"Avoid using headsets to listen to music"

[Pascale]

I'm in the absolutely no headphones camp. People who say they are fine and can hear everthing since they don't turn their headphones up very loud or wear one earbud belong in the same camp as those who drink and then say they are just fine to drive in my eyes. They don't understand how dangerous they are being.

It IS possible to rely on your eyes for safety - deaf people do it all the time. People without earbuds in can be riding and not paying any attention either - spacing out in their own little world, worrying about whatever is going on in their lives.

When I was a zookeeper and was always running heavy equipment or loud hoses, you just learned to be alert with your other senses.

You know, it seems that many here aren't even tolerant of those who might ride for leisure - even those who are respectful of others, move over when faster traffic comes, even pulls off the trail or road. I suppose that just opens a whole other can of worms though.

I don't know where you come up with thinking that trail riding is inherently more dangerous than road riding either, that one just totally baffles me.

[mimitabby]

I don't know where you come up with thinking that trail riding is inherently more dangerous than road riding either, that one just totally baffles me.

I don't think trail riding is more dangerous than road riding, but the recent murder of a fellow woman biker kind of spooks me on this subject. Was she
wearing an earbud, listening to music? we'll never know but something tipped the scales against her.. I'm going to protect myself as best as I can.

[Nanci]

Which zoo did you work at?

I was a docent at Como for most of my teenage years. Still think of the Minnesota Zoo as the "New Zoo."

[Pascale]

Which zoo did you work at?

I was a docent at Como for most of my teenage years. Still think of the Minnesota Zoo as the "New Zoo."

Nanci, I worked at the Minnesota Zoo for 14 years

I don't think trail riding is more dangerous than road riding, but the recent murder of a fellow woman biker kind of spooks me on this subject

I was responding to Eden's comment, and I'm not sure that's what she was referring to.

I find my own internal dialogue much more distracting - I can focus better with music because I really don't have to pay attention to music, but I don't find myself trying to figure out the world's problems in my head, either.

[SouthernBelle]

I have to admit to using my ipod on occasion, mostly for long rides on hot days when I need to help to keep going. I use hook-over-the-ear headphones rather than earbuds.

On something of an aside, I don't exactly use music or books. There are podcasts available to a specific # of beats per minute.
These would be good for running, spinning, etc too. They are actually made for runners but are great for cadence when spinning.

At ITunes look for FitPod, Podrunner and there is one more that I'll have to mention later.

[oxysback]

On something of an aside, I don't exactly use music or books. There are podcasts available to a specific # of beats per minute.
These would be good for running, spinning, etc too. They are actually made for runners but are great for cadence when spinning.

oooOOOOooooo, I didn't know this was available! I have a hard time finding music at the correct tempo for when I ride the trainer. It's either too fast or too slow. I have about 3 walking tempo CD's, but after the thousanth time the music does tend to make you suicidal...hehe.

Thanks for the tip!

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread discussion. *ahem*

[mimitabby]

Maybe my former life as a musician has warped my brain, but i don't need
an ipod to hear music.
I have tunes in my head always; waltzes when i want to go slow, marches when i want to go fast.

and then there's my husband, on the front end of the tandem belting out "Your cheating heart"
loud enough to scare cows...

[oxysback]

Maybe my former life as a musician has warped my brain, but i don't need
an ipod to hear music.
I have tunes in my head always; waltzes when i want to go slow, marches when i want to go fast.

Ha!! I do the same thing! Except usually it's just one annoying song that won't go away. But heck...I can pedal to it!

[Brandy]

I have tunes in my head always

Same here! Right now it's Girl by Beck.

[Bikingmomof3]

No headphones are allowed here. I think we (my family and myself) need to hear what is around us. so, while we ride, no iPods are allowed.

[Luci]

Brandi, when I lived in Newport I rode the boardwalk and HB pike path on a cruiser with the loudest breaks. That loud screech was the BEST! I never wanted to get rid of the screech because it was so effective. People thought I was flying and about to run into them, when I was barely touching the break. They moved quickly!

Last night on my ride a woman was running toward me with her ipod and EYES SHUT. I kept thinking she would move to the inside so I could pass. Only when I got close did I realize she had her eyes shut. It forced me into the lane of traffic. Good thing there were no cars! Now if I'd only had that cruiser's breaks! SCREEECCHHHH!!!!!! Hello?? Other people here wake up.

I would ride with tunes on a rail trail or unpopulated area. Lots of miles here without lots of people.

[Brandy]

Brandi, when I lived in Newport I rode the boardwalk and HB pike path on a cruiser with the loudest breaks. That loud screech was the BEST! I never wanted to get rid of the screech because it was so effective. People thought I was flying and about to run into them, when I was barely touching the break. They moved quickly!

That's what I need...squeaky brakes!!!

[GirlWonder]

I've used my iPod at the gym in the past on the treadmill and on other pieces of cardio equipment. One time I tried running with it in a park. A small park mile loop...partly a trail...partly paved walkway. I went around one time with the thing and was paranoid the entire time (especially on the trail...which had a few bushes where someone could hide). Despite the volume being very low (and being able to hear the pounding of my own feet)...I was convinced that someone could sneak up behind me and I wouldn't hear them.

I went back to the car and took it off to finish my run. I'd never think to listen to it while riding.

Wind noise can't be helped...but I don't want to miss ANY noise near me if I can help it. Plus, as another poster said...wearing visible headphones might just make someone think you aren't paying attention...and makes you a bigger target than someone who isn't wearing headphones.

[Eden]

It IS possible to rely on your eyes for safety - deaf people do it all the time. People without earbuds in can be riding and not paying any attention either - spacing out in their own little world, worrying about whatever is going on in their lives.

I don't know where you come up with thinking that trail riding is inherently more dangerous than road riding either, that one just totally baffles me.

I've hear the deaf arguement before and I find this to be a bad argument with bad logic for thinking that anyone is safe when using earbuds. A person who is not deaf does not spend 100% of their life accomodating to not hearing. Sure people without earbuds can be spacing out, but people who are not drunk can be bad drivers too - you still should not drink and drive. I feel the same way about the use of headphones - its an additional distraction that you just don't need and you are only fooling yourself if you think you are just as alert with them on. Do you talk on your cell phone and drive too...

As far as trail riding goes - In my experience I find that because of the crowding that one finds on trails with so many people with differing uses and differing abilities you have to be very very alert when you ride on trails. Kids, dogs, joggers, strollers, people who are going too fast on bicycles or riding erratically, street crossings - all of these things mean you have to be extra careful . An accident you might have on the road with a car may be more devestating and dangerous - but the trail poses more of a constant hazard. I know of just as many if not more people (several TE'ers even) who have had accidents resulting in broken bones and other injuries because of colliding with other trail users as I know people who have had incidents with cars.

[SheFly]

It is also important to remember that in some states (including Mass), riding with earphones is ILLEGAL.

SheFly