Joni’s energy levels never cease to amaze us! Today was the longest bike ride we have done to date, using the Bike Tow Leash * to attach her safely to the bikes. (Joni now loves her bike rides so much that when she sees me holding the Martingale collar we use to attach her to the bike, she runs up, wagging her tail and sits down by the bike ready to go!) The whole trip was about 20.5 kms, (maps shown below on two apps, one managed to record the way out, the other managed the return trip, both giving slightly different distances for exactly the same journey). It’s a lovely ride on a groomed trail made from a converted rail line through the countryside, through woods and beside farmland and the dykes, with no roads involved.
We were careful to stop part way to offer her a drink (she was not interested at the 5km mark) and to chat with a few cyclists who were on their way back from a day out, then again at the half way mark in Wolfville, where we rested, as you see below, by the Minas Basin. There Joni lay down for about 20 minutes or so. She did have some water at that point, but was quite ready to go as soon as we were. The tide was high and the weather was warm, but not too hot and the ride was really a joy.
We were worried that Joni might have got too tired, as we were setting the pace, but she seemed to find the average 8 or 9 km/hr comfortable. When we got back to the car she rested (20 kms is a long run) and had a drink while we loaded the bikes back onto the car for the drive home. As soon as we got back, she ran to find her Frisbee for a quick game before supper. Unbelievable.
*Re: the Bike Tow Leash – we have no affiliation with this company at all, apart from being satisfied customers whose dog loves to go for bike rides with us.
It looks like a great way to enjoy each others company Ellie.
It is, Simon! And a great way to exercise a border collie. Though probably not every day (for her or for us) over that distance. Thanks for your visit.
That looked like a very fun day. The scenery must have been very nice too. I miss the east coast!
It was great! The views along the path were lovely and of course the park by the water in Wolfville has views across the basin to Blomidon. You’ll have to come back to visit!
Wow, that’s impressive! I would have never thought that a dog could run that distance, and enjoy it too. Sounds like you all had great fun.
We did, though I have to say I’m tired today, more tired than I can remember! Joni, in the other hand is her usual bouncy self, throwing the frisbee at our feet wherever we go.
She wasn’t really running, though at times she did, mostly she was just trotting along beside me. We’re not into speed, which is just as well, over that distance. When we go on shorter rides (around 5-6 km) from the house (also not on roads, but through woods) we have bursts of speed, and when we let her off leash beside us, she runs ahead, much faster than we go. #bordercolliesrule !
Thanks for the comment, Sharon!
Nice to see all having such an enjoyable time.
It was a fun time for us all, thanks Linda! It’s a lovely gentle ride through the countryside (no roads).