I am working on getting started with bikejoring this fall as it cools down and sent alpine outfitters an email with some questions and they got back to me ASAP! i should be ordering this week. (Eddy, im going to need Sierra harness fixed
)
http://alpineoutfitters.net/Secure/Scripts/default.asp
here is the email i sent
Hello,
I have been looking over your site and i would like to start bikejoring with our 2 huskies. we have bikes and the dogs have X back harness so i think we just need the line. i was looking at the double scooter line (sku Gl012) and see that it can work for 1-2dogs and has the neck line included. it says it comes also with the connector that fits most scooters, will that also fit most mountain bikes? do i need anything else to get started on this new adventure? i was also wondering what keeps the line from getting caught in the front tire when getting started or if they start to slow down, do you hold on to it or have them pull out till it is tight and then start?
thanks so much for your time,
Jenn
the super fast reply!
Yes, the scooter post connector would fit on most mountain bikes. It's a strap that you wrap around your bike's handlebar post.
The best way to not getting the line caught in your front tire is to make sure that the line is ALWAYS tight. You do this in two ways: 1) by teaching your dogs to always "LINE OUT" as soon as you connect the line to their harness and 2) by always watching them and using your brakes to slow down your bike as needed if you start going faster than the dogs.
When you start out, you should have your dogs already leaning into their harnesses, ergo, keeping the line tight. They shouldn't be moving yet but just doing a "line out". When you are ready to go, just say "Are you ready? Okay - GO!". Teach them them the "line out" command by attaching them to a stationary object, such as a tree or a post and have them "line out". You want them to be always keeping that line tight, as long as you have their harnesses attached to the line. Even when you are resting in the middle of a run, IF you have them attached to the harness, have them line out (even if they are resting down on the ground, that's okay but do have them keep that line tight).
Regardless, there will be times when they will slow down and/or you start going faster than they are running (e.g., going downhill). Do not attempt to grab the line, specially since they are running in front of you, and on a bike, it would be hard to lean over to grab the line. That's when you use your brakes, to slow down to make sure that the line stays tight. NOTE: If your dogs are running at such a slow pace such that you are unable to slow down your bike without being able to stay upright, then your dogs are too tired and need to rest.
The only other gear I would recommend, if your dogs don't have it already, is a collar that will not slip off their heads. For one, make sure NOT to use a choke collar as it could choke them once they are necklined. A lot of mushers use either our full circle or limited slip collars --- they have not buckles on them (which are critical point of failure) and are fully adjustable. I use the limited slip collars with O-rings on my huskies --- I can adjust this so that it slips over their head yet it functions almost like a choke collar whereby when they pull on it, it tightens to the point where they cannot slip it over their head but will stop short of choking them. The big O-ring also serves as a great place to hook my finger onto, even with gloves on, when I need to move them around without using a leash.
I also use a "musher's belt", which allows me to attach dogs to myself while moving them around and still keep my hands free:
http://alpineoutfitters.net/Secure/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=111
Hope this helps and hope it makes sense!
Regards,
Rancy
Alpine Outfitters
I will keep you all updated on how this goes
i also might get the musher belt for snowshoeing to have both hands free.
