Does Anyone Here Ride Their Bike With Their Yorkie?
 

I was glancing through Let's Talk Yorkie's FB page and I saw a pic of a woman riding an old school Schwinn type bicycle with a basket attached with her yorkie tethered in. Has anyone tried this? How did you get your yorkie accustomed to it? Do you think it would be safe? With spring just around the corner, it would be fun to take the furbutts on bike rides to some places instead of being cooped up in the car. Thanks for your input! :)

I have been biking with Lola since she was a puppy, she seems to like it and is not afraid and at times gets bored and curls up in the basket and goes to sleep. But we often ride for two hours or longer so I can see why she gets bored. I know she would prefer to be on the ground sniffing everything but LOL I think she realizes it beats being left at home. My basket is similar to the one in the photo but I believe mine is deeper, it also does not come with a sun shade but I would only ride with the cage on anyway. There have been a few times when I have come close to falling or the bike tips over a little so I feel she is safer when the cage is on. I have found that she does better when I ride on pavement, I have taken her on some packed gravel and it's surprising how bumpy that is for her, I don't like her to bounce up in the air that is another reason I like my basket better than the one in the photo, I believe my cage is taller. I also used to bike with my last yorkie, he was a big time barker and would bark at just about everything he saw especially other dogs and wildlife so he was always on high alert, he was high strung and would never lay down and chill like Lola does but he may have enjoyed it more. I would recommend putting your pups in the basket and then walk the bike part way down your block and back, if they seem Ok with that then ride slowly around your block a few times, don't take them out for a really long ride until you know how they will do. Also if they are afraid or don't like it at first don't give up. Lola was pretty afraid on our first few rides she managed to discover that one of the bars in the corner of the cage was not welded on and to my surprise as I was peddling she managed to push through the cage and jumped out, it was awful she started squealing like a pig running down the street I threw the bike down and went running after her. Thankfully we were not on a busy street and she was not hurt, I put her back in the basket and walked the rest of the way home, little by little I started walking her and the bike until we started riding again and now she is fine. If you get a basket with a cage make sure to inspect all the welds, I had used this basket for 2 years with the yorkie I had before her and never knew that one of the rods had missed getting welded to the frame. I am now on my second basket. If you like bike riding and feel comfortable doing it go for I think you will enjoy having your pup with you when you go out for a ride

My husband and I take bike trips, here is a photo of Lola in her basket in front of Niagara Falls, LOL I doubt many other pups could claim such a photo

Second photo is of myself and my last yorkie Kirby, this will give you a better look at the basket and cage.

oh a couple of other things I forgot to mention; others here also ride and just about everyone says their pups love it. In addition to the security of the cage I also tether her in, there is a small lead strap inside the basket so that makes it easy. I like to sew and just bought some pretty fabric with bikes on it with wicker baskets, I bought it so now I plan to make her a little harness dress for our bike rides

here is the one I have

Midnight Pass, Inc. Pet Products | Wicker Cruiser Pet Bicycle Basket

I just checked the specs the one I have is bigger and a lot taller. I also noticed that they sell extra brackets for your bike, which means if you have more than one bike you can change the basket without having to buy a whole new basket. I am thinking of getting a road bike in addition to my hybred so this will be nice. oh well sorry for so many posts on my part, LOL I do like giving advice:D

We love riding with our pups only they're in a bike trailer. Depending on the weather we do 20-40 miles with breaks.

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that is a good ride, what do you have between the back of your bike and the pup trailer?

I see you live in the bay area, last May were in San Fran and rented bikes and rode over the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito that was so much fun, but LOL the bikes were crappy and there was that big hill getting out of the city that was a killer. Then we went to Sonoma and rented nice road tandem bikes, such beautiful country to ride in. We are coming back again this May but will just be going to Sonoma for biking and wine tasting, have you ridden around there, it was very hilly so I was glad I was riding the tandem.

We like to take our dogs camping with us. They love going our bike rides. I have a three wheeler with the basket in back that will accomadate all three. They are tethered in the basket.

That there is a extracycle cargo trailer that hubby said was a 2014 Valentines day gift.:rolleyes: Look closely and you'll see a handlebar under the bike seat and a cushion along the trailer... that's where I'm suppose to sit. DH says it's good for training, he does 100-200 mile rides. Seriously, it's been great for shopping and getting from point A to B faster by avoiding traffic. The trailer can carry 300 lbs. loads.

A tandem is loads of fun and I can see how helpful it would be to share the load with the crazy hills we have here.

Hubby has biked to Sonama many times. I say... "You just keep going but drop me off at the winery.":D

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Do you have a pic you could post???!!! I have a 3 wheeler too and while I have a basket in front on the handlebars, I do not like the way it tilts and my dogs sit in there not level....I like the idea of the basket on the back but need to see how this looks!!!

Sorry, I don't have a pic of the bike I can post, but we bought it from Camping World and love it.

Thanks!! Checking it out as we speak!!

Such cute pics! What brand of bike would you recommend? I'm 5 feet (barely) and I'm having a really hard time finding an adult bike that's compatible, nice looking, and will last. Maybe I should look in the kid's section? :confused:

Going to look at one of these this weekend. Hopefully I'll find a nice one in my area. Thanks for the tip!

if you are just getting into riding I would suggest what many call a hybrid. This type of bike will give you upright handle bars with mid size tires (width of tire) It will let you ride on paved trails and hard packed gravel, and even the occasional patch of grass or dirt. This type of terrain is what the average rider will face. If you get a road bike they will have the skinniest tires which will make the bike easier to ride/peddle but you will only be able to ride on nicely paved trails or roads, plus many come with the low type handle bars (think tour de France type of bike) Do not get a mountain bike, that type of bike has gotten very popular and for some reason new riders think that is what they need, but unless you are going to be riding on very rough muddy trails, going over tree roots, riding down steep hills and so forth you will never need that type of bike, they are also heavier with very wide tires which makes it much harder to peddle so you will get tired much faster and not be able to ride as far. I noticed quite a difference in speed when I stopped riding a road bike and went to the hybrid, but riding with Lola a slower pace is safer. Also don't get a beach cruiser which is the old fashioned looking style bike those are more for truly riding in sandy areas and for short distance, if you live in a downtown area and bike to stores and so forth they are good because you can attach baskets and saddle bags on the back and front to carry your stuff. Go to a few bike shops and sit on the various sizes also make sure you get a woman's bike especially since you are not very tall, my husband talked me into a smaller men's road bike that was a good deal and I never liked it, frankly the bar freaked me out because it made it harder to straddle and reach the ground when I would have to stand like at a traffic light or just to take a rest. If you want a mid priced bike but a good one it will cost you around $400.00. I bought my bike when a chain of bike shops were having sales, many have tent type sales in the spring, so now is a good time to start looking. For the average bike the brand will not matter much it will be the type of bike at the right price point. Bike price points can go quite high now especially since many are being made out of carbon fiber (light weight yet very strong). My husband built his own bike by starting with a carbon fiber frame, then buying all the components, he spend about $1,500.00, had he bought it assembled it would have cost double, crazy I know but many people spend more. Currently he wants me to get a new road bike and said he will build me one, but he is back to trying to talk me into a men's frame because there are more available and cheaper but this time he can stand on his head and it will not matter LOL I am not getting a man's frame:D

I think it is awesome if you ride your bike with your Yorkie! I would do it if I could ride a bike. I can jog, but my knee can take the motion of riding a bike and although I have tried I could not go around the block, I get about halfway around the block and the pain in my left knee is so bad I have to get off the bike and walk it home.

I would love to jog with my Yorkie if that was possible, but I am not sure he would like the movement of my jogging in any type of carrier. I would gladly take him to do a 5K like that, but I don't see it happening.

I am a very slow runner. I figure that jogging slow is better than sitting on the couch though :)

Go to a local bike shop and you'll end up with a quality, comfortable ride that will last for years as long as it's properly maintained.

Do not buy anything from big box stores because those bikes have junk components and will not last very long.

I'd suggest a hybrid, like others did above, which will probably cost around $400-500. Employees can help you with sizing - and yes - they do make adult bikes for short people!

I have thought about taking my little guy with on rides on my road bike but don't think it's very safe since I average 20mph and mostly ride on rural highways.

I'm a triathlete so I'm very passionate about bikes :)

I have the beach cruiser with a large metal basket. I made the pad for the bottom, and made a tether with clips at both ends, one for the harness and one for the bike. I use to ride them around an they dearly love it, but I had knee replacement surgery in Sept. and haven't been able to ride well enough to take a chance having the girls in the basket as added weight, but soon I'll be able to. I also got them a little helmet and doggles.

Wow you are quite fast, I think the best I ever averaged was 18 MPH and that was on my road bike 10 years ago:) I assume your ride a road bike. You could always do what I did for a while have a bike for your pup and one for your high speed rides. I find I just ride more because I can take Lola with me.

I clip in which helps a lot with speed/more efficient use. Unfortunately I already have two bikes (road and tri) so my husband would probably not be happy if I buy a third!

Pao loves riding with me. I put him in the back basket as he's a little too heavy in the front. I put a mesh laundry basket over him to make sure he doesn't jump out!:D

So cute! The mesh basket it a great idea!

I have a basket (Basil, pluto) that I really like, and it holds ZoE great! I made sure to take the clamp that holds the basket off my Schwinn mountain bike before donating the bike to a local charity. Then I got a new bike, rode it just a couple of times by myself, and then I went to put the basket on, and the darn clamp that holds it, doesnt fit on my head tube...the bars of the frame are just too close together. I'm so ticked! I've tried rigging it with a skinny half clamp on the back, and it just doesn't hold it securely.

Now I'm debating between buying a new bike, or buying a new basket. ZoE is a BIG yorkie, and it's hard to find a basket to hold her.

I've always wanted to take Billi on a ride with me, but have been too scared too because my bike is a couple of inches too tall for me. I'm scared to ride it on my own, so I wouldn't risk my babies in it.

But when I get a new bike, heck yeah I'll take my lil one's for a spin. Nothing sounds sweeter than riding with them to the dog park on a sunny day :)

Karan what type of basket do you have, I don't believe I have ever seen it, the place that sells my basket selld different type of brackets, you should bring the bike and basket next time you come over when Ian is here he might be able to figure out a way to make it work

Pao is big at 10+ lbs. I just get the biggest bicycle basket they sell for the rear and then mount the mesh cover as well. I couldn't even have him on the front because he's heavy and when he moves my balance is off.

I have the Pluto made by Basil. It's a bice big basket, but the way it mounts its different than any other I've seen. I never thought anything of it, because it fit my last bike fine. But on my newer bike, there is no room where it's supposed to mount.