[harrise]

Nothing of real value in this post, just sharing my experience so far.

I've been bored a bit lately and finally came up with something to do. As you may or may not know, I've had the sled dogs pulling me on a bike. The sheer serenity of having the dogs do all the work has led to what may be the beginnings of an addiction... So I went and bought myself some hollow braided poly nylon rope then learned how to splice and tie it. Today we tried this formation:


The Malamutes did NOT like this at all. For the most part they stay in a formation and there may be two or three twists after a five mile run. With this setup they were locked in place behind Ridik who was six feet ahead of them. Sioux and Coco kept stopping and Ridik would not stay ahead of them, which led to step overs and tangles. After about 300-400 yards I took them off and we raced home (so there was no negative association with this outing). Then tied them up the old way and had our usual run.

Now I have tomorrow's setup all spliced together. The only real difference between this and the old one is tow length, tug length, and suspension (bungee)...


I can't wait for snow. These guys have been carrying 10-20 pounds each all summer with about three weeks of pulling a bike. We will do heavy snow days on the snowboard until I can buy cross country skis. (I used to be very good on x-country.) Winter is SO much better than summer, spring or fall.

[Jen D]

Lol the dogs get the old one back! Do you ever do any pulling competitions with them?

[GroovyGroomer777]

Where is Tambi's spot?

[wvasko]

I can't wait, the idea of them dogs and you on skis is mind boggling, we may have to send the mounties/helicopters etc to find you.

[4dogs3cats]

Originally Posted by GroovyGroomer777

Where is Tambi's spot?

I was thinking this too.

Oh! Why dont you put her new sweater on and get a little basket for the bike....

[harrise]

Originally Posted by Jen D

Lol the dogs get the old one back! Do you ever do any pulling competitions with them?

Not yet. I did some searching around online and found quite a few races out here. That means I would also need a sled and those cost money. Unless I buy the skis and enter skijoring races. I want to make it to the western slope for a couple of days. They have hundreds of miles of trails out along the edge of those mountains.

Originally Posted by GroovyGroomer777

Where is Tambi's spot?

HA! Yeah, right. No way I would risk the bike ride with her. The big dogs might get hurt to a degree if something goes wrong, but Tambi...¿? Then there's the problem of the snow packing in her fur. OH!!! I could make her little knee high leather boots!!!

Originally Posted by wvasko

I can't wait, the idea of them dogs and you on skis is mind boggling, we may have to send the mounties/helicopters etc to find you.

Not too mind boggling I hope. Cuz I might just go rent some skis to get some pics if it ever freakin' snows out here. I'll take my GPS phone too so I can broadcast my location in case a rabbit takes off in front of us.

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

Oh! Why dont you put her new sweater on and get a little basket for the bike....

...several reasons...



Oh, forgot to mention things went splendid this morning. They need the freedom of the fan setup so the boys can do their marking thing for the first half mile. Once they've got it out of their system they settle into a pattern and pace. I'm taking them one more time before everyone arrives for the feast. I will get some pics of that outing. The locked in place setup is going to take some work...

[wvasko]

Originally Posted by harrise

Not yet. I did some searching around online and found quite a few races out here. That means I would also need a sled and those cost money. Unless I buy the skis and enter skijoring races. I want to make it to the western slope for a couple of days. They have hundreds of miles of trails out along the edge of those mountains.



HA! Yeah, right. No way I would risk the bike ride with her. The big dogs might get hurt to a degree if something goes wrong, but Tambi...¿? Then there's the problem of the snow packing in her fur. OH!!! I could make her little knee high leather boots!!!



Not too mind boggling I hope. Cuz I might just go rent some skis to get some pics if it ever freakin' snows out here. I'll take my GPS phone too so I can broadcast my location in case a rabbit takes off in front of us.



...several reasons...



Oh, forgot to mention things went splendid this morning. They need the freedom of the fan setup so the boys can do their marking thing for the first half mile. Once they've got it out of their system they settle into a pattern and pace. I'm taking them one more time before everyone arrives for the feast. I will get some pics of that outing. The locked in place setup is going to take some work...

I like it because it sounds like you're having a great time figuring out and building your personal setup. When the snow comes that will be the actual bonus, I am impressed when people make their own dog tools etc. for whatever undertaking. If I have my sledding lore intact, isn't the fan method an old version harness used before the inline stuff or am I alzheimering out.