You will need a ruler, construction paper, and a pen or marker
Measure and place dots on the construction paper for the bottom width of the basket. For this example we are using a large Malibu basket which is 10 inches wide.
Place a dot in the middle (at 5 inches for this example).
Place the ruler on the center dot and measure the other bottom width, in this example it is 15 inches.
Draw out the basket shape. The large Malibu is an oval, some of the other baskets are flat on once side like the letter "D". You can do this free hand. Don't worry, you won't be graded on your artwork.
Do the same for the top inside dimensions.
When you're done your drawing should look something like the following:
Place your dog in the center to make sure she will fit in the bottom dimensions. The goal is to see if her butt will fit in the circle. The baskets all open up near the top so don't worry too much if she looks small in the bottom circle you drew. Just make sure her butt will fit. In this example Jersey fits in the bottom shaded area very well.
Next ask your dog to sit and measure her with a ruler up to the shoulder. For the best fit make sure your dogs shoulder is within a couple inches of the inside basket wall. If you are using a pillow your dog will sit up another inch. If your dog is too short you can add a small blanket to let her sit up a bit more. In this example Jersey's shoulder is at 11.5 inches (yes, she's not happy about being measured). The large Malibu's inner wall is 13 inches tall. So she will be a bit short without a pillow. This is actually perfect for keeping her in as you can see in the next picture.
Jersey looks great in this basket. This is without a pillow, with a pillow inside she will sit up even higher. She could actually sit very well in a medium Malibu. Jersey weighs about 20 pounds in this picture.
The next example is for the Cape May rear mount basket, which is a "D" shaped basket. It is flat in the front (toward the seat), so when you draw it you will make the front flat. This also applies for the Laguna front mount, and the Myrtle Beach rear mount. Your drawing should look like this after you have measured the inside and outside diameters:
I've placed Jersey in this new template and as you can see she is a little bit big. Not because of her weight, but more of her size. She is very long. She would be more comfortable in a Myrtle Beach, which is an extra 4 inches in length at the bottom.
As you can see, Leo fits much better in this basket. Leo currently weighs 14 pounds and is much shorter in length.
Leo's shoulder is right around 7.5 inches, which is well within the height of the inner basket wall for the Cape May.
As you can see, Leo fits very well in this rear basket. The front basket wall is right at his shoulder. It's not very important to keep the shoulder at the exact height, but it does encourage skittish dogs from trying to jump out. Very mellow dogs are not bothered by sitting up a bit higher. As always, use a couple of basket leashes to keep them centered in the basket and secure.
Using this method ensures your dog will be secure and comfortable in the basket and you will both have a great time when you ride. Enjoy your basket and get out there and ride!
Jason@beachanddog.com
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Step 1: Choose a quiet and flat space, free from distractions and obstacles.
Step 2: Clip the basket leash to one side. For especially skittish dogs use a second basket leash to center her in the basket. If you're only using one leash then use of a harness is highly recommend in case of a sudden exit from the basket.
Step 3: Slowly walk with your dog in the basket. Give her gentle encouragement. Try to keep this session short if she is nervous, you don’t want to scare her. The goal is to assure her that this is a perfectly normal activity and nothing to be worried about.
Step 4: If your dog seems OK up to step 3 then start riding slowly over even ground, continue the gentle encouragement. She’s starting to get it now. You’ll see her try to smell all the wonderful smells on the wind.
Step 5: Find a bump! Ride over small bumps to see how the steering reacts with this new weight on the front of your bike. Let her know that a bump is approaching and see how she reacts. After a couple bumps, most dogs know that they are secure enough in the basket for it to not be a big deal.
Step 6: Keep riding. Ride faster and longer each session. Always correct a dog that wants to stand, jump, or bark at other dogs. Remember, sudden movements from your dog will shift the center of gravity and make steering the bike difficult to control. Praise her for good, calm behavior.
Step 7: Enjoy your basket! Get use to oooh’s, aaah’s, and pointing from bystanders. People love seeing dogs in bike baskets. You will get stopped a lot and have to answer questions. Try to pass on your passion for riding and a healthy lifestyle to everyone you meet! Your dog will become one of the many healthy lifestyle ambassadors at Beach & Dog. We thank her and you, and we wish you well on your journey!
Happy trails!
Kelly Prechtl
Beach & Dog Co.
Our models: Jersey Girl, Jack, Leo
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Hand crafted willow baskets are well known for their strength, durability, and unparalleled natural beauty. By following a few simple rules, you can ensure that your basket will bring you a lifetime of use for you and your pet, long after a metal basket would have rusted into a bent and broken mess.
Don't leave willow baskets outside for long periods of time. Heat from the sun can dry out the natural fibers while rain can cause swelling. Over time shrinking and swelling of the fibers will shorten the lifespan of your basket. A good practice is to have the basket on your bicycle only when you need to use it.
Don’t overload your basket. Generally, willow baskets with a properly mounted front brace or rear bracket mount, will hold anything that will fit into it. But be careful that bulky items don’t place too much pressure on the sides, where the basket is weaker. If you ever notice warping of the material, then the basket is overloaded. Shift your items around to evenly distribute the weight.
Where you store your basket when not in use is as important as how you use your basket while riding. Natural willow cannot be left outdoors year-round. Sun, rain, snow and wind will rot your basket and warp the frame. Don't store natural willow outside or in a humid basement or garage. Keep your basket indoors at a comfortable temperature, whenever possible.
Most people keep their bicycle in a garage when they aren’t riding, and that may be OK for the bike, but if the humidity in the garage is high then always remove the basket and store it somewhere indoors, like a closet. Better yet, our baskets are handsome enough to be shown in your home. We prominently display ours on a shelf where its natural beauty can be enjoyed. Remember, dry indoor heat can sometimes cause natural willow to dry out.
General cleaning:
Willow baskets should be cleaned with frequent vacuuming to remove dirt and sand. Wipe it afterward with a cloth dipped in mild household detergent that is safe for woodwork. A brittle brush can be used to remove stubborn dirt build up, if necessary, but be gentle.
Sunlight:
When exposed to sunlight for extended periods, wicker may dry out, causing the fibers to become brittle and sometimes split. If your basket looks particularly dried out, you can lightly spray it down with demineralized water and allow it to air dry in a shaded area. To avoid damaging fibers and glue joints, this should be done only when necessary, at most once or twice a year.
Weatherproofing:
If left outside, mother nature will eventually rot the fibers of the basket and will totally destroy them after a period of time. Our baskets are well sealed to ensure this is delayed for as long as possible, but no amount of weatherproofing will stop this reaction totally. The best way to prolong the life of the basket is to keep it indoors when not in use.
Mold and mildew:
If mold or mildew forms anywhere on your basket it can be removed with a bleach-water solution (one-quarter cup unscented household laundry bleach to one quart of water), or ammonia in water (2 tablespoons of ammonia to one gallon of water). This treatment may lighten the willow fibers, so wash the entire piece to keep its color uniform.
Natural finishes:
If the baskets varnish becomes dull, you can usually restore its luster by rubbing with a soft cloth dampened with furniture polish or lemon oil. The basket can be touched up with a clear lacquer or varnish applied with a sprayer or a small brush. Minor scratches can be disguised by rubbing with a wax-stick scratch remover, available at home centers and some furniture stores.
Painted finishes:
Do not strip old paint off of latex finished baskets as it will make the fibers brittle. Stripping should only be attempted by an expert.
The basket can be repainted instead with a latex spray paint. To repaint the basket, first clean it thoroughly. Then brush on a liquid sanding preparation (sold in paint or hardware stores), which will remove grease and oil from the surface and soften the existing finish to enhance bonding with the new. Finish with the spray paint of your choice, following the manufacturers directions.
Simple repairs:
Some repairs can be made easily. To repair loosened or broken fibers pull the fiber so it is tight, and apply ordinary white or yellow wood glue to the underside of the fiber. Wipe away excess glue with a damp cloth. Reapply varnish or paint, as necessary.
Basket liners and cushions:
Basket liners and cushions should be frequently washed in warm water, or professionally cleaned, and air dried in sunlight to keep them looking great and prevent mildew from occurring.
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Wicker baskets are well known for their strength and durability, and for the unmatched beauty and comfort that an expert craftsman can produce. But wicker baskets are not made of wicker. The term “wicker” is usually used to describe the basket, but wickerwork is actually an ancient hand weaving technique used to manufacture the baskets.
Wicker baskets are made by weaving strands of fibers around a frame of thick stems, vines or plant stalks. Fibers normally used are willow, rattan, palm, various species of reed, bamboo, or a synthetic material called fiber rush, which consists of twisted paper. At Beach & Dog, we choose to make our baskets from willow.
Baskets made of fiber rush (paper), paper splint, rope, or sea grass are not acceptable to hold heavy materials (i.e. dogs). They are too flexible and will deteriorate if left outside no matter how you treat them. If anyone tries to sell you a bicycle basket made from these materials use extreme caution.
Baskets made from rattan, palm, reed, or bamboo are a little better than those made from paper or grass, but they have many drawbacks. In order to easily weave these materials most manufacturers use a very fine weave. These baskets generally only hold a few pounds so they typically come with inferior straps or plastic mounting hardware. The mounting hardware will break the moment you place anything heavy in them. Plastic mounting hardware should never be used to hold your animal; it’s a recipe for disaster.
Willow is the superior choice for bicycle baskets due to its strength and durability. Willow’s natural ability to retain moisture make it easy to weave into a variety of shapes that retain their strength when the willow dries. Willow baskets are a bit heavier than fine weave rattan, reed, and bamboo, but that’s exactly what gives the basket its superior cargo carrying ability. You can feel the quality the moment you pick up a basket made from willow. Combine the willow with a steel frame and it will hold anything that will fit in it.
Willows are fast growing trees from the poplar family. Basket willows are special species of willow that have been grown for centuries specifically for basket weaving and farm use. They grow straight, without branching in their first year growth and can grow 4 to 8 feet per year. The trees can be coppiced multiple times, year after year, and will continue to grow straight poles perfect for basket weaving. They typically don’t need fertilization or water after the plot is established. They are truly a sustainable resource. These trees help the environment by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the stems.
Riding a bicycle is the ultimate carbon saver, and by buying a willow bicycle basket you are helping to reduce air pollution even further.
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