Okay -- I just realized we're talking about different things (I think).

I'm new to cycling and don't have the nerve to ride on busy streets. Haven't even made it to a bike path yet.

Right now I'm riding loops through my own neighborhood -- often five or six loops just to get to 10 miles. So what I'm doing is repetitive on roads where it's not unusual for me to only see three or four cars the entire time I'm out.

When I ride with my husband I never use headphones, because we're together. (I'm also more aware of whether or not my thighs are burning, I'm hot, etc., which is why I use the audiobooks when I'm alone -- to keep me from thinking about that.)

I'm hoping to get up the nerve to ride a bike path soon, but considering the other threads on that subject, I think I just got more reticent instead of more ready!