[Closed] Dogs at trail centres. What's all that about then?

Their choice / responsibility???

Been taking mine to Brechfa for years, no problems from this end.

would knowing the general feeling on this forum help your flow?

I keep taking my dog out for walks an some ****ing cyclists keep spoiling the tranquil karma of the rural footpath network 👿

My dog is more trail trained than most mtb'ers I come across at trail centers, he also rails the berms better than most 😉

On syaing that he only attends trail centers at quiet times when he's less likely to out ride other riders 😉

It's a nuisance. Dogs and bikes are a dubious mix at the best of times. Dogs and trail centres is just a plain silly combination. High cyclist densities, high speeds and loopy canines just don't mix.

Yes, I have dogs. No, I don't ride with them.

I keep taking my dog out for walks an some ****ing cyclists keep spoiling the tranquil karma of the rural footpath network

Well trained dog and owner at a quiet trail, no issues. You'd have to be a bit daft to take one to Cwmcarn on a Saturday

What tyres for dog-poo?

A couple of months ago i tagged along with a chap at Cannock who had his young black lab with him. we had an awsome ride at full tilt and the dog outstripped us on all but the fast downhill sections....the thing was unstoppable and he still wanted to play in the car park even after a lap round both trails. He never once got in the way and we only had to stop to give him a drink and cool him down a bit. If your in the area look out for Si (on a SS) and marly (the lab) as they will no doubt be pressing to get past you. 😆

See loads at Swinley, I think its a good thing, and to be honest I'd rather people were having fun with their dogs than worying about some percieved 'flow' in my head because at the end of the day if you let something as fun as dogs and bikes worry you what are you going to be like in the future when really important things go wrong like;

*You run out of milk just as you really want a cup of tea.
*You can't find your lucky pants before a night out.
*You'r valves and logos slip out of alignment under heavy braking.

It's a nuisance. Dogs and bikes are a dubious mix at the best of times. Dogs and trail centres is just a plain silly combination. High cyclist densities, high speeds and loopy canines just don't mix.

This - I've had a few near misses. Some people are just selfish/inconsiderate.

Did the dog at Glentress have a full facer, pressure suit and loads of pads on for Spooky Wood?

My dog is more trail trained than most mtb'ers I come across at trail centers, he also rails the berms better than most

I know what you mean! I've yet to encounter a dog that decides to take a rest in the centre of the trail on a corner of a downhill bend. Amazing how often that happens...

Used to take ours with us. Mostly mid week stuff though. Having said that, not many people passed us while we were actually riding and I've never met anyone faster than my dog (was, he's getting on a bit now).

I can see how some might object but I never let him dump on the track, always bag it up and put the bag in an old tupperware box don't want to crash and split a bag). I'm patient with slower riders when I meet them, I think it only reasonable that people show me the same consideration if ever then did catch me. The dog has a good trail head and doesn't chase other bikers or bite tyres.

Deffinite no from me at trail centres , and I'm a dog owner to. Maybe ok during quite midweek times but not at w/ends. There's thousands of miles of natural trails you can ride with your dog on, how about keeping just a few bits of trail ( as much as possible ) for bikes only.

I take mine over to the Surrey hills all the time and have taken her to Swinley midweek too. She rides to heel and does not get in the wayy so I think it's fine (although she does steal food if you're not vigilant at Peaslake store)

and to be honest I'd rather people were having fun with their dogs than worying about some percieved 'flow' in my head because a at the end of the day if you let somethign as fun as dogs and bikes worry you what are you going to be like in the future

Why you...hm, actually, I'd better check the milk situation because it IS nearly tea time.

I was riding glentress the other week and had to stop my awsomeflow as some numpty had brought their kids to a trail centre!! One of them was not even old enough to ride a bike and was being dragged round in a trailer (which filled the whole track meaning I could not rip past them).

The other kid had stopped, was off his bike and wandering around the trail - he was not under control at all.

I don't know how families have the nerve to ruin my ride. 🙄

I'm looking forwards to taking my dog round whinlatter on early weekday mornings, I'm also looking forwards to taking my one year old son out round the blue in his weeride. The dog may even come with us!!

Lots of trail centre trails also offer excellent family walking access to areas of countryside that are otherwise difficult to get to. Some great bilberry, raspberry and blackberry picking off some of them...

oooh, double post

I was riding glentress the other week and had to stop my awsomeflow as some numpty had brought their kids to a trail centre!!

That's another topic! A few weeks ago I ran up behind a proud father filming his..five year old son (could have been younger) as he coached him down...Spooky Woods! I had a number of thoughts about that, but the main was 'I wish my dad had been like that'.

I hate dogs so am probably not the best person to ask.

Lucas - that numpty was probably me and I'd hazard a guess the considering it was the green route and you had no kids with you that my 3yr old could outride you. :p

only witnessed it once, at cannock, the dog pissed over all the bikes! metaphorically speaking..... and probably literally given the chance! 😀

My dog is more trail trained than most mtb'ers I come across at trail centers, he also rails the berms better than most

And follows me on descents that you wont ride. 😉

Taking my dog to Kielder this weekend. Fortunately I'm not a good enough rider to have a flow to be ruined!

Have taken him to many trail centres with no problems but I tend to avoid the busy ones during busy periods.

There were 2 women walking a pair of massive Rotweilers on part of the black route at Hamsterley the other day.

My mate pooped himself and almost binned it when he rounded a blind bend at speed to be faced by 2 pairs of large toothy jaws (and that was just the owners). We then had to wait while they tried to control the dogs before passing them.

Dogs have no place on trail centre bike routes. Mainly because I've had to wash their stinking fetid poo off my bike, helmet, camelbak, clothes etc etc when they've not cleared up after them before enough times.

My post was tongue in cheek, not ridden at GT for 9 months or so. Anyway the point I was making was is there too much difference between well trained dogs (I'm not talking about the ones that bite etc) and children (I'm not talking about the ones that bite etc). I'm sure most people would not be pissed off if they had to stop to go round a kid, but if it's a dog then they get upset? Both have the same effect on the ride.

Isn't MTBing about getting out and enjoying yourself - isn't seeing someone else enjoy themselves (men, women, kids or dogs) part of the fun? I'd have thought so. As I said I have a dog and small child and would take both to a trail centre. I would of course show some consideration and not bring the dog to GT on a sunny Saturday afternoon as I know it'd piss off some of the radcoredudes.

Lucas +1 (but I'd be more concerned about XXXC riders than radcoredudes!)

When this was done before you could have re-titled the thread "Are trail centres racetracks?" - to which the answer is obviously "No".

Certainly in the Forests of Yorkshire managed by FE there are no bike specific / exclusive trails. FE's policy is not to prohibit use by walkers (and therefore their mutts) and other legitimate users (I think this excludes horses and, almost positive, MX). I suspect it's the same in Jockland.

Tough titty really. I'm prepared to share and share alike. As always there's a time and place but generally I don't care.

So long as the dog is well trained I don't see the problem.

I've seen a couple of dogs at Glentress and it was great fun to watch them betling down the singletrack. Followed an owner and a black lab once down a couple of bits of singletrack on the red route. The dog was really quick, despite its low bottom bracket and steep head angle

Tough titty really. I'm prepared to share and share alike. As always there's a time and place but generally I don't care.

I expect anything around to be around the next corner and ride accordingly.

So do we think there's room for trail centres that [i]are[/i] biking only? Is it reasonable to expect the World Cup downhill course at Fort William to have only bikers on it? Should you have to ride that at a speed that allows you to avoid a dog/child around every corner or under every jump? Hardly making the most of the track, is it?

We're (mostly!) all getting faster and faster on our MTBs and we all like to ride singletrack. Surely there is an argument for at least [i]some[/i] of it to be bikes only, is there not?

I cant really think of anywhere that you go into a section truly blind.

When this was done before you could have re-titled the thread "Are trail centres racetracks?" - to which the answer is obviously "No".

No - going stupidly fast is just for bridleways of course. 🙂

Dedicated downhill tracks I guess it would be sensible to expect speeds to be higher and attitudes to be more single-minded, but when it isn't a competition in progress they aren't marshalled...

Regular trail centre singletrack I think you just have to accept that expecting the unexpected is part of good riding, and if you can only go faster by leaving that element out of the equation you might be riding faster, but you ain't riding "better".

We're (mostly!) all getting faster and faster on our MTBs and we all like to ride singletrack. Surely there is an argument for at least some of it to be bikes only, is there not?

Quite, but as this thread has shown that opinion is clearly divided on that...

So long as the dog is well trained I don't see the problem.

That's the key element, and no one's going to put their hand up and say their dog is badly trained.

If you're on a bike, you can't remain properly in control of your dog. If it sees a child and runs up to bid a friendly hello you can't stop it. If said child is afraid of dogs it could be rather unpleasant for them.

IMO it's selfish, the speed of the dog is not the issue, they are, by and large, erratic and unpredictable.

Unfortunately I do think this is an issue where the dog owners who take them are oblivious to the nuisance they cause.

Some tracks could be made bike only, and signed as that however...

Unless it's a marshalled track etc then you can never ride full on without allowing for soemthign to be in the way. The fat-padded-up-middle-aged-middle-manager-STWer who left before you could have stopped on a corner for a energy bar!

The fat-padded-up-middle-aged-middle-manager-STWer who left before you could have stopped on a corner for a energy bar!

Lucas +1.

My dog hates Glentress, all those mincers get in the way of her flow.

njee20, that's more or less an argument against having a dog off the lead at any time. Which isn't really going to happen in the countryside.

Usually if you give a dog a job (running behind your bike being a good one) they will stay focussed on that job. There are no 100%'s in life, but I would say that a dog is at least as likely to remain focussed on what you want him to do if you are leading him on a bike as any other activity.

It is easier to keep your dog's attention cycling than it is just walking, in other words.

glenp +1

My dog is well trained (but as you point out I would say that), he's well trained for walking, running and biking. When out for a walk he loves to go and say hello to other dogs, BUT he will wait behind me until I say 'go and say hello' and then off he goes. When running and biking he generally ignores other people and dogs and if he does want to go then he waits until I say he can.

I take Zed my black lab to Glentress sometimes, only when it's not busy though and I tend to stay on the blue bits just to keep out of the way of anyone fast there though. Cheeky bugger always beats me in the really twisty bits, he is trained, well behaved and loves it...actually I think I might take him next week now you mention it

njee20, that's more or less an argument against having a dog off the lead at any time. Which isn't really going to happen in the countryside.

So what are you saying, it's fair enough for people to let their dogs off the lead, even if they are badly trained and they aren't in control of them?

I've more than once seen people in the Lakes with a dog chasing after sheep off the lead, with them making lame efforts to stop him and laughing about how he's 'a bit feisty' or whatever

njee20, that's more or less an argument against having a dog off the lead at any time

But on a bike you have more to concentrate on than if you're walking. I feel the same about people who ride horses with dogs if it's any consolation?!

My dog hates Glentress, all those mincers get in the way of her flow.

okay okay okay, let me rephrase the word 'flow':

'While riding up a series of sharp hairpins towards the top of the trail, I found it slightly distracting to find a dog repeatedly scampering back and forth, in front and behind me (flow..there I said it again!)'

I didn't say that! Blimey, the STW one extreme to the other filter is working then.

All I said was you can only ever get 100% control for 100% of dogs for 100% of the time if you you don't let them out in public. Which is obviously not going to happen.

So - well trained dogs under control then. Which means giving the dog some focus, like running behind your bike for example.

I'm sure you can wildly misinterpret that if you try hard.

Its all about how well trained the dog is from the point of view of folk like me who don't like dogs.

Njee - a well trained dog can easily be controlled from a rider on their bike. A well trained dog is not erratic and unpreedictable

I have seen well trained dogs at trail centres. They were certainly keeping up with an outpacing their owners and being no problem to anyone else

Thats the key thing. If your dog does not bother me than its fine that it was there. Neither getting in my way or pooping everywhere.

Mangatank. That dog was not properly trained then.

All I said was you can only ever get 100% control for 100% of dogs for 100% of the time if you you don't let them out in public. Which is obviously not going to happen.

You can let them out in public, but if you can't control them properly (which many people can't) they should be on a lead.

Everyone claims their dog is well trained but I bet if they are being honest there are occasions when it's not well behaved at all.

Tollah !! Your dogs a "niche hound" that dig holes in single speeders little patch of grass. I assume you mean the mad dog ?

Well, I know. My dog is young yet and most of the time she is on a lead because she will tear off hunting, which is not under control. I'm not sure of your point.

If your point is only let you dog off the lead if it well under control (especially around bikes) then I fully agree. I'm only adding that giving a dog a job can [i]help[/i] you to control it, not hinder.

how about using that little know/used thing..........................

Common sense 😯

Too many dog owners who assume everyone loves their dog as much they do.

I hate dogs licking me or jumping up 'only saying hello and being friendly'. I get particularly cross if they do it to my kids who naturally being little folk can get frightened or their clothes dirty from paw prints and slobber.

I'm sick to death of the dog mess on the public spaces round here too.

Given a chance I would see a law that ALL dogs in public places are on a lead.

There are a large minority of dog owners who are selfish and love their dogs so much they are blind to the reality that they can be a nuisance.

Rant over

I agree 100% with TJ.

I also agree with neninja!

Crikey some of you get wound up a bit, so what if you have to stop for a dog?

Does it really ruin your ride?

Maybe I'm just too chilled for my own good and need to take my riding more seriously.

neninja, don't be such a big-girls blouse!

Njee - a well trained dog can easily be controlled from a rider on their bike

I did caveat my original post by saying it's totally dependant on the dog.

Too many dog owners who assume everyone loves their dog as much they do.

I hate dogs licking me or jumping up 'only saying hello and being friendly'. I get particularly cross if they do it to my kids who naturally being little folk can get frightened or their clothes dirty from paw prints and slobber.

I'm sick to death of the dog mess on the public spaces round here too.

Given a chance I would see a law that ALL dogs in public places are on a lead.

There are a large minority of dog owners who are selfish and love their dogs so much they are blind to the reality that they can be a nuisance.

Rant over

+1 to all of that I have to say. I know there are some very well trained dogs out there, but most aren't, and a lot of owners are blind to it IMO. That's everyone tarred with the same brush nicely!

Mangatank. That dog was not properly trained then

It was a very good natured dog to be fair. love dogs in fact, but I've also been bitten twice while riding (not trail centres) and only yesterday I was pursued by a lab at full pelt. you should have seen my flow then, I tell you 😉

njee - which is why its daft to say there should be a blanket ban on dogs!

Some MTBers are inconsiderate clowns - shuld all MTBers be banned?

Before anyone says I'm a dog hater I'm not - until a few years ago I had a dog. A dog which was kept on a lead and controlled properly in public places.

I got driven mad by the number of times dogs attacked him or jumped all over me trying to get to him. People would be surprised and take offence when told to control their dogs.

We eventually had to carry a stick when walking him due to the sheer number of occasions that 'friendly' Labradors, Alsatians etc off the lead tried to take a lump out of him.

neninja, don't be such a big-girls blouse!

You just have to be the owner of a 'friendly' dog

Some MTBers are inconsiderate clowns - shuld all MTBers be banned?

We rant about car drivers, but no one's going to say/think they're a terrible driver. Because they're a common foe it's alright.

It's the same with dog owners/walkers, no one's gonna say "oh yeah, I take my dog with me, he's horrific, sh1ts on the path, licks everyone's face and will chase any body who comes near". There's just not the 'camaraderie' against dog owners, it's split loyalty.

Dogs on trail centre trails? No. On Bridleways/natural trails- fine.

Its for mountain biking not showing off that you can get your dog to run off a lead with you.

Sorry. No matter how many people say their dog is trained/well behaved it is a animal after all.

Its an animal/livestock. Sorry they are for mountain bike use not lifestyle showing off.

Sorry they are for mountain bike use not lifestyle showing off.

Mountain biking at trail centres is just lifestyle showing off.

You just have to be the owner of a 'friendly' dog

Nope, I'm the owner of a crap dog which I keep under close control even though it's unlikely to harass other people. It sounds like you've been unlucky as I've never had another dog jump up at me.

Sorry they are for mountain bike use not lifestyle showing off.

Lifestyle! It's going for a flipping bike ride. I didn't know it's a lifestyle choice?

A bit of perspective please. We're talking about dogs, not the four horsemen of the apocolypse.

I've ridden on man made trails and natural trails with some very fast dogs, focused on the business of following their owners, and some slower ones trying to do the same.

The faster ones like to stop dead centre on the trail to wait on their owners, invariably this happens to be on the downslope of a drop you are coming off or just as you are approaching them. Or they will swerve from one side of the trail to the other, usually the part you want to be on, or they will dart past you on the inside of fast corner etc etc..

I've seen the slower ones run between the wheels of their owners bikes, and at a fair old clip.

I like dogs, but not on designated trails or downhill runs/faster technical trails. Doesn't matter how well trained your dog is, he doesn't understand english and he can't comprehend how much of a bloody danger and distraction he is.

Swerving to avoid another person on the trail is one thing, but I'd feel pretty guilty if someone was seriously injured swerving to avoid my dog.

More rules, that's what we need.
🙄

I've never had another dog jump up at me.

What, on or off the bike? I refuse to believe that. It's happened to me countless times off the bike and few times on the bike.

What, on or off the bike? I refuse to believe that. It's happened to me countless times off the bike and few times on the bike.

Nope, never. Only the pathetic lump that I call my dog! Perhaps I smell funny?

My dog doesn't get to come with me to my (very rare) trips to trail centres because he's a bit crap at keeping up, poor lad. He does come with me on less intense, slower rides because I can stop frequently to let him catch up.

I've seen collies and spaniels at GT and Whinlatter keeping up with their owners no problem - not in anyone's way. If it jumps up and licks you in the face it's only dog aids, no need to cry about it.

Can you vouch that you control your dog 100% of the time he or she is off the lead? I'd be interested in the answer 🙄

user-removed - your assuming that you are the fastest rider on the trail as well? What if someone comes up behind you to overtake? How do you recall your dog?

Too many dog owners who assume everyone loves their dog as much they do.

I hate dogs licking me or jumping up 'only saying hello and being friendly'. I get particularly cross if they do it to my kids who naturally being little folk can get frightened or their clothes dirty from paw prints and slobber.

I'm sick to death of the dog mess on the public spaces round here too.

Given a chance I would see a law that ALL dogs in public places are on a lead.

There are a large minority of dog owners who are selfish and love their dogs so much they are blind to the reality that they can be a nuisance.

Rant over

I quite like dogs and I don't generally mind them jumping up at me, but I still agree with most of this. When a human jumps all over you "just being friendly" it's called molestation, is it not?

Yes the worst part is people shouting "Ooo, he's only saying hello!" If I started saying hello by spitting in someones face and punching them, I sincerely doubt people would think it cute!

Can you vouch that you control your dog 100% of the time he or she is off the lead? I'd be interested in the answer

100%, no. 100% is a lot and there's not much I can say that I do 100% of the time.