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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.
LOL! But earplugs would stop you from hearing oncoming traffic, wouldn't they?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
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
Do THEY wear headphones too?Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
;)
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.
'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.
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!
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.)
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/a...2443261011.gif
http://www.comics.com/comics/frazz/a...6183241012.gif
Me, I'm not so anxious to try out my new RoadID (TM) wristband ;-)
TE
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 --
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.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you saying you think you'd be safer if you weren't wearing them?Quote:
Originally Posted by suzieqtwa
If you can sufficiently hear what is going on around you, then why stop wearing them?Quote:
Originally Posted by suzieqtwa
Sometimes the wind blows out the ear piece....One less thing to worry about when Im riding.
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
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.
I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.
Oh heck, why not?
Enjoy!
http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/Bl...087!7913.entry
I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.
Oh heck, why not?
Enjoy!
how to ride with your ipod
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.
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.
anyone try these earbuds that she talks about in that link?Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by chickwhorips
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by cherinyc
FatCyclist is a dude, btw.Quote:
Originally Posted by chickwhorips
Otherwise, I'm staying out of this one and sitting on the sidelines with my popcorn to watch... :p
oops. my mistake. thanks for the correction.
can you pass the popcorn please?
*passes the greasy butter bag over to chickwhorips*Quote:
Originally Posted by chickwhorips
*crunch crunch*
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.
...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).Quote:
Originally Posted by chickwhorips
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.
And another blogger chimes in from the opposite side:
http://alaskabikeblog.blogspot.com/2...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**.
Hee-hee... very funny. Even though I disagree :)
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.
I did *not* know that. That's hot. Yow. and it'd hurt, too. yowowowow. cartilage...Quote:
Originally Posted by chickwhorips
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.
"The corner of your lipsQuote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune06
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!!!!
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...Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune06
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.
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.
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/te...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)