Here we have a nice story from Katja. After struggling to find a good bike for herself and her dogs, she found Pony4 quad and is very happy with it. I have asked her a few questions as well. Enjoy reading the story from Western Germany.
It all started with the search for a bicycle that I can ride even with my “limitations”. I have had multiple sclerosis since 1996 and for the last two years, I had increased problems with my sense of balance. This led to the fact that I was threatened to fall down from my normal bike. I was almost ready to distance myself from the idea of being able to ride a bicycle.
If the little voice in my head hadn’t repeated “There has to be a way”!
Now the search and testing had started. I tested some cargo bikes and some recumbents. The cargo bikes all failed in our, let’s say cautiously “difficult conditions”. Of the recumbent bikes tested, at least one made the cut. So far, I have used the bike mainly to do fitness training in the woods with my dogs. I also owned a dog trailer, but none of my dogs liked it. With the recumbent, this would have come back into use. But then I thought, if I need a new solution it should be a perfect one! This gave me the idea to combine all these things together allowing me to ride with dogs on the bike in road sections or long distances.
At some point during my research, I came across the Pony 4 website and saw the pictures. I have immediately contacted them and explained my problems and ideas. It was a pleasure to talk to people who didn’t see the problems but were already looking for solutions during the conversation. The balance problem had already been solved by the 4 wheels! Now there was another problem on how to transport 3 dogs including the off-road capability with the extreme gradients over gravel paths in the Palatinate Forest. For the transport of the dogs, I got support from a professional dog box manufacturer Hundenboxen Bucher and was perfectly supported and advised. Here, too, everything went like clockwork. The developers of Pony 4 also found solutions to all other problems very quickly. Very wonderful feeling when a plan works.
And what can I say………….. My expectations were exceeded!
Since I have had my pony, I went for long rides with my dogs almost every day. These routes are usually between 10 and 20 km / 6 to 12,5 miles and often with over 500 meters / 1640 feet of elevation gain. All through the forests with not always easy conditions. Now I don’t have to pay any attention to avoiding roads or for the total distance when planning the route. The dogs love the pony just as much as I do and enjoy riding along. We already have planned bigger trips with the pony for the summer. It really is perfect for my needs and I hope that through Pony 4 many more people will be able to rediscover or extend their mobility.
What breed of dog do you have and how many kilometers do they run?
We have three border collies of varying ages. Usually, the dogs run between 10 and 12 km / 6 to 7,5 miles. However, at a slow pace so that the dogs trot.
The older bitch always rides in between in the box to rest.
What kind of e-assist do you have on your quad?
I have the Bafang BBS02 e-assit.
Do you have any issues with the small 20” wheels or narrow tires on the routes you usually take? How about the drum brakes?
No, not at all. I had at first also first concerns and would rather have had wider tires. But so far I get along well with the tires everywhere. For muddy paths, they could be a little wider, but that also goes. I find the drum brakes very good. Much better than the normal bicycle brakes.
Do you have any favorite places in the Palatine Forrest? Maybe some tips for those who would like to come to visit?
Here in the Palatinate Forest, it is beautiful everywhere. For tourists, the “Dahner Felsenland” is very beautiful and also all the castle ruins in the area and Around the castle Trifels.
