I haven’t posted anything in a while because not much happened, as you would expect with the colder season setting in.

But here are some small updates and photos from the last couple of weeks.

Driving with a human passenger

This one happened back in October already, but it didn’t seem “big” enough to make a dedicated post about it.

Someone actually was interested in riding in the sidecar so I removed Loki’s cage and on we went to Fürstenwalde (or somewhere around there).

All in all not much to report except that you really feel the difference between Loki and his cage weighing a rough 20kg combined and an adult person upwards of 60kg. That difference in weight obviously had an impact on my braking power and led to an almost critical mistake. On the way back, as I was slowing down to get onto the Autobahn ramp I totally miscalculated the slowing distance needed and almost didn’t make the corner, it was literally a matter of centimeters before my front wheel hit the curb. Fortunately nothing bad happened, we made the corner and went on with our journey.

Later on, as we almost made it back safely, I messed up again, but I can’t talk about that one here, I don’t want the Polizei come and arrest me. But it has to do with me usually riding my bicycle in the city where I sometimes “bend” some rules and my brain being confused. You can figure the rest out.

Here’s a video from the passenger’s view of my shiny Z.

Bringing BBZ to a warm and safe new “home”

Earlier this month, I also brought BBZ to his winter sleeping spot.

A good friend of mine moved not to far away from my current flat and has a parking spot in his garage that he is not using yet. He kindly offered to host BBZ at least for the winter so he doesn’t have to stay outside in the cold and serve as a toilet for dogs (and probably some humans as well).

I secured him the best I could, I hope he’ll still be there at the start of next season…

Short ride to Wandlitz and back

On the 15th of November, the weather was still quite nice (the temperature was around 10°C) so I decided to go for a small ride. Unfortunately, everyone I know who rides already had put their bike away for the winter, so it was just myself, Loki and his whining.

We pretty much just went out North to Wandlitz and came back.

Facebook groups dedicated to riding dogs

Thanks to the suggestion from a member of a riders’ group I’m in, I also joined two Facebook groups dedicated to dogs riding on motorcycles (or in sidecars).

Both seem to be growing communities and hopefully I’ll be able to meet some like minded people soon.

They’re closed groups and you need to ride with your dog in order to join them, so not much point liking them here.

Loki’s RexSpecs have arrived

I’ve also finally managed to order Loki’s RexSpecs goggles that he will need if it rides in the tank bag.

The RexSpecs are special goggles developed for dogs who see a lot of “action”, e.g. military dogs or mountain rescue dogs. They are fairly expensive, but after joining one of the riding dogs Facebook groups I fell upon a 20% off promotion, so there’s that.

Of course Loki still hates them (pink was sold out and that’s his favourite colour), but I’m sure we’ll get there. Also, in the sidecar he doesn’t need them so it’s not too critical yet – but we started practicing.