Events
1-Dog Bikejor
1-Dog Canicross
2-Dog Bikejor
2-Dog Canicross
4-Dog Bikejor
Place
Yardley, PA US 19067
Description
You can also read the event info below on this Google Doc.
Volancy Dogs is delighted to announce a new bikejoring/canicross event on the beautiful Delaware Canal Towpath along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania (with the option to complete it virtually)! This event, which participants have until the end of the year to complete, is a distance of 20 miles, with a 10-mile alternative for participants who find that they need a shorter distance. Participants can do the challenge on their own or in the company of other mushers; optional group rides will be scheduled. The end of year deadline was chosen to encourage new mushers who may need time to train up to this distance.
The course starts at the towpath entrance across the street from the 1799 House (GPS to Yardley Park and Ride); both the 10-miler and the 20-miler are “out and back” routes. The 10-miler turnaround point is at the Stoney Run Aqueduct. The 20-miler turnaround point is where the towpath ends upon reaching the river, just past Odette’s River House. More precise information about the exact spots to start/turn around (including photos)--to ensure fairness for those wanting to compete for the fastest times–will be uploaded soon!
IF YOU ARE NEW TO MUSHING–IT’S OKAY! I will be offering free training on the specified dates (or within my availability) to anyone who really wants to try this with their dog. I can also advise you on what gear/equipment to buy. If your dog does not currently have basic training (listening skills, good behavior in public, etc.), don’t worry–I am a dog trainer, and I will help you! It will require effort on your part, but most dogs can learn some variant of this activity. I encourage anyone interested in this event to follow us on Facebook and join the Facebook group so we can connect! You can also e-mail me at volancydogs@gmail.com.
The purpose of this challenge (and future challenges!) is to provide dryland mushers in the NJ/PA area with an endurance goal, similar to what is available to runners. As a runner myself, I know that runners have access to events ranging from the 5K to the marathon distance without even needing to venture outside of their state. Conversely, there is only one bikejoring event in our area annually (a sprint race of about four miles). There was an online league where mushers could do various challenges, but it shut down. Our Delaware Canal challenge was inspired by the Delaware River Loop Series, which I completed with my dog Valerian this year.
Our event is intended to motivate mushers, bring people/dogs into the sport, foster community, and inspire friendly competition. Participants who complete at least the 10-mile course will receive a tag with a custom design to proudly display on their dog’s collar/harness and a medal specific to the 10-miler. 20-mile finishers will receive a custom tag and medal specific to the 20-miler. If you sign up for the 2-dog class, you will receive two tags. If you sign up for the 4-dog class, you will receive four tags. Designs have been commissioned and will be posted as soon as they are completed, but I wanted to get the event up here ASAP!
For participants who would like to compete with one another, times will be recorded and tracked on a spreadsheet (this is optional). If we get enough mushers, there will be awards for the fastest times! Proof of times via Strava, Garmin, etc. and photos to show that you actually did the event with your dog(s) will be required for this. Granted, it will not be possible to 100% guarantee no cheating, but we will operate under the assumption that everyone here is a good sport. :] If it gets competitive enough where people with super close times are duking it out, I can always come out in person to spectate and verify a run.
Because this is the first time I am running this event, I don’t know how many people will sign up. Rather than including basic t-shirts in the registration fee, I am choosing to keep the fee as low as possible and offer the option to pay extra for a t-shirt, long-sleeved technical tee, or hoodie. This is a dog sport, and you seldom get a dog-specific award from any event/race, so I wanted to prioritize the tags.
If you are interested in donating to/sponsoring this event to make more swag available to participants, please let me know! My e-mail is volancydogs@gmail.com.
Schedule
All dates listed below are flexible pending the weather and the training needs of the participants. Please note that this is just a rough outline and that it is never too late to start or ask for training help. Follow us on Facebook and join the Facebook group so we can connect! You can also e-mail me at volancydogs@gmail.com.
Basic training is to help people with all aspects of training that translate into more successful and safer bikejoring.
***BASIC TRAINING, BIKEJORING TRAINING, OR SHORT RIDES WILL TAKE PLACE IN COLUMBUS (COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP PARK) OR BORDENTOWN (D&R CANAL TRAIL ENTRANCE NEXT TO RIVERVIEW STUDIOS) UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.***
BASIC TRAINING: March 15th
BASIC TRAINING/BIKEJORING TRAINING: March 22nd
BIKEJORING TRAINING/SHORT RIDE: March 29th
10-MILE BIKEJOR GROUP RIDE: April 5th
20-MILE BIKEJOR GROUP RIDE: April 19th
10-MILE BIKEJOR GROUP RIDE: April 26th
20-MILE BIKEJOR GROUP RIDE: May 3rd
FUTURE TRAININGS/RIDES TBD!
Race Contact Info
FAQs
Where is this taking place?
The course starts at the towpath trail entrance across the street from the 1799 House (GPS to Yardley Park and Ride); both the 10-miler and the 20-miler are “out and back” routes. The 10-miler turnaround point is at the Stoney Run Aqueduct. The 20-miler turnaround point is where the towpath ends upon reaching the river, just past Odette’s River House. More precise information about the exact spots to start/turn around (including photos)--to ensure fairness for those wanting to compete for the fastest times–will be uploaded soon!
Isn’t the Delaware Canal Towpath a busy trail?
Yes, it is! There are walkers, runners, cyclists, and other dogs. This type of environment is the reality for many mushers today, especially if looking to run/bike with dogs on local trails. We should be able to train our dogs and use common sense/courtesy to navigate these types of trails successfully. In fact, I would argue that this type of training is part of the challenge! Initial training sessions/rides will take place on quieter trails. If you ultimately decide that you cannot do this trail, you can choose the virtual option; the only difference is that virtual participants won’t be eligible for the time-based place awards.
I know that people do mushing in the pine barrens. Why isn’t this event taking place there?
We have ridden there pretty extensively, and I plan on doing a pine barrens challenge! I did not choose it for this first one because it is huge, kind of in the middle of nowhere, and extremely sandy. It is also much easier to get lost since cell phone service is poor. The conditions are not ideal, in my opinion, for your average cyclist who wants a straightforward ride unless someone is guiding them, and even then the sand will be more hassle than it is worth for some. Yes, the towpath has more distractions, but it is totally straight, totally flat, and you basically can’t get lost. Keep in mind, also, that I wanted to focus on a distance event, and most people are not going to want to ride 10 or 20 miles on sand. :P
Is there running water on this trail?
Yes! That is one of the great things about this trail. There are multiple places dogs can stop to drink.
What if the weather warms up faster than my dog and I can train and successfully complete the challenge?
You have until the end of the year to complete the challenge, and I will be scheduling group rides in the autumn as well, so no worries! If you do complete the challenge now, you can always try again in autumn for a faster time–that’s what I plan on doing!
Is this event sanctioned by any mushing organization, such as ISDRA or IFSS?
No, I’m afraid that organizing an official mushing race is extremely complicated and not practical for me to undertake on my own. However, if the event becomes popular enough, I would like to do chip-timing in the future (just like you get with conventional running/cycling events).
What do I get for doing this?
Participants who complete at least the 10-mile course will receive a tag with a custom design to proudly display on their dog’s collar/harness and a medal specific to the 10-miler. 20-mile finishers will receive a custom tag and medal specific to the 20-miler. If you sign up for the 2-dog class, you will receive two tags. If you sign up for the 4-dog class, you will receive four tags. Designs have been commissioned and will be posted as soon as they are completed, but I wanted to get the event up here ASAP!
How do I prove I completed the challenge?
If you complete it on your own, please e-mail me/message me proof of your run or ride; this is typically done by recording the activity on Strava, Garmin, or a similar app. Additionally, for canicross, please send me a photo of your dog(s) on the trail. For bikejoring, please send me a photo of your dog(s) on the trail with your bike. This is a “for fun” event, but I also want to set the tone that you really must complete the challenge to earn the awards–this makes them special and not something you can just buy. If going for a time-based award (OPTIONAL), please take one photo before the run/ride, one photo at the turnaround point, and one photo at the conclusion of the run/ride. Once again, I understand that this is a recreational challenge, but I believe that the spirit of competition is universal and can be embraced regardless of the size or level of the event.
Why isn’t a shirt included in the registration?
Because this is the first time I am running this event, I don’t know how many people will sign up. Rather than including basic t-shirts in the registration fee, I am choosing to keep the fee as low as possible and offer the option to pay extra for a t-shirt, long-sleeved technical tee, or hoodie. This is a dog sport, and you seldom get a dog-specific award from any event/race, so I wanted to prioritise the tags.
What if I bikejor/canicross with three dogs?
You can sign up for the 4-dog class! You will be categorized as a 3-dog team on the spreadsheet.
What if my dog doesn’t do joring (pulling in harness), but they run alongside my bike?
You can still participate! You will just be placed in a separate category on the spreadsheet.
Can I use an e-bike?
If you don’t use the motor and power your ride exclusively with your dog and pedalling, just like on a traditional bicycle, then yes, but you will not be eligible for time-based awards. (Photos of your bike and dog(s) on the trail will be required for time-based awards.) In any case, an e-bike is not optimal because it will be much heavier than a standard bike, but I can understand if you only have an e-bike available currently and still want to ride with your dog. If you want/need to use the motor for whatever reason, please let me know so I can put you in a separate category on the spreadsheet.
What if very few people sign up this time around?
The more participants the better, but I will be happy if this event provides even one person a fun yet challenging goal to pursue with their dog! You will still get your tag(s), medal, and any optional apparel you paid extra for. :]
What if I’m interested in this but think my dog doesn’t listen/behave well enough to handle it?
Please reach out! I have trained many dogs who previously did not know how to listen or behave appropriately, most of whom are now reliable off leash and capable of biking.
