Abbiestar

Is it ( the ET) do able on a BMX?

It is, though probably not the best bike to do it on. If your height and weight lends itself to being comfortable on a BMX, then you will be fine. Again, a gel seat and padded cycling shorts will help a lot!

M

So OH pulled out my bike the other day and adjusted the wheels, brakes, and seat and pumped up the tyres for me, and today we spent some quality time at Ivanhoe Cycles buying new lights, new tyres and inners for his fancy road bike, and a new tyre pump as the one we had was a tad dodgy. Then we went for our first ride together tonight: around 5 1/2 km, in just under half an hour with several pauses for the unfit chick who hasn't been on a bike in something like 7 years.

My new lights are excellent, I have discovered I still have gluteal muscles, and I only vomited once

How come OH gets a fancy road bike ($$$$) and you get bits and pieces for your bike? :laugh:

Maybe a new mountain bike for you is the go!

It is amazing at how quickly you will get used to riding distances. Just remember to do your stretches before each ride, and after.

M

Hi All,

delighted to announce I have been invited to judge the Dalmatian Club ET on June 8.

Very much looking forward to this test.

M

uggghh I need to start training... its gonna be interesting come august for myself and Ella but hopefully we'll make it :) Is there any people restrictions on ET lol! long story but it'll come out over time.. excited but nervous but I really need to get cracking with ella

Hi,

only restriction on people is that any handler must be a DogsVic member.

M

Hi,

The Sydney ET is the second weekend in August. I don't believe that Canberra has set a date yet.

M

Hi Lappie Happie

Glad to hear you will attempt an ET this June.

Start riding small distances and build up over a few weeks. Do this at first without the dog. Get a reasonable bike, a gel seat cover and some padded cycling Knicks (shorts) and you will be fine.

Please read through some of the earlier conversations on this ET thread. There is lots of useful advice and tips covered.

If unsure on anything just ask!

Good luck

M

Also the MV test is scheduled for June 2

M

The Murray Valley dog club is based in Mildura. I guess the ET would be held in or around the Mildura area.

M

Hi Birgit.

Thank you for joining in on the ET thread from Belgium.

You will need to join DogsWA when you arrive and register your dogs here. Check with the kennel association in Belgium about your dogs pedigrees and what registrations you will need to be able to register them here.

The GSDA is the German Shepherd Dog Association. They are hosting the ET. All breeds are able to compete.

Good luck and more good luck for when you compete in the test. M

I bought a bike!! Now to teach Hudson to run alongside without killing us both! Any tips??

Nice wheels!

Start Hudson off by walking him whilst wheeling the bike between you and him.

Still demand that he behaves and heels alongside.

Once he has become accustomed to the presence of the bike, then (and only then) start to ride it with him gaiting beside you.

The first ride should be only to the end of your street and back. Just to get him used to it.

Build on this as his confidence grows and then you can introduce longer distances.

If you can, get your bike shop to fit a speedometer. This way you can monitor your speed, which should be a steady 10-11 kph, and keep track of the distance covered.

Slowly build him up to greater distances leading up to 8 k's.

Make sure you have good helmet, and gloves, and padded cycling shorts or knicks, and/or a gel seat cover.

Good luck.

M

There is also gsdcv and actca as well. Plenty of time. M

I received a ph call from the President earlier informing me that the ET trial will NOT go ahead

murve, this is sad news indeed, and very sudden. The Dog world can be very political at times. Hope you are OK.

M

I've got a question Abbiestar, more a general dog exercising quesition than an ET question. Since discovering that biking with Cleo is a fairly easy way to get her exercise needs without killing me, I want to ride with her as exercise, not just for the ET.

Have you got any tips on how much is too much? Cleo is a dalmatian with insatiable appetite for exercise and running with a fair level of fitness already.

I appreciate any feedback, I don't want to burn her out.

Hi dotdashdot,

Firstly, how old is Cleo?

As an adult (18 months+), she should technically be able to work all day long for you.

If she is of adult age, one hour would be ample exercise daily. It is important not to wear her out.

If she is 12-18 months, probably half an hour. Under 12 months, I wouldn't give much extended exercise at all.

M

Sorry, Rusty is a 25kg Australian Shepherd. Thank you very much for your advise...burning him out or injuring is definately the last thing I want to happen! So should I just stick to my 7-9km runs and just don't bother doing the bike ride around the block 20 minutes after? Thank you again by the way Abbiestar, it's much appreciated :D

Hi R and B,

Burn out is the last thing that any of us want for your dog. Definitely cut out the bike ride after the run. maybe alternate between running and cycling so that the dog is accustomed to both. With the training you are currently doing, i am quite confident you will have no problems at all competing in an ET.

Which test do you have in mind?

M

Hi R &B. firstly what size, age and breed is the dog you want to do this with?

Your training sounds far more than adequate. Don't wear or burn the dog out before you start.

Dogs can amaze us with their vitality and agileness. I have seen dogs with minimal to no training achieve their ET in one test. I don't recommend that though.

M

I'm, jealous - like TerraNik - I'm out of dogs. :D

I have at least three that are good to go!

Any takers???? :)

M

Just took Cleo for her second ride with me - nearly killed me when she stopped to sniff light poles!

At least by about 3-4kms she gets the idea of running beside the bike and not pulling me along! I love how I can see Cleo doing what Dalmatians are meant to do - run! She's got awesome stamina and endurance.

I have to say the new bike seat I bought today makes a WORLD of difference to the butt bones. Glad I work next to a bike shop! They even gave me a discount!

Elise+Hudson, I picked up my bike from Big W for $98 then I spent $40 on a better bike seat. It's quite a good little bike too =]

Good for you!

Definitely a good idea to get good saddle for your bike. You can even get gel seat covers which cushion you. The padded bike shorts or knicks also are highly recommended.

M

You are welcome. Feel free to ask for any advice. There is much experience on this list :))

M

Ok, going to have to really work on my running if I am going to be able to make it! Sounds like finding a cheap bike will be the best bet!

It's a really big commitment to running the ET. Apart from being supremely fit, you must be able to run the distance at a consistent 10-11k's per hour. There is no opportunity to slow up or stop as you must proceed in catalog order, and most tests put the runners up front and the cyclists behind. f you fall behind, it is difficult to catch up. You must finish the test within the prescribed time allowed or you will be disqualified.

A bike is by far the best bet for first time ET handlers. Doesn't have to be a $$$$ road bike, in fact that would be really unsuitable. A mountain or trail bike will be more suitable and don't get a really expensive one.

Good luck!

M

Whoever started this thread should add these to the first post, so people don't have to scan the whole thread :)

Done :)

M

[

Whoever started this thread should add these to the first post, so people don't have to scan the whole thread :)

SA has kindly scheduled their ET for the one weekend in June that I have not got racing on the calendar :laugh:

So how do you enter?

Hi,

you can enter the SA test by getting in contact with the GSDCSA (German Shepherd Club of SA).

Contacts available through their website www.gsdcsa.org.au

I think the person running the test is Jenny DeLucia. [email protected]

M

Abbiestar may I pinch these to circulate around our Collie group. We're trying to encourage people to have a go.

I wouldn't mind doing a Vic ET this year but first I need to learn who to ride a bike.... :laugh:

Oh... and about the bike..... best o get started soon. A 20 k ride for a beginner is daunting and may be a bit too much. Ease yourself into training.

The ET thread from 2012 has some great training tips.

M

Abbiestar may I pinch these to circulate around our Collie group. We're trying to encourage people to have a go.

I wouldn't mind doing a Vic ET this year but first I need to learn who to ride a bike.... :laugh:

Absolutely! Please do. Glad to help.

I think the more interest we can generate in ET's. the better supported they will be and perhaps more clubs will take on the challenge of hosting one.

Bravo to Westernport ODC for doing just that this year!

Let me know if the Collie club want more info on what is involved.

If you go to my website and click on the "Endurance Test" link, the whole process is spelt out for you.

M

Hi All,

ET Dates that I know of:

Victoria:

HVCV May 25

Murray Valley 2 June

Dalmation Club ET 8 June

GSDCV 22 June

Westernport 29 June

Gippsland 6 July

QLD

Mackay 23 June

Tableland 7 July

Nanango/Ipswich 4 August

Nanango 25 August

WA

GSDA 22 June

GSDA 7 September

GSDA 8 September

ACT

ACTCA 7 July

NSW

Grafton 14 July

DogsNSW 11 August

SA

GSDCA 22 June

Lets all do our best to promote these events and ensure they are well supported.

M

I wish we had ETs in New Zealand! Sounds like so much fun!

They ARE fun! Talk to someone in the NZKC. Give them my details (I am an ET Judge) if they want or need to talk to anyone about what is involved.

M