I thought I'd post videos and photos of Link's bikejoring adventures. Temperatures are cooling down and we should start getting into real training and building endurances now that commands and solid.

Video #1

Video #2


First we started out with the Walky Dog. Then one day when Abby and I went to a bike trail together, I realized I had forgotten the bar to my Walky Dog, and tried to let Link run in front of the bike. He did fabulous and responded to my commands very well, the only he had trouble with was walking by other dogs as he found it hard to ignore them. At the moment I'm using a large PetCo harness (that was Yuki's, but I never use it on her now that I've got my WYDWL harnesses) but then I debated between the trail harness and the x-back. I ended up letting Abby borrow my Walky Dog and since I don't see myself using it again (at least not for a while) I ended up going with a custom-made x-back! Link was unsure at first but now I think he likes it

He looks happy!

Rocio_Caballero wrote:

He looks happy!

Thank you! I certainly like to think he is

If you plan on dog sledding I would go with the x-back. If not the trail harness works just fine. I use the trail harness with Loki.

Gunnersmatejmac wrote:

If you plan on dog sledding I would go with the x-back. If not the trail harness works just fine. I use the trail harness with Loki.

I do not plan on dog sledding as I said in my intro for years if I ever do, sleds are for 3+ huskies and only having two at the moment I know I won't be sledding anytime soon as I would have to expand my pack and that won't be for years yet. And even if I have more I may stick to scootering or bike-joring, but at least for now (and the next few years) it will just be my two pups and a bike. Do you like your trail harness? Pros/Cons to it?

I do like the trail harness they are well put together can't think of any cons at the moment. I would like add some more to my pack but limited on space. I think you would be ok with a kicksled with your two sibes.

I would also use my phone to track Loki's progress.

Gunnersmatejmac wrote:

I do like the trail harness they are well put together can't think of any cons at the moment. I would like add some more to my pack but limited on space. I think you would be ok with a kicksled with your two sibes.

Thanks! I still don't plan on buying a kicksled simply because I don't see myself being able to afford any major purchases. I've got a car loan to pay off and after that loan is paid off I want to attend a dog training college which will be another loan to pay off. One last question, did you get a custom fit or adjustable one, and how old was Loki when you bought it? Link is 17 months and I'm a tad afraid of him filling out in his last 7 months and out-growing the harness if I get him a custom fit, although to me he seems done growing.

I got the adjustable one and he was about 9 months old when I bought it.

That is pretty amazing!
Link knows "slow" and "walk" both.
Wow!
Bodhi just knows "go."

I am using the Nordkyn recreation harness with a belly band.
It works for walky dog, backpacking, running and skijoring.

Gunnersmatejmac wrote:

I got the adjustable one and he was about 9 months old when I bought it.

Thank you, I may end up getting the adjustable but the other part of me thinks he may not fill out much more.

jalepeno wrote:

That is pretty amazing!
Link knows "slow" and "walk" both.
Wow!
Bodhi just knows "go."

I am using the Nordkyn recreation harness with a belly band.
It works for walky dog, backpacking, running and skijoring.

Yes I saw that one, it looks pretty nice! So many choices x.x

If I may, I do not own any Alpine outfitters equipment but in my research I have never read a bad review about anything they sell.  Ultra-Paws also makes very good equipment but shop around because I have seen a big difference in price (best I found was at a brick and mortar store).  I own the ultra-paws skijor belt and love it.  
As for harness type, I think it is personal preference.  I use an x-back for the kick sled, skijor, and bikejoring and have no problems with it, however, I have found I like using the springer on the bike more than bikejoring and the x-back harness doesn't work with it.  My choice for this would be the Alpine custom trail harness with the side D-rings(a video of it in use is out there somewhere I just don't remember the link) Ultra-paws may have a trail harness similar to the Alpine one also.

Now for a quick plug of my favorite sport:hijacked:, Skijor with your dog is the best!  To me nothing is as exhilarating as a crisp day, bright sun, and me and the dog on the trail.  This has to be experienced it's just to intense to put in writing.  There, I'm done.

By the way, notice the single dog kick-sled(with Granddaughter musher) and my Maya who seems to be smiling, well I see it that way. As stubborn as she can be if it wasn't fun she wouldn't do it. I don't use it much because I like to ski but on occasion I like to pretend I'm Admiral Bird looking for the pole. The kid really like it!

Hughie wrote:

If I may, I do not own any Alpine outfitters equipment but in my research I have never read a bad review about anything they sell.  Ultra-Paws also makes very good equipment but shop around because I have seen a big difference in price (best I found was at a brick and mortar store).  I own the ultra-paws skijor belt and love it.  
As for harness type, I think it is personal preference.  I use an x-back for the kick sled, skijor, and bikejoring and have no problems with it, however, I have found I like using the springer on the bike more than bikejoring and the x-back harness doesn't work with it.  My choice for this would be the Alpine custom trail harness with the side D-rings(a video of it in use is out there somewhere I just don't remember the link) Ultra-paws may have a trail harness similar to the Alpine one also.

Now for a quick plug of my favorite sport:hijacked:, Skijor with your dog is the best!  To me nothing is as exhilarating as a crisp day, bright sun, and me and the dog on the trail.  This has to be experienced it's just to intense to put in writing.  There, I'm done.

Hughie wrote:

By the way, notice the single dog kick-sled(with Granddaughter musher) and my Maya who seems to be smiling, well I see it that way.  As stubborn as she can be if it wasn't fun she wouldn't do it.  I don't use it much because I like to ski but on occasion I like to pretend I'm Admiral Bird looking for the pole.  The kid really like it!  

Yes I know they love pulling, Link certainly LOVES to bikejore however I just do not see myself making any major purchases such as a kicksled or any new dog equipment besides harnesses as I am currently trying to build up a savings and pay off my loans. So for now and the next couple years we are just going to be jogging with my walking belt and bikejoring Thanks for your input though, I'm definitely leaning towards the alpine trail harness right now.

jalepeno wrote:

Bodhi just knows "go."

Cracked me up. This is Pippa. She knows "stop" when we're running, but I can't get it to transfer over to biking haha.

He's fantastic though! So cool to see him coming into his own with you!

katiesham wrote:

jalepeno wrote:

Bodhi just knows "go."

Cracked me up. This is Pippa. She knows "stop" when we're running, but I can't get it to transfer over to biking haha.

Hahaha! The girls know "go" and sorta "slow" and "stop." They'll stop at stop signs though. xD

katiesham wrote:

jalepeno wrote:

Bodhi just knows "go."

Cracked me up. This is Pippa. She knows "stop" when we're running, but I can't get it to transfer over to biking haha.

He's fantastic though! So cool to see him coming into his own with you!

MayaAndSophie wrote:

katiesham wrote:

jalepeno wrote:

Bodhi just knows "go."

Cracked me up. This is Pippa. She knows "stop" when we're running, but I can't get it to transfer over to biking haha.

Hahaha! The girls know "go" and sorta "slow" and "stop." They'll stop at stop signs though. xD

Thanks Katie, he's doing so great and I'm so proud of his training. I can't believe that it's only been two short months but I've already fallen in love with him. I'm especially happy he does so well with commands as he will be a great teacher for Yuki. Now.. if only he could learn how to ignore other dogs he sees along the way!

And yeah Abby I loved how Sophie started slowing down when she saw that stop sign on the bike trail.

Another video! Also put it in the original post.

lol i have no intentions of sledding, but all three of mine have xbacks. I used them when we went to Husky Camp last year since I didn't need to worry about them backing out of them like they can with other harnesses. I also use them when they're on the bike. Mine are all from Alpine

Jennet&Embry wrote:

lol i have no intentions of sledding, but all three of mine have xbacks. I used them when we went to Husky Camp last year since I didn't need to worry about them backing out of them like they can with other harnesses. I also use them when they're on the bike. Mine are all from Alpine

I'm debating on the X-backs simply because of a price difference but quite honestly I feel the Trail would be better as it could work with my Walky Dog where as the X-back doesn't do so well with it as Hughie mentioned.

A bike adventure with Abby's girls!

Totally cool.

Do you have a GoPro?
If I tried that with my phone, I'd crash.

jalepeno wrote:

Totally cool.

Do you have a GoPro?
If I tried that with my phone, I'd crash.

Does the GoPro attach to the bike or something? I use a little nikon coolpix, one hand on the handle, then the side of my other wrist that was holding the camera on the other handle so I still felt pretty balanced. I didn't have to pedal hardly at all, Link did most the work. ^-^

Megan, do you do pulling with Yuki too or just Link?

I can not wait until I do pulling sports with my Link...the anticipation alone is suffocating. I'm mostly gonna do rollerjoring with him but some sledding too eventually, either alone lightly or with the other gang of Huskies in Seattle as a team.

P.s. I never asked you this before but I have been so curious, why the name Link?  Is it a Legend of Zelda reference or something else.  Around Seattle he is know as red Link, or sometimes, Link 2

seattlesibe wrote:

Megan, do you do pulling with Yuki too or just Link?

I can not wait until I do pulling sports with my Link...the anticipation alone is suffocating.  I'm mostly gonna do rollerjoring with him but some sledding too eventually, either alone lightly or with the other gang of Huskies in Seattle as a team.

P.s. I never asked you this before but I have been so curious, why the name Link?  Is it a Legend of Zelda reference or something else.  Around Seattle he is know as red Link, or sometimes, Link 2

Yuki is only 11 months old so she is not yet pulling. She will be joining us in March of 2014 though!

I was the same way with Yuki before I got Link, excitedly waiting for the time she could pull. Link has been an awesome partner to have, he's very energetic, eager to please, and always ready for more. Bikejoring is quite honestly my favorite thing to do right now.

And yes, his name is from Legend of Zelda Cloud is also from a video game, Final Fantasy.