Headphones (who wears them)

**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:

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

Originally Posted by suzieqtwa

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?

Originally Posted by suzieqtwa

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/Bl...087!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

**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

Originally Posted by pooks

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

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

how to ride with your ipod

anyone try these earbuds that she talks about in that link?

Thread: Headphones (who wears them)

Thread Tools

Display

Frazz sez it ain't a good idea...

headphones

headphones

Posting Permissions