Carrying the Barking Bookends on the bike

[janno]

I need to work out a way to safely carry my two dogs on my bike. The are Schipperkes, so about the size of a foxy. I'm leaning towards a pannier system, so I can still use my pillion bag for my gear.

Anyone got any bright ideas? I'll possibly have to look at getting something custom made, which is a bit of a squeak in the money department but at the moment everytime I want to spontaneously leap on the bike and disappear over the horizon I have to factor in kennel fees. They are two young dogs and I don't know any experienced dog owners in NP to babysit as yet.

Wish I had two pet monkeys, then they could hold on by themselves . . .

[Kwaka14]

Seen a couple of dogs in a tank basket (modified tank bag with a cage instead of the fabric) which seems to be pretty effective, the ex used to be in to dog training and they would turn up to every competition like that.

[Boob Johnson]

Just like this one on the front, one on the back :laugh:


btw: where ya been hidin :sunny:

[98tls]

Was a thread on here recently and some chick posted up a pic of her small dog in a kind of harness thing on her back,cant remember what the thread was called,you could i guess do the same and have one in front as well,looked pretty good really and the dog looked well chuffed.

[janno]

Thanks for your ideas guys!

I really need some suggestions on who could custom make luggage for me, or modify existing stuff. While loose dogs on tanks etc is ok for the farm, and I've seen plenty on the roads in Aus, I've also heard of more than a few that loose footing and fall off with fatal consequences which would be devastating.

I've also got to think of the comfort of the dogs (and me) over a 5-600km ride. So either a top box thingy or panniers seems to be the most practical, then they can wear their car harnesses. Anyone know of some nifty backyard inventor type genius who could give me a few pointers on creating something?

[eliot-ness]

Get another bike just for them

[Lil_Byte]

If you glued castors to their feet you could tow them........... :devil2:

[janno]

Believe me, if my lil guys had opposable thumbs and legs long enough, I'd have to hide the bike keys (and lock the fridge . . .) :lol:

BTW, those two dogs on the bike should be running beside it for a while, with waistlines like that! Porkers!!

[PirateJafa]

Some ideas for you in here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=58749). :)

[sAsLEX]

What about some simple panniers with a hole in the lid

<img src=http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-052-2031-01-lg.jpg?-session=touratech:5B6CC5061afab07A4EXgp295EE7C>


Something like that, get someone handy with a dremel to cut a head hole out, and to rivet in a attachment point for there harnesses at the bottom of the case

[janno]

They look the go! And I was thinking solid panniers would be a hell of a lot safer if the bike ever went down. What make are those? I'll have to start trawling trademe and work out what will go on my bike.

[sAsLEX]

They look the go! And I was thinking solid panniers would be a hell of a lot safer if the bike ever went down. What make are those? I'll have to start trawling trademe and work out what will go on my bike.

http://www.rad.be/en/c/p/9346-touratech-aluminium-pannier-zega-case-35-litre.htm

Though there may be a far cheaper option available, asking on some of the Adventure Sites or some of the adventure riders on here might be an idea,

[vifferman]

I used to see this guy every day with his dog in a backpack. Trouble was, the dog wasn't small - a medium-sized beast slightly smaller than a labrador. It didn't look too happy about it either.

[janno]

Yeah, you gotta be careful about the way they travel. Like the baby pack with the pomeranian in it. Not a natural position for a dog and one they would get most uncomfortable with after a short time. they need to be able to sit down at the least.

[Cajun]

there is a local guy in tauranga, who has a givi top box which has been modifyed to have a clear plastic section in the middle and carrys his small dog around like that. (aka the top as been removed from the bottom section then a 6"-8" section put between them of clear plastic, and put together so still closes, but its alot larger in size.

[steveb64]

As above - check out some Givi (or similar) hard panniers - if they're even available for your bike... Could be pricey though. :pinch:

The other option - instead of putting them in a kennels - is check out whether there any 'pet minding' services available where you are... That's where someone comes around once or twice a day, gives the pooches a run around, or takes them for a walk, feeds and waters them, and they'll (well, most do) even clear your mail box, and move the curtains, so it looks like someone is still around. The main thing to check, is that they use an UNMARKED vehicle when they do this - otherwise, it's like having a big sign up saying "This one's away!"... :doh:

In my experience, they work out MUCH cheaper than boarding your animals out, and the animals get much less stressed than by being dumped in a strange place, and the boss buggering off...

[deanohit]

I have carted my FoxyXJack Russel in my back pack before, but he wasn't too keen on it. 2 dogs is a challenge, but I think the pannier system is the go. Good luck mate and let us know what you decide on.

[Swoop]

What about some simple panniers with a hole in the lid

<img src=http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-052-2031-01-lg.jpg?-session=touratech:5B6CC5061afab07A4EXgp295EE7C>


Something like that, get someone handy with a dremel to cut a head hole out, and to rivet in a attachment point for there harnesses at the bottom of the case
The cattletruck transportation of dogs is interesting. Perhaps something like the piccie attached, involving your suggestion of rigid panniers would work?
Apparantly the opening has to be clear of the exhaust, so a top, side or front would be the valid options.