Life after we took a stand

[1SG CAV]

Hey Fancy as I promised here is my biker buddy nanuk's perch when he rides. As you'll see the blue thing is a car detailing rag, it's really soft. The strap setting on the seat. I wrap around me as a seat belt.  He's ridden around 5,000 miles using this setup. Comfortable for me too.  I bought the carrier from Wally World (Wal-Mart).

[1SG CAV]

Hey Fancy
I haven't forgot about taking the photo of my setup. Will try and get it done tomorrow.

Ride With Pride

[Fancy]

Wow could you take a pic so I can see you set up??? that sounds cool. The more Hubby and I ride with the dog the more people we hear or see ride with theirs too.

[1SG CAV]

Fancy I too ride with my 8lb dog He has been to the last two drift-ins and became our little mascot. I have a little carrier that sits between my legs on the tank. He is the only one who is seat belted on my bike.  We've never had an issue getting him in places. We do have to add 5lbs of scuba weighs to help hold the carrier on. My little guy loves to ride just like everyone else. so he has become my biker buddy.

Ride with Pride
and the little guy.

[Fancy]

The group we rode with seemed to have good dinamics and we all got along. Yes we had the occasional stupid moment but like I said if it doesn't effect me no biggie. But I certainly have no issues just us riding cuz if hubby or I have a problem with each other we just tell each other to eff off and move on ha ha ha.

My thought though was this is a 3# dog we r talking about in an enclosed pouch on
my chest...what's he gonna do, and he never moves or makes a peep. Oh well life is too short to care what others think

[49Reo]

I prefer to ride alone or with one other bike; less hassles that way. Seems like in groups, someone always has to show off to impress everyone else with how immature they are; max throttle with loud pipes around town, stuff like that; by myself, if I want to stop for a snooze under a big old shade tree, no harm done. If I want to put in 16 hours today and 2 tomorrow, no harm done. Not that I won't ride with groups, or not have fun, just a personal preference.

Bottom line, do what you want, how you want; after all, you are responsible for your own actions. Have fun.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[aclone]

My wife and i only do short rides with groups.  When we go touring we have a destination, no reservation, and no schedule. Its the most fun and relaxing vacation you can have not to mention all the cool places you find on america's back roads.

[Fancy]

LOL so true. I have seen those small side cars for the dog but it seemed to attach to the forks even or the back were the saddle bags are.

[chief]

One thing about it, Fancy, you now know who you wanna ride with and who you don't.

I know several folks who ALWAYS travel with their pets. Often several of them will ride together. Some have kennels on wheels which they pull like a trailer. One couple added a sidecar to their rig for their larger dog... even met a guy who had an air conditioned sidecar... he had his daughter AND dog in there!
This is a "recreational" sport after all, so if you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong!

[Fancy]

OH i totally understand. We had a gal with back problems so it was kinda the same sinerio with miles.

I only do day trips with the dog because of the no pets allowed thing and hotels are more spendy it seems if you have a dog, but it is a love of mine so it has become easier just the 2 of us.

[chief]

Yep, me too... and I'm sure all the folks I DON'T ride with are relieved!!  There are some people who really like crowds and love riding in groups. I'm just not one of them.

Additionally, my wife has MS... she might be able to ride 500 miles today, or only 50 miles. We might have to get up at 5am and stop at 1pm. We might have to stop every hour, or every tank full of gas. Its just easier and more fun to do it by ourselves.

[Fancy]

Very true Chief and all in the party were told previous to this particular day but no one had an issue until we got together with the group. It reminded me of a high school and you become more brave when a gaggle of people are around to watch you be brave.

I was offended because of the attack with words not even coming out and speaking to me about it like an adult that was my issue, because everyone has there opinion and I would have rode in the back if it was discussed in an adult form.  Just to make sure I am respectful of them and there comfort.

[Troll]

My idea of the ideal size of group is 1 bike...second choice is 2...

[chief]

Well... a couple of things... Touring with a group means you have to deal with an assortment of issues. You can't always do as you please.

I almost never tour with other people. When I do we discuss "rules" first.
We've traveled with people who carried kids and dogs and its usually a pain and more difficult than it needs to be. We can't stay at this place because "no dogs", can't go there because  "no kids", gotta stop so the dog/kids can use the restroom, crying/barking/whining. Oh no, the dog ran off! Stay away, I have allergies!
You should never just show up with either in tow... its disrespectful at best.
BUT, as long as everyone knows up front and agrees, they have no room to complain. 

[Fancy]

So some time ago I bought a small Chihuahua and I am completely in love with him. I bought, then made him a pouch to attach to my chest so he could go on bike rides with us. It is completely enclosed and when he gets cold I zip up my jacket for him (I look pregnant though lol). He is now 3lbs. In march we were scheduled to go on a trip with a group of friends. I was verbally attacked because I brought the dog. It was first a safety issue for them then it turned out to be really a perception issue, they dont want to be seen with someone who is caring a dog.
Well we didnt care what they thought and opted to not ride with them any longer. So long story short after apologies were kinda made and things smoothed over, it has become interesting how a couple of the people are acting like nothing happened and have asked us if we are still going on X planned trip...we of course say no count us out, and they are shocked to hear that the reason is because of the dog and how they threw a fit over not being seen with someone taking a dog on a bike.
I have been liking not riding with everyone because now my hubby and I get to spend quality time together with out the kids, but the commrodery was nice.
To me it seems juvenile to worry about what people think, and as long as it wont affect me...each to there own...live and let live ect ect.

OK Rant over lol