Dog Party at the Slalom Track - Crankworx Rotorua 2019
There was plenty going on at Crankworx Rotorua for everyone. At dual slalom, it seemed that for every large group of humans, there was a pup or two along as well.
Rotorua and New Zealand's riding community is one of the most passionate and the concentration of dogs, many of which shred singletrack themselves, seemed especially high so it seemed proper to do a quick lap around to meet a few of them.
Tip is an eight-year-old German Sheep and Border Collie cross.
This Border Collie named Rocky is 13 and has watched the riding scene in Rotorua evolve.
Arlo, two years old. Bulldog.
Flo is an eight-year-old Heeler and absolutely loves the trails.
Rex, a Huntaway crossed with a Beardy Cattle Dog, is 14 months old.
One-year-old Swiss Shepherd, River.
Just chillin'
Taking in the sights and sounds and watching all of the humans.
We're not quite sure how old Norm is but the community guess is about four or five.
Skippy is a year and a half old Fox Terrier with energy to match his name.
Pinkbike, meet Bronson.
Sky is a kelpy and cattle cross, age unknown.
George (W. Bush), is a nine-year-old Spoodle.
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I usually just chase her so she has to run and make some sport and to remind her who's the boss ^^
www.yourcatbackpack.com
I also read George W. Bush is an avid mountainbiker, so maybe that one counts too.
i love dogs. repeat! i love dogs. i am the kind of person who will actively seek out contact with a roaming dog while out walking and have no issues with them being boisterous or jumping up or whatever. i just love them. so... two things regarding trail dogs. what happens if i crash from avoiding your stray trail dog? or even worse, what happens if i injure/kill your best friend in an unforeseen accident on the trails? (with regards to a rider crashing from avoiding a dogs 'movements', i can hear the response now "you should be in control of your bike, mate". to that i would say that plenty of us don't do this sport to operate at 70%. the point of it, to many, is being on the edge. part of the reason people have issue with trail dogs is because you don't know what its going to do and thus you have to reign yourself in when around a moving target that doesn't know any 'trail etiquette'.)
these are genuine questions. honestly, i think distinctions need making on a few levels. mainly, what kind of trail are you on, or what kind of 'spot' are you seasoning? and the obvious... how controlled/bonkers is your dog? i've seen very well behaved dogs that i'd rather be around than some of the dickheads on their bikes. but you're naive if you think its a simple as 'all dogs are fine on trails', because some dogs are simply erratic at best.
obviously this was a dog specific event, it looks great. but it does raise the trail dog issue.
one final distinction is that there is a lot of space in the USA so this probably isn't the same issue for you guys stateside.
1. It's the outdoors....wildlife is everywhere and much more unpredictable (insects, birds, rodents, large 4 leggers)
2. Little bikers who are notorious for making silly decisions on the trail
3. Other offroad enthusiasts on trail or at crossings (legal or not)
4. Wayward or clueless hikers on the wrong trail
5. My favorite...dipsticks with guns and beers who fire into the forest...sorry bro didn't know you were there
6. Skittish horses and their hyped up cattle dogs
7. MTB "donks" all geared up and bro'd up who are sending it w/o regard for others
You want to be "on the edge" then go to a bike park and cross your fingers otherwise be on the look out...trail dogs have been my least common complaint on this list.
Yes, I agree. Be on the look out. The bond and connection between man/woman and dog is thousands of years older than man/woman and bike. Dogs and bikes are two of my favorite things and there is no reason a responsible dog owner and bike owner can not enjoy both at the same time.
managing 7 billion people and their dogs is a headf*ck lol.
Now I think all bulldogs should wear grills.
(I do understand that there is no humane way to get a dog to wear a grill so it's just a pipedream)