Bike Rides With Lucy

It's been pretty dog heavy around here recently. Well, if we're being honest it's been a pretty dog-heavy year. 

Lucy is getting a lot more comfortable with us. She's acting like a puppy a lot more often and is absolutely dying to wrestle with Socks the cat. I'm constantly looking for ways to wear her out because I sort of want to kill her if she isn't worn out. 

I mean I still love her, just look at her, but she gets pretty annoying when she's bored.

Logan has taken her out for 1 or 2 runs, apparently his runs are very specialized and can't include dogs for the most part. However, she loves running. I like to think of half our walks as runs without the actual running. Her whole body strains to go faster. 

I read about the Walky Dog bike leash and told Logan I'd get it for him to put on his bike. That way he could incorporate the dog into his hobby! He took to this idea like he took to the idea of getting a bike trailer or a jogging stroller so the kids could join him while he pursued his hobby. Logan's hobbies though are very important however so he poo-pooed my idea.

Taking Lucy for 3-4 walks a day is you know nice but not great for time management and since I'm never going to be a runner I decided to get the bike leash for myself. I asked Twitter if they had any feedback about this particular gadget and no one did. But Scott from The Dog Outdoors chimed in offering to send us one to try.

Internet, you're pretty okay. Even though sometimes you call me a fat drunk who doesn't love my kids. Maybe you were just having your period.

The installation process was super simple, just a doo-hickey around the bike seat pole that allows the straight bar to be easily attached and removed as needed. Inside that bar are springs which absorb any pulling the dog may do. 

Lucy, God love her, believes she would like to eat your dog's face when she is on a leash. Once off a leash she just wants to play. So when we see a dog and she's on a leash she pulls pretty hard. She's only 40 pounds so it's not too difficult to control. 

However, if I was holding a leash and trying to balance on a bike I would easily be pulled over. The springs absorb the pulling a great deal and also act as a self corrector. 

I also like it because the bar is totally neutral. I'm constantly being told that my fear is being transferred through the leash because I'm afraid Lucy is going to eat another dog's face off. But she reacts exactly the same to other dogs with the emotionally neutral Walky Dog leash as she does with my anxious leash. 

The only time we had any trouble with the Walky Dog was when Logan tried to take a picture. You can see how troubling that is for Lucy above. She sort of jerked backwards and yanked the (not attached tightly enough) bar backwards throwing herself on the ground behind the wheel. So that was nice. Cameras are TERRIFYING.

Lucy is a lot like me in many ways. She's slow to warm up around people, doesn't like cameras, she doesn't particularly like being handled by strangers, and she hates the phone. However, she likes running and no matter how fast I go I can't seem to wear her out. Running as fast as you can for an extended period of time is against my Personal Mission Statement (except if something predatory is chasing you).

I'm so happy to help her get some of her energy out while not having to take up running. (Something I briefly debated.)

Next up, Dog Park!

Thank you Scott and The Dog Outdoors for our new Dog Wearer-Outer!

Comments

[Lisa]

You look adorable... I still can't believe anyone has ever called you fat. Silly bitches.

[Sheila]

DON'T YOU KNOW it's not safe to be biking without a helmet? GET THAT DOG A HELMET ALREADY, LADY! SHEESH!

P.S. Cute sweater.

[Kate]

That outfit is really cute, lady.

[gmg]

Wonderful idea!! You are both getting your exercise. I do agree with the other poster, though. You need a helmet.

[erika edith]

Lucy is adorable - and you are right exercise is the best cure for a bored dog. We live by Cesar's mantra in our house - exercise, discipline, affection - it keeps the chaos to a minimum.

[Erin]

Is it wrong that my main focus is your outfit as well? Can you share what brand of jeans your sporting? So cute! (And the dog ain't bad either.)

[M]

Love the necklace! And Lucy is super-cute too. Oh, and I agree--get a helmet. :)

[Irene]

Outfit deets please!Especially those shoes! So cute. Oh...haha...cute dog, I'll have to look into that pole thingy. I have a golden retriever & taking her for walks is difficult. She pulls so hard she basically drags me around the block. Not fun.

[Krissa]

ADORABLE! I can't imagine Nano wanting to be that close to something moving ... but it's probably a great way to burn off some of her energy! I agree with everyone else though ... HELMET! HELMET! Please.

The "wanting to eat other dog's face off when on leash" thing is pretty common, particularly in over-exuberant dogs; our friend's dog had/has this and they've worked with a trainer to find ways to curb it, mainly involving giving Nahe something else to do when she starts getting crazy about a dog in the distance.

[Melissa]

You, lady, are a very stylish bike rider. :)

[Pam]

That dog is adorable! Oh, and you looked good on the bike, too!

[Annabelle]

Awesome invention. I'll have to look into it. Do you think this would work with a jogging stroller?

[Ariel]

Yes, I also need to know what kind of jeans those are!
Maybe my dog would like that....

[Erin]

Just another voice in the "you look super cute" chorus. :)

[Betty]

Yep I bought the jogging stroller, bike trailer, fanny pack that attaches to the dog leash. My triathlete hubby has alway had much too specific and "special" workouts to take the kids or dogs along with him.

It's not that they can't multi-task I think they just plain don't wanna.

You look super cute and stylin on your cruiser bike.

[Lindsay]

MAN that last picture is killing me in a why-in-the-WORLD-don't-I-have-a-dog sort of way. It's the head tilt. I can never resist a dog (or cat) head tilt.

Also. You ride bikes in pretty outfits while wearing cute shoes? I am so not that put together it's ridiculous. :)

[Lyle]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Walky Dog doohickey. I used to try to take a big ol' black lab for runs on a bike, and it was a challenge. Hold the leash on the handlebar end, and your dog steers you off into the weeds. Wrapping it around the handlebar stem still messed with the bike's steering, so wrapping it around the seat stem was as good a place as I could find. But I'm going to try the Walky Dog with my son's kelpie/dingo mix, as energetic a woofer as you'll ever find. Thanks again!

And, OK, yeah, you look cute on that bike!

[JennyM]

My husband has this leash that attaches to a belt that he wears when he's running -- I can only imagine the chaos that would ensue if I tried to use that. The dog and I would both end up sprained, somehow.

I'm going to look into this-- I have been thinking about getting the bike back out!

(Also: I love your necklace...)

[Meetzorp]

I run my dog in a similar fashion except that I am riding one handed while holding a leash. Your way looks a lot easier. Ruby isn't too bad of a puller except when we first take off up the alley, then she tries to go just plain bonkers. We tore up the alleys for about an hour today and now she's just chillin' on the back porch. Nothing like a bike ride to work some of the naughties out of an energetic young dog.

[Jaxx]

I walked my doberman while riding my bike except I didn't have the neat dohicky. Abby saw something interesting and bolted after it, unfortunately taking my bike with her. I had this most unreal hanging in dead air experience for a moment before splatting to the concrete. Great fun.

P.S. I'll wear a helmet when hell freezes over.

[stacyfrPgh]

You look cute and remind me of those pictures in the Sartorialist or CopenhagenCycleChic! I am, however, in the helmet category. I say messed up hair is better than a messed up brain. I'm hoping that since these were poses, you would normally wear a brain bucket.

Cheers!

[Melissa Summers]

Omg you guys!!!! Jeeeezus.

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Cara]

The dog park saved my dog's little life when she was a puppy. Seriously. Glad to see its on the list. I'm also feeling grateful that my hubby just jogs for exercise and fun, nothing specialized about it, so he's actually excited about the prospect of our little one being big enough (or at least born) so he can get a jogging stroller and take her along.

[v]

please get a helmet!

[DiaryofWhy]

You both look so happy!

[JRM]

I love how her ear is folded/flopped just so in the first pic.

My former roomate had one of these for his neurotic border collie - he loved it.

[Kate]

Wow, the helmet comments! People, it's obvious this was a bike ride specifically meant for photos. I wouldn't wear my otherwise-required helmet for it either.

[soozey]

Yeah, I have to admit I skimmed the dog parts to get Outfit specs and Bike specs. I read a lot of those "personal style" blogs so it's second nature. Please share!!!

[cee]

No one else has said it yet so I will: I love your bike! I want to get a similar cruiser style bike, do you have any difficulty because it's single speed?

[Kristine]

I tried a similar biking contraption with my last dog. We stopped using it because if the dog moved away from the bike when we were stopped, the bike tipped towards him. Eventually he was too freaked out to be attached to the bike. *So* I would recommend making sure that you've got a good hold on the main part of the bike when you're stationary - perhaps you have very strong inner thigh muscles? (I learned to ride with the leash wrapped around my hand instead, and that worked for us.)

[Joy]

Just ordered a Walky Dog from The Dog Outdoors! Solves a problem I've been noodling over for a while (how to take the dog on my bike rides without maiming myself or him...the lease didn't pass that test).

Thanks for sharing!

[melissa]

The outfit is super boring but I'm glad you like it because that's what I was thinking when I told everyone I wanted that necklace from Boden.

http://www.suburbanbliss.net/suburbanbliss/2010/03/summer-clothes.html

Logan surprised me and bought it for me last week!

THe jeans are Gap long and lean (the old kind, not the newer cut.
The sweater is from old navy
Tshirt Target?
Shoes are those ones I wanted from Old Navy to replace the other ones. They're gone again, luckily I bought three pair.

http://www.suburbanbliss.net/suburbanbliss/2009/04/mythical-shoes.html

The necklace is here:
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Accessories/Jewellery/AK160/Womens-Flowerburst-Necklace.html?NavGroupID=1

[ccr in MA]

"Running as fast as you can for an extended period of time is against my Personal Mission Statement (except if something predatory is chasing you)."

Thank you! Too many bloggers I read are running marathons, and I was starting to feel lonely.

[Jennifer]

You are really cracking me up with the dog posts. Please wear a helmet, though. Especially since the doggie wearer outer is sure to add a bit of danger to riding the bike.

[K]

I have been considering one of these for awhile now, but my dilemma is I also have a toddler. We have a lab puppy (he's six months now) and OMG is he hyper. I knew he would be, but I had a family who promised they would help out. Well, it Triathlon season and I'm pregnant so I am not training along with my husband this year. So, the dog exercising has been left up to me. I hold the leach and ride (yes, pregnant, and after he jerked away last week and i almost fell, never again) that way. I have a bike trailer that my two year old sits in like this one: http://www.amazon.com/InStep-Quick-Bicycle-Trailer-Blue/dp/B00006JHVN

Do you think I would still be able to use the Walky Dog with the trailer? Does the dog stay more to the side than behind the bike? I feel like this may be the answer, but don't want to spend the money if it's not ideal.

[K]

That should be "leash."

[Brenda]

I've said this before, I know, but Lucy is adorable. The first and last pictures kill me dead. Not that you're asking for advice, but I just wondered whether you had thought about trying a "halti" for Lucy when you're riding? I use one simply for running with my dog (because he's huge and too strong for me with just a collar around his neck, especially when he picks up speed going downhill!). But the halti gives you control of the dog's head so they have to go in the same direction as you. I just thought it might be useful for bikers because it would prevent the dog heading off on their own little adventure and taking you and the bike with them.

[Melissa Summers]

I really think it could be. When Lucy pulls it self corrects her and I very barely feel the movement, I just keep peddling.

She stays to the side, the time she got behind the bike because she yanked hard and we hadn't tightened the bolts enough.

I do think it would work. You can always return if it doesn't.

[Melissa Summers]

I RAN WITH SCISSORS TONIGHT INTERNET!!!!!!

[Bianca]

That is seriously the cutest dog. I love the black patch over the eye.

[Lisa V]

I'm really disappointed you don't have an attachment for a martini glass on your bike. You'll sober up on some bike ride and prove the internet wrong.

[yoko]

your bike is adorable! your dog is adorable! YOU are adorable!

[Penelopeinparis]

You are cute as a button. Your smile in those photos is truly beautiful : pure and simple.

[Lisa]

Lucy is so cute Beautiful dog! Boy do I remember those puppy days...it seemed like there was nothing you could do to tire out the dog. Hours spent walking, throwing tennis balls, letting them swim (get a hard plastic baby pool- 2 out of 3 of our dogs LOVED it and we had to drag them out! The other one cowered in fear if she even saw the dang thing!)
At least you know she will settle down, eventually! I remember someone telling me the best weight loss program they ever started was getting a dog. Maybe I should get another puppy? these pants are kind of snug...hmmm

Good luck with Lucy!

[Emily]

You guys are so cute! And please add me to one of the jerks who is going to mention a helmet. But only because of personal experience - my dad wasn't wearing a helmet and he was hit and run by a car and had a brain injury. He didn't wear a helmet for years because obviously he could control what he was doing on the bike! He was a great bike rider! But you can't control what cars do.

And I am sorry for the rant, I am done now. I have never ranted here before and I never will again. :)
xoxo

[Corinne]

I absolutely love your blog, I've just started reading (since the freep article) and love everything you say & do...except this! I hate to be a buzz kill but I feel compelled to warn you about this. My husband was riding with our dog using a similar bike attachment and had a terrible accident when our usually very obedient dog unexpectedly darted for a squirrel. He badly broke his leg, requiring a bone graft and a bunch of hardware to put the leg back together. He wasn't wearing a helmet at the time, so I shudder to think what would have happened if he landed on his head. So, just be careful, don't go too fast and just be careful. Oh, did I mention to just be careful?

[Paula]

WAIT! They have martini glass holders for cruisers??? I NEED one! As always, both pupper-doodle and owner are freakin' adorable!

[Frannie]

This has nothing to do with your cute dog or your sweet bike, but I just wanted to chime in that whoever called you fat is a total moron. You look great in these pictures.

[Scott]

Wow! I love seeing all these comments. Thank you Melissa for the great post. Glad you and Lucy girl are enjoying the WalkyDog. I won't mention the helmet thing since that seems to be covered :) I know I don't lead by the best example on my website in most of the videos (I finally got one myself and it will be in future videos). I also like to ideally use a comfortable padded harness for your dog.

The WalkyDog and our other bike leash do an excellent job at absorbing the pulls of your dog (even powerful ones), but it still makes me nervous reading about someone wanting to bike their dog while pregnant. Please don't attempt this no matter how in control you feel. I completely understand your reasons for wanting to do so, but biking a dog, while pulling a bike trailer, while being pregnant is just too many variables to have to control at once in my opinion. Although chances are that there would be no issues, I don't think it is worth the risk of something unforeseen happening. I think in this case it would be better to find an alternative activity to get some of that energy out of your pup.

I would love to answer any questions anyone has. Please feel free to contact me by email. Thanks everyone.

[melissa]

Sweet Mary Mother Of Pearl I HEAR YOU. You're all pro helmet, hooray!

PS: I'm going on a walk today and I know this one guy who was ran over by a car while out walking so I'm going to wear a helmet and I'm going to wrap myself in bubble wrap.

ACK!!!!

[Scott]

Hilarious !! :) Or maybe just a giant hamster ball

[wordygirl]

Please tell me you don't dress like that normally to ride a bike? Were you just wearing that utterly-coordinated (with even cute shoes) outfit to impress us, like, "well, I just finished having a martini and artfully arranging these magazines on the coffee table, I guess I'll take the dog out for a bike run!"?

Once again you put us all to shame :-)

[Melissa Summers]

Heh well I usually take her out in what I'm wearing for the day. That day I happened to be wearing the new necklace, the day before it was yoga pants. I asked Logan to take the picture the day before but he refused saying, "Let's do it when you've at least showered."

Nice.

I'm not taking a rigorous bike ride. I try to go fast at certain straight aways so Lucy gets a work out but for the most part it's a nice leisurely 1/2 to 1 mile.

[vanessa]

When my dog was younger, before she had hip dysplasia, we did a LOT of biking. Now we do a lot less, but it is great! I'd suggest a harness for her though--that way if she pulls hard it won't choke her.
She looks so happy!

[xath]

What a cutie she is. Wondering if you got her because she looks like the Victrola dog.

[courtney]

Love the outfit and the dog. Please share outfit info.

[melanirae]

Your dog and my dog should date.