Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

[sarahkonamojo]

You aren't alone except when you are alone. And when I ride alone I bring my Shuffle. I can still hear the traffic. In fact I prefer the slightly muffled traffic noise. Full on traffic noise is a little too loud and nerve racking. If I'm riding with others, I leave the shuffle at home.

I'm not the greatest singer, but also sing aloud as I ride. Maybe that is why I have to ride alone as often as I do.

skm

[slinkedog]

I'm one who doesn't ride with headphones/music. I do most of my riding on quiet, narrow country roads and it's hard to hear a car coming up until they're right on top of you. Same for cyclists. They're usually good to let me know if they're passing, but I almost never hear them until the very last second. I'm concerned that I'll be too cut off from what's going on around me if I ride while listening to music, much as I'd love to do it.

JasCali... I was an opera major in college, but I don't listen to it much now. I'll have to check out Katherine Jenkins. Kiri Te Kanawa was always my favorite soprano for true opera... so pure and beautiful and not too heavy. And I love Elly Ameling for art songs and lieder.

[Jo-n-NY]

I inched my way to riding with headphones, well I just put it in my right ear. I was the only one of our little trio (husband and friend) that didn't ride listening to music. I have an IRiver as I heard it was pretty decent and got it with my Amex points. I download music mostly from movies Phantom of the Opera, Pearl Harbour, You've Got Mail and others. This was the third step after getting use step one, new road bike, step two, clippless pedals.

I have to admit, it is quite nice when riding alone and this reminds me, better get some batteries during lunch. Yes, an IRiver takes 1 double A battery and lasts a very long time. But every so often you get a little buzzing sound I guess if I hit a frequency area or something.

~JoAnn

[ACG]

I listen to music, very low. I usually ride alone. I use a small walkman that clips on. Will probably get an IPOD soon.

[AutumnBreez]

I listen when I am alone, which is most of the time...99%
I am on country roads too, almost every ride the wind blows so hard/loud when I haven't had the music I still can't hear the cars, just from wind alone, I might as well enjoy the noise in my ears filled with music to motivate me. I use my eyes often and keep to the road in a consistant manner as I can, and look before I move into lane further in. I will also signal a bit before I look so that if someone is there they will not be nervous of my possible movement that may occur when looking behind me if there is someone behind me. Communication is key.

Rarely, no music is nice, but only very rarely takes place 1% of time when I am riding with another and want to hear the other person when they speak to me.

...if I don't have a spare battery to replace the other is when wind takes its place

I don't think it is bad to have music, as long as you have it to a volume that keeps you safe and motivated at the same time-
much like having your protien bar(cake) and eating it too