Do you like talking on the road or not?

[7rider]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion was. I find that if I ride with someone that I can talk to (men don't get this) that I can go further, faster and have a lot more fun riding. I know there are a lot of very serious riders out there that don't like to "chat" on the road...what is your preference?

Depends on the ride and the riders.
When with DH, conversation is usually limited to "Are we doing the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise?" and "Did you see that?" (NO! I'm too busy staring at your rear derailleur trying to keep up!)
Like IndySteel, I have difficultly hearing over the wind noise. DH, who is usually in front of me, has an annoying habit of not turning his head to speak - and he's so soft-spoken, I never hear anything he says anyway.
However, there are rides where wind noise is not a factor, and the social aspect of the ride is key.

[SouthernBelle]

On long rides with someone, I go 50-50. There are periods where I just like to crank, and times where we hit a section where we can do some nice side by side chatty riding.

[SheFly]

On training rides, forget it. If you can talk, you're not riding hard enough . I rode with our women's group this week and in a paceline one of them was chatting up a storm! All I could think was that she wasn't riding hard enough, so I went to the front and bumped up the pace - that quieted things down .

There are rides, though, that are social in nature. Talking is ok on those rides.

SheFly

[li10up]

I'm not much of a talker on the bike... or off if, for that matter, if the other person can't help carry the conversation. I ride with a super nice guy that talks nearly non-stop. It helps to take your mind off of the pain if it's a tough ride. He makes fun of me if I don't at least grunt at him every now and then. I don't mind conversation on the bike if they are still paying attention and pointing out hazards. I usually just listen in though.

[10ch]

If I'm riding solo, I often talk to myself.

If I'm riding with friends on a MUP or country road w/zero traffic, I'm a total talker.

If I'm riding in traffic or on single track, I'm too focused for conversation and often annoyed when people get chatty.

[mimitabby]

I like to talk and listen too. It does make the time go faster. Of course, on the harder parts, i can get out monosyllables! but there are lots of other times where I have enough steam to ask and answer questions.

[roguedog]

I really like social rides but now that you've made me think about it... I think I like talk on the flats if there's room. Once we hit a hill, I gotta focus.

[mimitabby]

you gotta focus or you gotta breathe?

[SheFly]

you gotta focus or you gotta breathe?

Can't talk - breathing!

[roguedog]

you gotta focus or you gotta breathe?

pppppphttttt

Hey, were you ridign the cindy with me?? or did you just hear me all the way up there :PP

We need more smileys!

[RoadRaven]

I ride with a super nice guy that talks nearly non-stop. It helps to take your mind off of the pain if it's a tough ride.

This made me think of my partner... he does this, intentionally I think... just chats beside me as I mash my painful way up a nasty hill... it takes my mind off the discomfort and I can maintain my rythym!