no-one. They were a bit surprised I wasn't coming with them tbh, as normally I would go out with them....

Picked up the poo (in a bag obviously).

Took it quite gently, and had several stops for water. She was on the lead until we got beyond the car park. We were out for just over an hour.

Despite the doom-mongers, it was fine and we all had a great time. The sky didn't fall in, though it did get a bit dark towards the end.

I took a 26" HT; I imagine if I'd been on a 650b it would all have been far more awesomer 🙂

[img] [/img]

What if it shits everywhere?

Everywhere?

That would be an awful lot of shit.

Reilly the Springer x Lab loves coming out with me. Been to several trailcenters, weeekday mornings when there aren't many others about. Never had a problem as he's always either just in front or just behind me. He rails berms better than I do. Start them slowly with lots of breaks and gradually up the distance. Always take plenty of water and a folding bowl.
Luckily for me and him the haterz seem not to actually ride where/when I do as pretty much everyone we've met has had at the very least a smile for him, often a pat or scratch of the head and positive comments.

[img] [/img]

It is bird nesting season Mar to August 1st and these sites are vunerable to distrurbance by dogs not under close control, especially threatened ground nesting species such as yellowhammer, lapwing, skylark and others.

No from me too, just them for a walk instead.

mrelectric - Member

It is bird nesting season Mar to August 1st and these sites are vunerable to distrurbance by dogs not under close control, especially threatened ground nesting species such as yellowhammer, lapwing, skylark and others.

if dog owners are prepared to toilet their animals on playing fields and public parks do you really think they GAF about ground nesting birds when they take to the footpaths

It is bird nesting season Mar to August 1st and these sites are vunerable to distrurbance by dogs not under close control, especially threatened ground nesting species such as yellowhammer, lapwing, skylark and others.

If I'd seen any signs up about this she'd have been on her lead (which is what we did round some National Trust land we visited a few weeks back). There are some grazing sheep which we steered clear of, but I saw nothing else.

She didn't find any eggs or birds, though she did find some tasty looking pine cones.

if dog owners are prepared to toilet their animals on playing fields and public parks do you really think they GAF about ground nesting birds when they take to the footpaths

It's just as well no-one generalizes about cyclists in this lazy fashion or they all would have had their bikes removed and crushed by now....

It's just as well no-one generalizes about cyclists in this lazy fashion or they all would have had their bikes removed and crushed by now....

you don't take your dog onto playing fields or the local parks... ever?

In my experience many dog owners do actually GAF, but like everyone, don't always know of the issues.

what about all those pesky fox, badger, squirrel, bird, bat, rabbit owners who let their animals poo and wee all over parks and sports fields....oh wait they are wild animals and that's what happens in the real world.

Someone used to complain behind our backs about our dog using the shared garden at my flat for it toilet (we cleaned up after it of course, as well as any cat and fox poo). Before we got the dog I could count the number or times other people (out of 11 flats) used the garden a year on two hands. Having the dog meant we stopped finding random people looking round the back during the day and night and we no longer had foxes leaving their horrible blacky sticky poo all over the place.

Now when I pop back to the flat I see that the foxes have returned and I hope they sit in some on the one time a year they use the garden (that we used to look after too along with the nice animal loving couple upstairs).

PS I never take my dog onto dedicated sports fields or playgrounds. But public parks with temporary pitches etc are fair game as it's there for everyone and I clean up my dogs mess just as I expect families to clean up their crisp packets and drinks bottles...

Some say yes, some say no, if your dog is under control then it's probably better than half the f wits out there on the trails.

If it's BW's then so long as it's good with sheep/rabbits etc then no worries just be prepared to put it on a lead for sections with young animals.

Trail centres try it mid week

The people who moan about dogs on trails probably moan about a hell of a lot of other things so are probably best off ignored. My hound just glues herself to my back wheel when I'm riding. If she takes a carp, she goes well off trail.

Depends on what riding you do, and the type of dog.

I had the best trained dog ever, hound cross. Ran with the bike to the wheel everywhere.
Took him downhilling once.
It broke his spirit.
And I mean..after that he just gave up, would'nt even try to keep up.

You gotta respect, horses for coarses.

I have ridden mainly swinley for 3 years with my jack/corgi cross and he loves it especially the berms, can manage 15-18km, is nearly always in front of me or directly behind chasing, yes he does poop in the woods but so do everyone esles dogs, foxes deer squirrels badgers etc and he's naver pooped on a trail, if he poops anywhere near a fire road it gets cleaned up, has never caused anyone to come off their bikes or got in the way of anyone, i always keep an eye out for oncoming riders and warn them. I havent taken him up to the new trails yet as i feel it is too busy now.
your springer will be much more obedient than my terrier and also able to go further(longer legs :))so dont worry about ridng with her, just get on with it and train her to stay close to you.

Always take plenty of water and a folding bowl.

my boy would never drink (apart from muddy puddles) until one hot day he gave in and now happily drinks from a water bottle when we go out, me squirting of course

what about all those pesky fox, badger, squirrel, bird, bat, rabbit owners who let their animals poo and wee all over parks and sports fields....oh wait they are wild animals and that's what happens in the real world.

PS I never take my dog onto dedicated sports fields or playgrounds. But public parks with temporary pitches etc are fair game as it's there for everyone and I clean up my dogs mess just as I expect families to clean up their crisp packets and drinks bottles...

thanks for using public space aimed at giving children somewhere to play as a place to toilet your dog and hence turn it into a biohazard

How many parks are infected with Toxocara eggs?
Random soil surveys have found that the majority of parks throughout the UK are infected with Toxocara eggs in various stages of development

My hound just glues herself to my back wheel when I'm riding. If she takes a carp, she goes well off trail.

I'll remember not to stray from the path whilst your dog is fishing 😉

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:

Worries sheep
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up
Attacks people
Runs at/in front of people on bikes
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them)

And yet......

10 miles on tues with my collie. 7 miles last night. Probably another ten tonight.

He gets upset if the bike gets to go out and he doesn't.

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:

Worries sheep
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up
Attacks people
Runs at/in front of people on bikes
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them)

And yet......

Same can be said of parents etc. most are responsible, some are not. That goes for people too. I've had more issues on trails form inconsiderate areswipes on bikes than I ever have from dogs.

If you can keep your dog under control then fine. But not at busy times or trails. Dogs don't just run down the trail they zig zag in and out of the undergrowth, especially when it is a steep bermy bit as it is quicker to run straight down. I almost ran a terrier over and had a nasty crash on the fastest bit of the FOD track because some numpty had his dog running all over the place behind him and it decided to jump out on me, which he would have been completely oblivious to.

As trails get busy only a matter of time till there is a serious incident with dead dog and broken rider.

How many parks are infected with Toxocara eggs?
Random soil surveys have found that the majority of parks throughout the UK are infected with Toxocara eggs in various stages of development

Of course dogs are the only carriers of Toxocara in the UK aren't they? And I'm sure you have figures which show that the <100 cases of occular toxocariasis are attributable to dog poo in parks where children are supervised by adults as opposed to cat poo in gardens where children are often unsupervised?

You know what kids are capable of, you know what dogs are capable. Do you really need to put it to the public vote...

Edit: Agree with this

I don't agree with dogs on trails at trail centres, but elsewhere live and let live

No - you need to first train the dog to be used to running with you and the bike, and having other bikes around, and as you say the dog is young and inexperienced.

Once you are confident in the dog then it is a different matter, but a baptism at a trail centre is asking for trouble.

Not against and not for.
Not a dog owner and have only have had two experiences on rides with dogs on the trail
1st at Haughmond hill where the dog was a PITA weaving on and out stopping, causing crashes etc
And the folk that bought it along we're not in the original group. They were surprise guests of a club rider

On the flip side, at the weekend my mate took his around Woburn with us
It knew the trails and where to go always running at the side of you about 2m to the side in the undergrowth
It was a pleasure and after about an hour the dog went home and we continued

Personally I don't agree with dogs on trails at trail centres, but elsewhere live and let live

It depends on the dog and how it behaves. If it follows along at pace then no problems, if it gets in the way, think again. It's all about consideration for others.

If you are unsure - go out of an evening or weekday and get the dog following on before you start finding a busy spots and times.

in parks where children are supervised by adults

kids have to be supervised in parks by adults? I must have missed that

still fudging the issues around the prevelance of the disease due to dogs being toileted in public parks makes it alright then

The most common Toxocara parasite of concern to humans is T. canis, which puppies usually contract from the mother before birth or from her milk. The larvae mature rapidly in the puppy's intestine; when the pup is 3 or 4 weeks old, they begin to produce large numbers of eggs that contaminate the environment through the animal's feces.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxocariasis/gen_info/faqs.html

Nothing like a nice bit of 'whattaboutery' though.

Nothing like a nice bit of 'whattaboutery' though.

I wasn't debating that dogs carry the parasite, just that they aren't the only carrier. The risk is still very low to a child playing in a park.

More people lose their vision every year from pencil related injuries, but you see plenty of irresponsible parents leaving pencils lying around.

Nothing like a bit of 'scaremungery' though 😉

I wasn't debating that dogs carry the parasite, just that they aren't the only carrier.

No-one ever claimed they were the only carrier though did they. Classic straw man/whattaboutery, as is your stuff about pencils.

Irresponsible but it is the latest bike accessory. If you want to do it then do it somewhere that isn't dedicated to cycling.

Irresponsible

Why? i saw no-one else out at all last night. I got a ride, he got a run.

I could have just taken him for a shit in the park...

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:

Worries sheep
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up
Attacks people
Runs at/in front of people on bikes
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them)

No to sheep. Although you might want to ask the sheep.

No they don't go on the path unless there is a problem. A month or so ago one of my dogs did have a problem and I went back up the road with a bucket of hot soapy water and a brush and cleaned the pavement.

No

Yes the young one is a nightmare when I ride and tries to bite the front tyre, having successfully destroyed one UST, I 've very wary with my RR, but have developed an successful counter defence to his exuberance. The old one has retired from the cycling club but was very good and had far better endurance.

Under control, yes...... deaf sometimes yes. Will they go off on their own. No. Will they go up to people. Yes if curious but you can prejudge this.

I don't like the local park or common as there are numerous issues. Rubbish being one, the other being human crap, which dogs seems to have a sixth sense for. So I don't allow my dogs to get out of sight.

Where jambo?

Stick a Pamper on it and train it to stay on your wheel, when it learns to draft you can go a bit faster.

I find many dog owners in my local woods to be particularly inconsiderate, but then others are respectful. You can't keep tabs on what it does away from you and many owners are blind to their dogs aggressive behaviour. Equally some owners train their dogs well and they are lovely.

Dog eggs on the trail and having to stop mid flow due to someone's pet are unforgivable in a centre. Equally someone hitting the dog, or hurting themselves from having to stop abruptly is avoidable.

Take the dog to the park/woods/countryside/hills/etc, take your bike to the trail.

Local woods/moors. Mix of open moorland, woodsy singletrack and a sustrans cyclepath.

we even saw some little lambs and he didnt rip their throats out. I was so proud.

Some people really need to wake up and stop living in their bubble - on both sides of the fence. As I have said before dog walkers who don't pick up after their dogs are a bigger menace to responsible dog owners more than anyone else as we walk those routes more and some dogs like to roll in it. I also have a problem with people who drop litter, cigarettes, chewing gum, syringes, condoms. That is why I moved out of the city - to get away from humans who are the most disgusting species by a long way. Out of all the times you have been ill in your life how much can you put down to animals and how much to other peoples poor hygiene or coughing etc?

I love the idea of riding with my two retrievers but before I go out I ask myself a few simple questions. Will I be able to ensure (in no particular order)|

1. Their safety
2. Other dogs safety
3. Other animals safety
4. Other people's safety (man eating flatcoats!)
5. My safety

The answer then comes pretty obvious, albeit not the one that I would like! Walk the dogs, ride the bikes! Just not at the same time IMO.

The ground nesting birds thing is questionable. If an area is open to bikes on trails then taking a dog along too is no problem - but (and it's a big but) only if the dog sticks to paths and doesn't go wandering.

I think that going to trail centres at quiet times every so often is ok, I wouldn't take him regularly or on a busy weekend. Everything else is fair game.

My lab started at 1 year old but for no more than an hour with lots and lots of breaks to let him rest.

Nay bloody things are irritating. Take it for a walk.

we even saw some little lambs and he didnt rip their throats out. I was so proud.

So you had your dog off the lead in a field with sheep? During lambing season? No I can't see how that's irresponsible at all.

Out of all the times you have been ill in your life how much can you put down to animals and how much to other peoples poor hygiene or coughing etc?

TBH getting ill isn't my primary concern. I have no problem with well behaved dogs and responsible owners. Unfortunately there's far too many that aren't responsible at all (many of whom kid themselves that they are, it would appear).

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:

Worries sheep - [b]I have, and they keep their dog away from sheep and MY sheep why they come to visit[/b]
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up [b]I have and I told them it's disgusting[/b]
Attacks people - [b]I have and I told them to sort it out, one way or another[/b]
Runs at/in front of people on bikes [b]Seen it plenty and they grab their dogs to try and keep control and you can see why the dog is the way it is. Also seen lots of people run out in front of people on bikes or in front of cars or other people walking etc or riders dump their bikes in the middle of the f'ing trail on a trail centre to fix a puncture[/b]
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them) [b]and yet again, had lots of people struggling to control dogs and asking for help and found lots of dogs wandering round[/b]

And yet......[b]and yet the biggest menace to everyone and everything is not dogs, it is humans. Humans doing stupid/inconsiderate things, dropping litter, not cleaning up after dog, killing people on purpose or by accident, causing pollution with just about everything they do....etc etc etc etc[/b]

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:
Worries sheep
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up
Attacks people
Runs at/in front of people on bikes
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them)

1) Yes, happened a couple of times when she was young. But never to the point of endangering them (or any unborn lambs).
2) Again yes if it's dark and I can't find the poo / i don't see it happen. [i]EDIT for the idiots: This is a probably has happened, not a happens regularly.[/i]
3) Never happened
4) No, she is very bike aware. Her default position is drafting the back wheel.
5) She is often no where near me if I deem it to be appropriate.

And for the record i've taken the dog round Cwm Carn, Afan, Brechfa, Llandegla, CyB, Penmachno, Quantocks, Exmoor and only ever had positive comments from other riders.

And yet......and yet the biggest menace to everyone and everything is not dogs, it is humans. Humans doing stupid/inconsiderate things, dropping litter, not cleaning up after dog, killing people on purpose or by accident, causing pollution with just about everything they do....etc etc etc etc

That's just more whataboutery (taken to extreme levels) - if you're up in court for murder try saying 'yeah but what about genocide in Rwanda' as a defence and see where it gets you.

'My inconsiderate behaviour with my dog isn't a problem when you compare it to people killing each other' is a ridiculous argument.

phil.w - well I guess at least you can admit the anti-social nature of your dog ownership. Shame you don't seem too bothered though. If you say she is often nowhere near you then she probably often shits on the trail and you don't clear it up. Nice.

Maybe you shouldn't take her out in the dark if you aren't going to be able to clear up her shit.

jam bo - Member
Local woods/moors. Mix of open moorland, woodsy singletrack and a sustrans cyclepath.

we even saw some little lambs and he didnt rip their throats out. I was so proud.

That's not a trail centre then so why try to argue?

Riding around a trail centre with a dog: NO

Riding around local trails with a dog: YES provided dog is under control when necessary as if would you were walking it.

Riding around around estates and busy roads: NO absolutely 'kin not. One thing I hate is kids and adults riding along pavements with their dogs pulling in all directions.

FTR, I wouldn't take our Springer on a trail ride due to the distance covered. I have done lots of XC running with him though.

well I guess at least you can admit the anti-social nature of your dog ownership. Shame you don't seem too bothered though. If you say she is often nowhere near you then she probably often shits on the trail and you don't clear it up. Nice.

Thats quite a jump from what I said.

I answered the questions honestly and accurately. Something that has happened once or twice doesn't make for anti social behaviour. So no I'm not bothered to try and appease you judgmental attitude.

Yes, I admitted she has probably taken a shit on a trail at some point over the last 4 years, not that it happens regularly.

She is often not near me as most of the time we are in the middle of fields, farmers fields, where she can shit where ever she likes.

She is often not near me as most of the time we are in the middle of fields, farmers fields, where she can shit where ever she likes.

Wow. Unbelievable.

Have the farmers told you they're ok with that then?

Why? i saw no-one else out at all last night. I got a ride, he got a run.

I could have just taken him for a shit in the park...

After 3 everyone, 2 wrongs don't make a "....."

Wow. Unbelievable.

Have the farmers told you they're ok with that then?

What an odd comment when you know nothing about the situation. You seem to be jumping to many a conclusion just to suit your own argument/prejudices.

Specifically have I been told "your dog can shit in the field"? No. But it's more than inferred since she's often with the farm dogs and that's exactly what they do.

Would you like to visit the farms in question with me? If you ask nicely I'll even get one of the dogs to round up a couple of sheep for you. (and shit on command at your chosen location)

Wow. Unbelievable.
Have the farmers told you they're ok with that then?

Are they the same farmers who are spreading chemically washed Human shit all over their fields????
Check out the Welsh stance on "nutrient enrichment" from doggie poo 🙂 actively encouraged from what i read.

It's not about me having priority over you, it's about having a dog that's not under your control running around on trails built for biking (and do you think you are picking up all of it's turds?) - it's just irresponsible.

Typical of the sense of entitlement of many dog owners though.

This, I think dogs are ace and miss my black lab mucho but just cos you love your dog and trust it doesn't mean everyone else does.

Typical of the sense of entitlement of [s]many dog owners though[/s] most people, most of the time.

It's not about me having priority over you, it's about having a dog that's not under your control running around on trails built for biking (and do you think you are picking up all of it's turds?) - it's just irresponsible.
Typical of the sense of entitlement of many dog owners though.

It goes back to experience for me, most of the problems on trails have been with other people not dogs, the only dog problems I have had were dog walkers in the forest with roaming dogs running onto the trails. Most people who take dogs out at trail centres have dogs who can handle it. Shame the exceptions stand out....

If the question was about coming round a corner and wiping out little Johnny who's dad though he was ready to ride red trails but he was just wobbling round it would be all the bikers fault for going too fast round corners.

I've never heard a dog owner admit that their dog:

Worries sheep: [b]he has hearded sheep of his own accord on occasion yes[/b]
Shits on paths and it doesn't get cleared up [b]NO! he likes do do that in long grass or bushes at the side god knows why as it a PITA to clean up and YES i Do!
Attacks people [b]has never attacked anyone that didnt deserve it, i.e the theiving TW*T trying to steal my bikes, and never will[/b]
Runs at/in front of people on bikes [/b]never really did in the fisrt place but after i ran him over one day he now steers well clear of oncoming bikes[/b]
Is not under their control (or often anywhere near them)[/b] No he's never under my control really, and does chose when to listen but he's never out of eyesight, and always comes when needed[b]

And yet......

Same can be said of parents etc. most are responsible, some are not. That goes for people too. I've had more issues on trails form inconsiderate areswipes on bikes than I ever have from dogs.

[b]+1[/b] there are far more inconsiderate and down right rude idiots on bikes who dont GAF about anyone else but themselves out there than any person on a bike with their dog

and to people saying its a fashion these days to be seen with dog,,, I have been MTB'ing with my dogs since the 90's

I forgot that I did a cheesy little edit with Ashka last year. She was pretty young so took fairly easily. Not much in the way of wondering into the woods eating sheep:

Anyone up for a doggy forum ride Monday at Thetford? Early start mind as mine is still not bike friendly he has a habit of getting in the way still.

(Before you all start its tongue in cheek, unless anyone wants to get going at 6am from the Brandon side so I'm clear before the rush).

I agree with the majority. Dogs should be banned from trail centres. Blanket ban, not just at busy times. Cleaning dog mess off my bike is as vile on a Monday morning as it is on a Sunday afternoon.

My Cocker comes to Swinley occasionally with the kids of an evening. Managed a 48 min Blue route. Kids ride first, then dog, then me, thus not holding people up for their Strava runs. And yes I pick up and bag the crap and put it in my rucksack to dispose of later. Had a nice comment about this last time he came.

His lines are dreadful though 🙄

Not fun coming round a corner at a trail centre to find a dog in the middle of the track. Personally, although I grew up with dogs around & my parents still have dogs, trail centre's are not the place for them. Trail centre's are one way, bike only routes, that allow riders a little more freedom than your standard bridleway where you have to always consider oncoming walkers etc. (although I have had a run in at a trail centre with walkers coming up the track...they complained we were going too fast, we politely pointed out the "no walkers" sign a few yards behind them, yet they continued up the track!)

Was it the off the lead and out of control spaniel that decided to sit in the middle of the second last double at Swinley last Sunday? The one that forced me and the person behind to come to a complete stop and came very close to causing an accident? That one was in front of its owner.

Rode swinley yesterday, and on my strava run (flame away) on the fastest bit of the blue came round a blindish right handler into a left berm/climb and almost straight into a riders dog which surprised by the sudden sound of skidding decided stop and run right across in front of me, and then do the bark / pretend to bite your ankle thing.

Starting to piss me off. Dogs should not be at trail centres, especially where like swinley they have been built to encourage people to push it.

As for the dog crap argument, yes it's annoying but I am far more concerned about hitting a dog or it biting me....

timidwheeler - Member

I agree with the [s]majority.[/s] usual suspects who are making the same old anti-dog arguments against the same old pro-dog arguments from the other usual suspects

😉

on the fastest bit of the blue came round a blindish right handler into a left berm/climb and almost straight into a [s]riders dog[/s] small child out for his first ride