Headphones (who wears them) [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

gnarwhal

10-01-2006, 01:51 AM

I don't wear them when i'm on the road going into town or cycling where there might be a lot of people or cars, but i often cycle on disused railway paths, which basically serve as bridleways and dog walking routes and then i pop the phones in and keep it lowish. Dependent upon the time of day obviously as there are certain times when there are more dog walkers and people sauntering about than others.

In the end music can often enhance a ride, but sometimes it's nice to enjoy the sounds of the countryside. Hell i have to "enjoy" the smells of it! Pigs on my route you see!:eek:

light_sabe_r

10-01-2006, 12:49 PM

I've found a VERY happy medium!

I DO NOT WEAR HEADPHONES

I use the loadspeaker function on my Nokia 6280 (which is alos my MP3 Player) and ride home with that. I listen too my music but it's ALWAY's instantly drowned out by an approaching car. It's in my back pocket of my jersey on my commute.

Headsets ARE dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-01-2006, 01:56 PM

I hate it when I ring my bell or call out to a jogger or dog walker meandering in front of me in the road only to find they are totally deaf to me because they are wearing earbuds. Incredibly dangerous and annoying. My DH used to wear them cycling but stopped when he himself began to realize he was not hearing traffic well enough.

Besides, I think part of the beauty of riding a bicycle is in being in tune with your environment- I love to hear all the tiny sounds around me when I ride:
the crickets, the tiny roadside stream gurgling, the birds, the sounds of the wind whistling through my helmet, the dry leaves scuttering across the road, the sound of my tires on the asphalt, the sound of my gears changing and clicking, the scolding squirrels, the hawk high overhead, someone raking leaves, a distant dog barking, the sound of children playing in their backyards...these sounds all feed my soul when I ride down the open road, and I myself on my bike become one of the sounds as well, I become one with them all. For me, it's really a sort of spiritual experience.

guanajagirl

10-01-2006, 01:57 PM

I wear them. I try to stay aware, keep the volume low and plan what roads and time iam going to keep it safe.

Denise223

10-01-2006, 02:32 PM

Hi Everyone!

No, I WILL NOT wear headphones while riding my bike!!

Even with the volume set at LOW, IMHO, it's my feeling that 100% of your attention is NOT on riding your bike AND the environment around you.

If you are DRIVING YOUR BIKE, then you need to PAY ATTENTION -- YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

I won't wear headphones and I won't ride with anyone who wears them.

Stay safe!

Denise

Eden

10-01-2006, 02:37 PM

I agree with Denise, sitting in an office chair with only one ear bud in, listening to NPR is enough to distract me into not "hearing" someone speak to me, so I don't believe that any earphones, no matter how low they are set can ever be safe while riding a bike. In many places it is a moot point in any case, because it is illegal to ride a bike, on the street or on a path, while wearing headphones.

Bikingmomof3

10-01-2006, 02:41 PM

Oh, Kit.... oh, dear dear Kit. What are we gonna do with you?:D

This topic. It's like passing an accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look, you know it's just trouble, but you can't help it. You look.

Thank you KN-I needed a laugh. :D

Kitsune06

10-01-2006, 02:48 PM

Nooooooooooo! Every time we have this discussion, it always goes on for pages and pages, and no one's ever 'converted' we just find out who thinks who's going to die, and who's just peachy with that. Pleaaaase! No!

FTR, I've found music that I *can* play (has enough higher-pitched stuff to sound decent out of headphones turned up and unworn) so I'm using those sony headphones that wrap around your ear (not the buds) and slipping the 'over the ear' part through my straps, and turning it up, so it's like ambient music that cars/etc will easily drown out.
Also ftr, it's my older music that was meant to be played on speakers less 'refined' than these days, so it almost has a more authentic sound that way...
...my Doors, Janis, Pink Floyd, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Beatles (White and One albums) etc etc... ...and newer ones like Nirvana etc.

the external speakers are okay, and legal, I think. In Beaverton, OR, specifically, headphones or earbuds in both ears on any public road are illegal, while external speakers are alright. ---Just for the FYI on official legality.

CyclChyk

10-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Ok.... I confess..... I had to rubber neck this one............... gawd I wish I had just done a none-of-my-business driveby.........

Why can't we all just get along????? I'm gonna keep my yap shut on this one....and listen to some tunes........

DarcyInOregon

10-01-2006, 03:30 PM

I am the friend with whom Suzie had the headphone disagreement. Well I never thought about it as a disagreement. I must be really out of the loop because I was merely astonished that someone would want to reduce one of their senses while riding. It didn't make any sense to me.

However, it is an individual choice, and I think a person can make their own decision once they are aware of the risks. Suzie must be doing something right because she has had only one fall, whereas I've had two falls and dented two really nice helmets; Suzie is still going strong with her first helmet.

I do hate it when people have them on while walking or jogging on a bike path. They don't hear my bike bell and I've had to shout out at the top of my lungs and sometimes even come to a screeching halt.

Darcy

Selkie

10-02-2006, 04:23 AM

I get annoyed at the headphone wearers who are oblivious to everyone and everything around them. That said, not ALL folks who wear headphones tune out their surroundings, as I regularly pass a few who will wave as I warn them that I'm passing on their left. My concern is that you see the buds in/earphones one and you just don't know what to expect as you approach them. Invaribly, some will drift into your lane just as you approach (do those IPOD earbuds have a magnetic force that are attracted to bikes?) ;) I've taken to warning, loudly and often, as I approach and they are non-responsive.

The bottom line is that we all have a responsibility to others when we are using multiuse trails or public roads. The story of the TE gal who could have drown in stream when run off the trail by the "mad aerobar chick" -- who apparently was NOT wearing headphones but was completely wrapped up in herself -- serves as a good reminder to all of us.

If someone chooses to tune out their surroundings and gets hurt due to their inattention, I cannot feel sorry for them. It's a Darwin thing, in my opinion. As long as they don't take out someone else when they have that inevitable accident.

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-02-2006, 05:34 AM

If someone chooses to tune out their surroundings and gets hurt due to their inattention, I cannot feel sorry for them. It's a Darwin thing, in my opinion. As long as they don't take out someone else when they have that inevitable accident.

Unfortunately, most accidents involving "deaf" headphone wearers are not just cases of them jogging into walls by themselves- they are almost always COLLISIONS with others in the traffic pattern due to their being unaware of those around them, and as such, they are usually not just hurting themsleves.
I resent joggers and bikers purposely impairing their sense of hearing when in traffic, because yes it DOES affect MY safety, not just theirs.

roshelleuop

10-02-2006, 05:43 AM

I'm with Kitsune06. I do the same, I store my IPOD in my jersey pocket, and wear my headphones around my neck (wires through jersey so they don't get tangled). This allows me to hear the music just enough to make out the song (and get that extra boost up those hills), but not enough where I'd rant about the acoustics. I'm able to hear my music, people, cars, dogs running after me :eek: , and am still able to hear the crickets and birds.

The comical thing about it is when traffic increases or I pass a school with kids at recess (yelling/screaming), I get mad becuase it always seems to happen during a good song and I can't hear it!!!! :D :D :D

Roshelle from Milwaukee

roshelleuop

10-02-2006, 05:51 AM

And one more thing to add, I ALWAYS wear my headphones while running on the trails (on my actual ears). I don't think I'd enjoy it as much w/out. If it is THAT unsafe on the trails around my house (which is designated to runners, walkers, and bikers~no cars) that I can't run with headphones without fear of getting run down, then there are alot more issues to discuss than headphones.

I do keep cyclists in mind as I am one of them, and run way to the right side, which allows them plenty of room to go around. I also do the spot checks over my left shoulder before passing a walker, etc. I've had my fair share of people jumping in front of me without looking and they are not fun.

But to add (I might tick some people off by saying this), but if you are going to go for a bike ride and you are going over 20mph, I'm sorry, but you don't belong on the trails!!!!!!! There has been so many times (usually men cyclists~actually I've only seen men cyclists do this) that FLY past me at 25 mph on the trails and almost take me out either running or on my bike:eek: . With all those twists and turns on trails, I just don't think it's safe. Anyone agree?

Just my 2 cents.
Roshelle from Milwaukee

DDH

10-02-2006, 06:28 AM

I have looked at this thread 10 times now without saying a thing, but I guess I looked one to many times. LOL

Are those of you that don't listen to music saying that someone that is deaf, should not ride, or run, or jog?
I listen to my music when I am on the road by myself, or when it is just DH and I. I don't wear them on organized rides or with groups, I keep one ear open to be able to hear other things going on and I don't listen to it extremely loud. With that said, I got to thinking about "what about deaf folks". Isn't the problem more about people not watching out for one another rather than hearing. I mean it is a plus to have all senses, but what about the deaf.
When I ride, I ride to the right. I don't go all swervy curvey all over the road, even when I am alone, before I do any turning, I look over my shoulder, to look for anything that might be coming. I think my eyes do a whole lot more of the work to keep me safe than my ears.
The organized ride I went on Saturday, out of over a 1000 people, I had 1 or 2 people call out as they passed, I did a whole lot better watching out for folks than trying to listen because they weren't letting me know anything in advance anyway, I even had folks coming around me on the right even though I was alomost all the way over anyway. So I am just wondering if the issue isn't more about people not following our own biking rules, than it is about hearing. I mean it reminds me of the folks driving cars that think the road is all about them and everyone else better by God get out of their way because the rules are for everyone else but not them.
I agree you shouldn't totally have the music real loud and in both ears with no way to hear anything, but I see people get distracted and not pay attention without music, as much as with it.
Just a thought.
I try to be as safe as possible and would never want to endanger someone else for sure, but I do like my music to keep me motivated but happily ride without it when I am with others.

Cassandra_Cain

10-02-2006, 06:40 AM

Well guess what? I strongly support wearing headphones while riding....on my indoor trainer that is! :D

As for the what if..."should people that are deaf not ride, etc?". My view of it is, well for those of us who are fortunate enough to have our hearing, we should not be making ourselves 'deaf' (so to speak) by wearing headphones while riding outdoors in traffic or even on a bikepath. I've learned that saying/shouting 'bike on your left' is useless at least 50% of the time on bikepaths as bicycle riders are oftentimes wearing headphones.

If someone truly does have a hearing issue, then I am not going to blame them for it. Nor would I say they should not ride.

For everyone else though, not much sympathy from me if I see them out w/headphones

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-02-2006, 07:00 AM

In my opinion, the higher the number of people out there in traffic (streets AND paths) who wear earphones while jogging, biking, roller blading, or walking, the more accidents we are going to be seeing.
Yes, listening to music IS enjoyable while biking or jogging....but even aside from the hearing impairment, it DOES pull some of your concentration away from what's happening around you on the road at that instant, just like having your mind wandering. The combination of bikers listening to headphones and drivers talking on cell phones is incredibly dangerous.
In my humble opinion, music is fine when you're exercising in the gym- it's a safe environment where collisions with other exercisers are seldom fatal.

DarcyInOregon

10-02-2006, 08:37 AM

But to add (I might tick some people off by saying this), but if you are going to go for a bike ride and you are going over 20mph, I'm sorry, but you don't belong on the trails!!!!!!! There has been so many times (usually men cyclists~actually I've only seen men cyclists do this) that FLY past me at 25 mph on the trails and almost take me out either running or on my bike:eek: . With all those twists and turns on trails, I just don't think it's safe. Anyone agree?

Just my 2 cents.
Roshelle from Milwaukee

There is a state bike trail at an Oregon state park where I rode a lot this summer. I asked a head ranger specifically about the rules of the trail, because I witnessed many accidents and I had three very close encounters myself. The ranger said it is a bike trail, and though it is multi-use, the bikes have the right of way. If someone or a family blocks the trail, and they cause the bicyclist to crash, then those people are liable, not the bicyclist. The speed of the bicycle is not relevant because the trail is posted that it is for bicycles.

The rangers said what usually causes the accidents are family groups using the bike trails with very young children on tricycles and toy bikes, and the trikes veer in front of the bikers, or a biker comes around a curve and the trail is clogged with the toy bikes, and there is a crash. Another cause of the accidents are walkers and joggers who spread out across the trail, or walk down the middle, blocking the trail for the bicyclists. The ranger said when they write up the citations, the fault goes to the people blocking the trail, and when the bikers take the people to court for medical costs and other damages, the court finds in the bikers' favor.

Darcy

RoadRaven

10-02-2006, 09:07 AM

When I first started cycling, and joined this forum a few months later, I was gonna use head phones and joined in discussion in a very similar thread to this.

Now I wouldn't dream of it cause there are to many times cars have snuck up on me when I have had "naked" ears...

When I need rythym I sing to myself, sometimes out loud, sometimes in my head.

I find Melissa Etheridge, Bruce Springsteen and the Indigo Girls all have useful songs to keep the beat/pace to.

roshelleuop

10-02-2006, 09:15 AM

Darcy in Orgeon :) ,

Thanks for the info!!! This is a good to know and I will make sure to stay out of the way of those flying men!!! :D :D

The rule makes sense, it's just not fair :(

Roshelle from Milwaukee

THANK YOU TO ALL THE LADIES THAT REPLIED WITH NEW TACTICS FOR ME!!! I HAVE ALOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS TO TRY OUT TONIGHT ON MY RIDE!!!!

Tater

10-03-2006, 06:26 AM

I won't ride with ear buds/headphones for a few reasons:

1) I don't feel safe. I need to hear what is going on around me. Sure, I have heard that headphone wearers can hear what is going on, but I don't feel comfortable doing that.

2) Along the safety line, I refuse to look like a victim. As a lone female cyclist/runner, I don't need anything to make me look like I am not aware of my surroundings and let someone else think they can take advantage of me. Think again.

3) I really don't feel the need to take my music everywhere I go, unlike our Ipod Nation. I see these things everywhere! I don't get bored on long rides, I don't need constant entertainment to keep my mind occupied while I push out the miles. My entertainment is hearing the wind whistle through my helmet straps, the cars whizz by, the happy chatter of others I ride with or the greetings of people I pass. If I want to listen to music, I will do so at home, off the bike.

pooks

10-03-2006, 07:03 AM

Even with the volume set at LOW, IMHO, it's my feeling that 100% of your attention is NOT on riding your bike AND the environment around you.

Interesting point -- it's rare that 100% of my attention is on riding my bike and the environment around me. Same when I'm driving a car. Even if I'm not listening to the radio or music or an audiobooks while driving, my mind is going 1,000 miles a minute, thinking about all sorts of things, hopping from one tangent to the next. I sometimes even talk to myself.

Same on the bike (though I've avoided talking to myself). I have ADD. I can't focus 100% of my attention on just about anything.

Should I stop riding now?

Denise223

10-03-2006, 08:22 AM

I was diagnosed as having ADD myself - and was offered medication for it, but I prefer not taking Ritalin. I'm hyper enough.

Truth be told, when I am on my bike - that's where my mind is focused - 100%!

I'm not going to question "why that is"... I'm just grateful I can focus while on my bike.

But, at other times.....my mind is going 100 miles a minute - thinking of anything & everything. And, I talk to myself too :)

Peace & Love,

Denise

Eden

10-03-2006, 08:44 AM

Are those of you that don't listen to music saying that someone that is deaf, should not ride, or run, or jog?

When this topic comes up someone always uses this argument. I see it this way. Deaf people are deaf 100% of the time so they've developed coping mechanisms that most folks who stop up their ears with headphones haven't. Yes I am anti head phone.

pooks

10-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Yes, listening to music IS enjoyable while biking or jogging....but even aside from the hearing impairment, it DOES pull some of your concentration away from what's happening around you on the road at that instant, just like having your mind wandering.

Wait a sec -- now I can't think about my writing, work out plot points and characterization nuances and "listen" to dialogue in my mind while I'm cycling?

:eek:

Besides, I think part of the beauty of riding a bicycle is in being in tune with your environment- I love to hear all the tiny sounds around me when I ride:
the crickets, the tiny roadside stream gurgling, the birds, the sounds of the wind whistling through my helmet, the dry leaves scuttering across the road, the sound of my tires on the asphalt, the sound of my gears changing and clicking, the scolding squirrels, the hawk high overhead, someone raking leaves, a distant dog barking, the sound of children playing in their backyards...these sounds all feed my soul when I ride down the open road, and I myself on my bike become one of the sounds as well, I become one with them all. For me, it's really a sort of spiritual experience.

But having a spiritual experience while you're riding doesn't distract you? It would me!

That sounds like a lot of distracting things going on there, to pull your attention away from the road and traffic (and potential traffic). Or maybe you're a better woman than I, and can listen to such things without having your mind wander....

I'm not picking you, Lisa. I enjoy your posts and your attitude. It just happens that these couple of posts by you seem to sum up eloquently what a number of people seem to be saying here and in previous threads.

I think it's fair to say that anybody with earpods or headphones who isn't able to hear what's going on around them is certainly a potential hazard and that's just plain stupid and dangerous.

But the attitude shared by many here that we mustn't ever let our minds wander, that we should find the experience of cycling so complete in and of itself that we don't NEED anything else, and if we do, there's something clearly lacking in us --

I think that's a lot of hooey.

;)

Respectfully submitted by --

Pooks

Bluetree

10-03-2006, 02:39 PM

My spiritual experience this morning involved singing the theme from "Rawhide" over and over through three beach cities. Considering my poor, sad singing ability, I'm sure more people on the bike path wished they were hearing impaired.:p

"My heart's calculatin'... my True Love will be waitin'... be waiting at the end of my ride..."

Joy
(Definitely of the NO headphone sect)

pooks

10-03-2006, 02:46 PM

Don't forget Soul Man!

spokewench

10-03-2006, 03:27 PM

I'm one of those people that is really not very spiritual. I guess I'm lacking in that respect. I do love biking, nature, the outdoors, but I guess I'm not really spiritual about it.

I AM ANTI-headphones because I think they are dangerous for the people using them and the other people forced to try to deal with those people on road or off.

My personal take on biking is that it should be fun and relaxing, and my personal take is that I don't want to be connected to anything (like a computer, a phone, an ipod, earphones, etc.) cause it defeats the purpose to me and the purpose to me is TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. I really believe that people are too hooked up these days and biking is a good way to get away from that "always being available and hooked up to everyone else".

But, the real reason I'm anti headphones is that they are dangerous to the person using them and to me when I'm trying to ride by.

uforgot

10-03-2006, 03:31 PM

Now I feel better! I'm limited in the amount of paved roads around here, and wasn't feeling terribly ambitious. Sunday, I wanted to ride, but not really go anywhere, so I loaded up my ipod and rode my bike at the high school track. Around and around in circles with no one else in sight. I listened to an audiobook....educational??? enlightening??? No way, a trashy murder mystery. I had a blast!!! I was somehow feeling a little guilty about that after reading this thread. No cars, no one else, but somehow I thought I wasn't experiencing riding properly.:eek:

Kitsune06

10-03-2006, 03:38 PM

Move 'em on, head 'em up,
Head 'em up, move 'em out,
Move 'em on, head 'em out Rawhide!
Set 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, let 'em out,
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in Rawhide.

Agh! Memories!

Pooks- I'm with you. There's a 4 mile stretch of my route that I rarely encounter another living soul on... and my mind wanders (being there as long as I am- slowpoke!)

Characters, dialogue, scenes, details, random poetry, the piece of my mind I'd give so-and-so "if they were here right now", etc etc... Just as distracting as music...

And I still occasionally listen to my headphones (yes Ma'am, I know...) but only really on that stretch (half of it is a gravel road only traveled by residents and the other half is a very minor side-road, similarly only traveled by residents...)

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-03-2006, 04:48 PM

But having a spiritual experience while you're riding doesn't distract you? It would me!

That sounds like a lot of distracting things going on there, to pull your attention away from the road and traffic (and potential traffic). Or maybe you're a better woman than I, and can listen to such things without having your mind wander....

The "spiritual experience" I feel from riding has more to do with being connected to everything taking place and passing around me. I am a part of all the events unfolding around me as I pass. In a car I always feel slightly removed from my surroundings. (I'm not saying you don't feel a part of YOUR surroundings mind you, I'm just describing here how I feel)
Far from being distracting, noticing the many varied noises as I move through my environment makes me MORE aware and alert to what's going on in front, back, and to either side of me. It's a sense of hyper-reality I've only felt before when walking alone in the snow in the forest. I guess that's the best I can explain it. :)

suzieqtwa

10-03-2006, 05:36 PM

WOW!!!!! I didn't think this thread would be so controversial. I am one that does wear headphones (in one ear ,the one away from traffic). I felt bad after reading all the post ,and went on a 10 mile ride in" Beaverton" traffic without a headset on. My mind was so pre occupied by all the thoughts of the day ,and just thoughts in general. My concentration level was low. I know I'm more aware of traffic while wearing a headset. It may not work for everyone ,but it works for me. I ride to the right of the bike lane ,and turn around every so often to make sure no one is behind me. I can hear cars very well. I never wear them when I'm riding with someone. I wont wear them next Sunday on my 40 mile group ride.
You talk about the sounds of nature , birds etc...well the sound of wind can block out the sound of traffic. A head set helps with the sound of wind.
Suzie

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-03-2006, 06:00 PM

You talk about the sounds of nature , birds etc...well the sound of wind can block out the sound of traffic. A head set helps with the sound of wind.

So do earplugs. :eek: ;)

DDH

10-03-2006, 06:24 PM

Well, I am just so happy to be able to come on here, read so many good and valid points, ponder them and be given the opportunity to make up my own mind. It's all good :D , we are all individuals with varying opinions and points and isn't it wonderful to be able to voice them openly.

I just think you girls are all the greatest.

Okay, slop, slop, just trying to lighten things up a little. ;) Howd I do? LOL

I really do think you are all great though, and I really do learn a lot from you all.

pooks

10-04-2006, 05:33 AM

So do earplugs. :eek: ;)

LOL! But earplugs would stop you from hearing oncoming traffic, wouldn't they?

I do understand about spirtual experiences! I just think it's okay for people to get different things out of cycling, and believe me, there were times this summer when I was chugging my fat bum around our quiet neighborhood on my bike, dripping sweat, feeling the skin on my arms roasting, that if I hadn't been able to distract myself with my audiobook (in one ear) I would have ridden around the block one time and called it a workout!

The first time the air turned cool, riding was so glorious I couldn't stand to have the earbud in and just rode for the joy of it!

But my neighborhood has very little traffic. I can ride a two to two-and-a-half mile loop and see only one or two other vehicles on the road, and I hear the coming long before they get to me, earbud or not.

I can't listen to music because it WOULD distract me -- I do get "involved" with music. But as long as I choose the right kind of book (light, little concentration needed, and if I miss some of it I don't really care) it helps me NOT think about how hot I am, how much my thighs burn, etc.

Now.

How about those Cowboys?

:D

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-04-2006, 08:25 AM

Now.

How about those Cowboys?

:D

Do THEY wear headphones too?

;)

Cassandra_Cain

10-04-2006, 09:07 AM

I like how this thread has gone from being strictly about headphones to now encompassing other things.....namely one's mind wandering....and, does such mental meandering count as a distraction???

Good discussion I think, one we should have.

My experience with this is that headphones, thoughts of bubble bath's while on a steep climb, etc - all constitute some level of distraction as compared to being absolutely, totally concentrated on one's every pedal stroke.

I would probably say the level of distraction and how much they affect your road awareness and peripheral sense - vary quite a bit.

Doing the trendy thing - slapping on an ipod to my jersey pocket and riding with headphones - for me, would represent a huge distraction. Like earplugs they block the noise of the road, but then also introduce more distraction in the form of music. That in my mind is openly and blatantly flirting with disaster.

Other things though like thinking about the lovely sunflowers alongside the road, whether some cute new beau or girl is going to return your call, and cherry pie when you are 20 miles from home - do remove you from that absolute, zeroed in, totally focused space. I'll say this though, IMO you can recover your focus a heck of a lot faster than you can with headphones.

I find the harder I ride, the more focused I am. On a recovery ride, I'm figuratively smelling the flowers, but then I'm also going at the slowest speed I ride....at the far end, when I'm doing intervals, I am absorbed by every pedal stroke, my heart beat, the line I'm riding, the road, etc.

cherinyc

10-04-2006, 10:46 AM

'SIGH' why why why? why did I stop?

ok - here's the thing. everyone has valid points no matter what side of the debate you are on.
For those of you who talk about the music drowning out the sounds of nature...where I live, there is way too much traffic to be able to even hear nature, so it's good that YOU can enjoy it and you definitely should. Basically, I am used to riding in an area that does not have bike lanes, and we do not have designated bike paths, so my only option is to ride along roads that are too narrow, and not very well maintained. What that means is I am VERY aware of my surroundings regardless of what I hear. I just figure that there is never a time where I can let my guard down...so I don't.
I will listen to my iPod Shuffle w/ 1 earbud in (the one away from traffic) when I feel comfortable doing so. It is only loud enough for me to just hear it. Someone mentioned ambiance music previously. It's like that. For me, the wind in my ears is much louder than my music.

Now what I think is getting overlooked, and creating such passionate views from people who oppose "headphones" is that well.....how do I put this.....let's se.....oh yeah MOST PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS!!!! those not currently on, or associated with TE forum of course.
People who close off both ears with ear/headphones? IDIOTS
People who blast their music while riding? IDIOTS
People who say they listen to music to drown out the sound of traffic? IDIOTS

The experiences that some of you've had where the human obstacle in front of you didn't hear you coming because of said headphones? if, when you got along side that same person and you saw they didn't have headphones? you would just call them what? IDIOTS

The music faintly playing in my right ear is solely to give me a rhythm, a pace when I am climbing or something, not give me a distraction. My brain (when its tooo quiet) will cause me more of a distraction.

On organized rides, where any music is prohibited, I find there is usually a song in my head - and it is playing just as loud (if not louder) than my Shuffle would be. This past weekend, I did a 72 mile ride (my longest by far) and the song in my head was Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" though in my head it sounded more like "don't stop til you get it up". Don't you hate when you don't know the words to a song, but you sing it anyway and make the words up? Anyway, after 4.5 hrs of the same song in my head, I would've liked to be able to hit the "next" button and gone to a different track.

I think there are just some people who are oblivious to the fact that they are not alone on the planet, and that they could potentially be in someone's way, or they could be an IDIOT. That's what makes them such. But for the most part, it is still possible to listen to a little music AND be safe. Not everyone can do that.

I should've done a drive by....darn.

cherinyc

10-04-2006, 11:21 AM

ohhh I just thought of another example of how the IDIOT rule applies. I lived and worked in Manhattan for 4 years, and no matter how busy, conjested, or crazy the sidewalks get - there will always be that group (family, friends, whatever) who decide it's a good idea to walk 6 across, irrelevant of the fact that people are struggling to keep sidewalk traffic moving - they refuse to get into a single file line. It's those same people that stop at the top of the stairs leading down to the subway....when it's raining....with 75 people behind them....so they can talk on their cell phone.
Like I was saying, some people are just IDIOTS!

aicabsolut

10-08-2006, 12:17 PM

Better than stopping at the top of an escalator out of a subway with 75 people behind them.

I met an acquaintance for a ride this morning to try a new trail. She had her nano strapped to her arm and her headphones on when she met up with me. And she left them on. She could hear me pretty well when we had to communicate --there was a lot of wind today too-- but I was kind of insulted. We both had pretty new bikes looking to try a new route...trying to figure it out together.. and we weren't in traffic much so not getting into that issue, but I didn't like the feeling that she was tuning me out, even though we didn't exactly ride side by side and gab the whole way.

I know it's dangerous. I can also see how it can help someone keep focused out on a long, low traffic, suburban/country loop. Not just focused on the workout but focused in general. I know sometimes my brain likes to check out. I can do that on a light ride on a horse because 1) no cars, 2) the horse has a brain, and 3) I can get the horse exercised and certain things done on a light training day basically on autopilot--I don't have to think about what I do. None of these things apply to the bike unless you're lucky with #1 or until I get many years' experience (re: #3). So something upbeat to keep me tuned in to what I'm doing could be a good thing sometimes. (Note: I do not plan on doing this around my high traffic area. Ever.)

PscyclePath

10-12-2006, 04:58 AM

Jef Mallett's cartoon "Frazz" (probably one of the most cycling friendly comics in print these days, haz been weighing in on this the past couple of days:

http://www.comics.com/comics/frazz/archive/images/frazz2002443261011.gif

http://www.comics.com/comics/frazz/archive/images/frazz2006183241012.gif

Me, I'm not so anxious to try out my new RoadID (TM) wristband ;-)

TE

Pascale

10-12-2006, 05:19 AM

Personally, I think responsible, courteous people are that with or without headphones, and those who aren't courteous people are the same with or without headphones.

I do wear them on the railtrails - I wear them when it's not busy (and it rarely is when I go). I don't enjoy listening to my own breathing, it simply makes my mind think about whatever problems are on my mind and that is REALLY distracting to me PERSONALLY. Nobody sneaks up behind me, I have a mirror. When someone approaches me from behind, I physically acknowledge them so they don't have to guess whether or not I know they are there. I keep my head up, I look around, if I look like a victim with them, I'm going to look like one without them too - I'm not spacing out and watching my tires roll. I've heard the deer rustling before they've wandered onto the trail with my headphones on - and they are the most likely obstacle I'm ever going to run into on these trails.

I've been stuck behind (usually men) on a leisurely ride who are yapping with each other riding side by side that I can't pass. No, they don't have headphones on, but I guarantee they are far more oblivious to their surroundings than I am.

I don't ever wear them on public roads. I wouldn't wear them when the rail trails are busy. I have been treated far less courteously than I've ever treated anyone else on the trail --

Mimosa

10-12-2006, 05:57 AM

I tried it but I didn't like it. I missed out on to much of those little noises that the other traffice makes. So I opted to no longer do it.

suzieqtwa

10-12-2006, 09:19 AM

Pascale.............Good point about being just plain courteous, with or without headphones.
I did a 46 mile Charity ride this Sunday ,and there were 2 road bikes side by side ahead of me ,obviously bored with the ride ,just chatting. I was behind them on my hybrid just trying to gain speed to get up this steep hill I was looking at. They were oblivious that I was even behind them ,and kept on chatting.
After all the reading on this subject I chose not to wear headphones anymore...not because of the chirping birds ,or "spiritual experience" I may have ,but for my family ,pets ,and I'm going to be a Grandma in February.
I do believe when I wore headsets I could hear what was going on around me. I had them low ,and I was always riding to the right ,and checking behind me. Bikers get hit around here on a daily basis ,and I don't want to be one of them.
Suzie GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-12-2006, 10:42 AM

After all the reading on this subject I chose not to wear headphones anymore...not because of the chirping birds ,or "spiritual experience" I may have ,but for my family ,pets ,and I'm going to be a Grandma in February.

Are you saying you think you'd be safer if you weren't wearing them?

I do believe when I wore headsets I could hear what was going on around me. I had them low ,and I was always riding to the right ,and checking behind me.

If you can sufficiently hear what is going on around you, then why stop wearing them?

suzieqtwa

10-12-2006, 04:40 PM

Sometimes the wind blows out the ear piece....One less thing to worry about when Im riding.

bikegoddess

10-12-2006, 07:33 PM

Hey there,

I am new here and thought I'd relpy to a few things to get into the fray.

When I ride, it's *me* time. Not time to think about my problems, kids, husband, or the world. Music makes me think. I listen to the sounds around me (cars coming up from behind) and this season I watch leaves fall and think 'cud here comes that danged hill again'.

I have not read other posts yet but I think headphones are not a good idea when riding on the road.

Lisa

Grog

10-12-2006, 08:35 PM

I read an interesting note in a bike magazine (can't remember which) that reported research findings: according to them, listening to music with just one ear was even more confusing for the brain and could lead to even more difficulties...

Oh well.

pooks

10-13-2006, 06:03 AM

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!B26536EE8298D087!7913.entry

pooks

10-13-2006, 06:04 AM

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

how to ride with your ipod (http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!B26536EE8298D087!7913.entry)

chickwhorips

10-13-2006, 11:13 AM

pooks i like the link!

i am one that rides with an ipod some days other days not. but then again, i don't really have traffic or people to deal with. if i was in the city it may be a different story.

lph

10-13-2006, 12:19 PM

Great link, and very funny! I've been wondering whether to pipe up or not, but here goes:

I ride with an Ipod(-like thing). With earpieces made of little tubes of foam that go right into my ear. In traffic, every day.

I know some of you will think I'm nuts anyway for doing this, but fact is I've "trained myself" to ride with earpieces. To begin with the music was fun but distracting, and I only used one earpiece with the music very low, or took them out when I got to the parts of my commute with traffic. I found out gradually how I could use them and still feel on top of things.

I don't play very loud, quiet enough to hear traffic but obviously not as much as without. I rarely change my playlist, and am quite capable of mentally tuning out the music to concentrate on something else. I look around all the time, especially glance behind me a lot, and so help me, I have a better overview of traffic than most other cyclists out on the road with me. I keep to my side. I ride in a straight line. I give obvious hand signals.

And not least, this is on the same roads and the same commute every single day. If I'm riding in unknown territory where I could get lost or I don't know the traffic pattern out the earpieces go.

I still agree that in general earphones and traffic are a bad idea, if you're not used to wearing them you will be distracted. But it is possible to reduce the distraction level a lot.

PS. While I wouldn't actually say that music makes me concentrate more, I am more likely to let my mind wander on a long bike ride without music or with relaxing music. In traffic upbeat music keeps me more in tune with "thinking fast" and paying attention.

chickwhorips

10-13-2006, 01:09 PM

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

how to ride with your ipod (http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!B26536EE8298D087!7913.entry)

anyone try these earbuds (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Twist-Stereo-Headphones-Green/dp/B000FJEYZS/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/104-1566861-7352723?ie=UTF8) that she talks about in that link?

cherinyc

10-13-2006, 02:07 PM

anyone try these earbuds (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Twist-Stereo-Headphones-Green/dp/B000FJEYZS/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/104-1566861-7352723?ie=UTF8) that she talks about in that link?

chick - I emailed my BF the amazon page of those earphones, and he likes them. He thinks we should give them a try. Personally, the ones that came with my iPod Shuffle are very uncomfortable, so anything would be better. Will let you know if we do try them.

chickwhorips

10-13-2006, 02:19 PM

chick - I emailed my BF the amazon page of those earphones, and he likes them. He thinks we should give them a try. Personally, the ones that came with my iPod Shuffle are very uncomfortable, so anything would be better. Will let you know if we do try them.

i have rings on the insides of my ears and always have problems with earbuds or ear plugs staying in..... think i'll give these a try. thanks!

Dianyla

10-13-2006, 02:29 PM

anyone try these earbuds (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Twist-Stereo-Headphones-Green/dp/B000FJEYZS/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/104-1566861-7352723?ie=UTF8) that she talks about in that link?
FatCyclist is a dude, btw.

Otherwise, I'm staying out of this one and sitting on the sidelines with my popcorn to watch... :p

chickwhorips

10-13-2006, 02:43 PM

oops. my mistake. thanks for the correction.

can you pass the popcorn please?

Dianyla

10-13-2006, 04:39 PM

can you pass the popcorn please?
*passes the greasy butter bag over to chickwhorips*

*crunch crunch*

chickwhorips

10-14-2006, 11:53 AM

mmm.... good.

(i ordered those headphones, when i get them i'll let anyone who wants to know how they worked out.)

hopefully i don't get butter on my new ipod.

cherinyc

10-15-2006, 04:47 PM

i have rings on the insides of my ears and always have problems with earbuds or ear plugs staying in..... think i'll give these a try. thanks!

...rings on the insides? I have a ring...as a tragus piercing. Is that what you mean? I can't use an earbud in my left ear for that reason (too sensitive).

chickwhorips

10-16-2006, 11:09 AM

no its not that one, i have a daith piercing. the ring sits in the inside of my ear and you can only see it from the side.

pooks

10-18-2006, 04:30 AM

And another blogger chimes in from the opposite side:

http://alaskabikeblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/listen-up.html

Hell, you might as well smear globs of Vaseline over your sunglasses, too. Go ahead, order the big plate of glaucoma with a side order of deafness. That way, you won’t be distracted by the sight of the ground rushing toward you as you wonder what that hot, roaring, metallic thing is that just attached itself to your a**.

lph

10-18-2006, 10:18 PM

Hee-hee... very funny. Even though I disagree :)

BeeLady

11-04-2006, 03:04 PM

The only time I absolutely MUST wear my earbuds and listen to my iPod is when I am mowing the lawn on my riding mower:

1. Layer one - earbuds
2. layer two - dust retarding bandana
3. layer three - sound deterent full-body headphones (used on rifle ranges)
4. layer four - sun bonnet (like the ones worn in pioneer days) to keep sun off face:cool:
5. iPod stuck in top of my cowboy boots (not really - in my jean's pocket)

(I know Apple is secretly trying to track me down and use me for a Tv commercial in this get-up)

Other than that, I can function without my iPod in most situations, especially while on my bike.

Kitsune06

11-04-2006, 04:30 PM

no its not that one, i have a daith piercing. the ring sits in the inside of my ear and you can only see it from the side.

I did *not* know that. That's hot. Yow. and it'd hurt, too. yowowowow. cartilage...

On the topic- I don't think anyone will truly change their habits based on the opinions of those on this thread. If I'm going on a long ride in boring territory (empty parks, etc) I play music just so it's audible and cues my memory as to what the song is. (or I end up looping one song for freakin' ever and then it gets stuck in my head, thank-you-very-much-Knot for U2.

KnottedYet

11-04-2006, 05:02 PM

(or I end up looping one song for freakin' ever and then it gets stuck in my head, thank-you-very-much-Knot for U2.

"The corner of your lips
is the orbit of your hips
eclipse
you elevate my soul
I've got no self control..."

Now it will be stuck in your head even MORE!!!!

lph

11-05-2006, 12:22 AM

On the topic- I don't think anyone will truly change their habits based on the opinions of those on this thread.

I agree with this, but it can be useful to hear other people's opinions sometimes. I was surprised by how many of you were downright annoyed that OTHER cyclists wear headphones. Which doesn't bother me or change my opinion - I know full well how much I notice or don't notice in traffic - but tips me off that other people I meet may treat me badly in traffic solely because I'm wearing headphones. Pissing people off is rarely a good idea, especially if they're driving a SUV and you're sharing a lane with them...

Which reminds me of an online discussion I once read, where a couple of taxi drivers went completely ballistic over cyclists in Oslo. I've given taxis a wider berth ever since, no need to tempt fate.

Kitsune06

11-05-2006, 05:21 AM

white iPod headphones are rarely a good idea. First, they're more visible, so if someone has a bird because you're wearing headphones, they can see 'em that much better :P Second, they were acutally listed as a top reason why people got mugged in NYC. White headphones=iPods, and muggers were going for iPods. Lovely.
My headset is dark blue and hooks over my ears. The speakers juuust fit into my ear, and I run the cord into the neck of my collar, the iPod (when I had one...) went into my "napoleon" pocket.

pll

11-05-2006, 06:10 AM

OK. This is a long discussion and, as Kitsune remarked, nobody will change opinion. I am one of those people who only uses headphones in airplanes -- I cannot stand them anywhere else. In part, I think they are a little bit dangerous, in part because I enjoy exercising and hearing the surrounding sounds. I agree with Cherinyc that the "idiot rule" applies and it is usually people that swerve unexpectedly while they ride hearing music (or talk on their cell phone). But it can also be someone who, if aware that someone is behind, would move a little further right on a bike path so they can be passed safely. Sometimes a bell and an "on your left!" are not enough.

Anyway, with my rant out of the way, a couple of days ago I saw the following product featured in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/02/technology/02headphones.html?ref=technology

If you click on the link to the MacFriends site, there is an Ipod bike mount that looks cool, too (if I ever decide to listen to music and actually buy an iPod)