There is a new addition to my life. Okay actually two, firstly another bike, surprise surprise! But more importantly a long awaited puppy.


She’s a Border terrier called Scruffy, so a small puppy and eventually a not so large dog. As my primary mode of transport is bicycle she has been getting used to (and I reckon quite enjoying) the joys of riding as well.

 She has only just had her inoculations so she has yet to learn of the joys of walking in public.


 Thursday is the great day we get to experience Port Meadow and a proper doggy walk, but she has already been coming to work with me and we do this every day by bike.


 After a walk in a sling she was quite happy about being brought along in this manner, next we went a bit faster on a bicycle.
A head popped out then two paws, and with the wind in her fur she squealed with delight. Now she is used to it and happily commuting in this manner every day.


 But as I said there is now another bicycle in my life especially with her in mind.


 Another Gazelle has been bought. I had to have another one, firstly as I love Dutch bikes, but secondly because I couldn’t give up a coaster brake around town if I tried.


Mainly I am gaining gears, for many years I have been a single speed convert, but with the extra weight up front the canal bridges near my home start to look like Mount Everest on an approach, if we want to carry on using the quiet routes a few gears won’t go amiss.


 It has a luggage rack on the front designed to take heavy loads, much like the dying breed of post man’s bikes.


 She will travel in a basket with a harness which will be tied down, I can’t confess to having an obedient puppy yet but we are working on it so the harness will allow her enough room to sit up and rest her paws on the side but a sturdy enough restraint in case she decides to jump out.


 I think she will be quite happy with our transport decision, if we can walk we will but in times of haste or distance the doggy mobile will be employed.
Friends of mine have dogs and they all carry on cycling with them.


 One has a trailer called the tail wagon, much like a children’s trailer but with zips instead of Velcro so Fido can’t just push his way out.


 Another has a special rod like contraption that reaches from the seat post safely out to the side of the bike and then a lead can be attached, this ensures the lead or their dog doesn’t tangle up with the bike if their the dog decides to lag behind or change sides whilst cycling.


 We are considering both options for longer journeys or holidays by bike as Scruffy shows no signs of wanting to be left out when we go cycling.