Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

[yellow]

I find this whole need to listen to music whilst engaging in physical activities baffling.

Don't get me wrong...I LIKE music, but when I'm outside running or cycling or skiing, I'd rather be fully in tune with my surroundings in a spiritual sense (as well as for safety reasons-we have very large kitties here ). Why block it out or distract from it? I just don't get it. I guess it's just one of those things that's WAY over my head.

Does it provide motivation? Does it distract from pain you might be feeling? Does it make the time go by faster? Does it enhance your wilderness experience? I mean, there has to be SOMETHING to it otherwise so many people wouldn't do it.

To use a non-cycling example, I've noticed over the last couple of years that ski resorts have really jumped on the must-have-music bandwagon, to the point of it being amplified across half the mountain. Plus it seems that the ski resort parking lots have really become a boom-boom fest, mostly younger people playing music very loudly that is hardly musical while they suit up. When I'm in the mountains, I want to listen to the mountains, not Popular-Rappuh-O'-Da-Month. So more and more I go into the backcountry and listen to the real music of the mountains.

[archibella]

Lol, I have been curious about this topic too-- as I've just started cycling. Personally I decided that I didn't feel safe enough. But if someone wants to ride with headphones-- I won't tell them stop. I may choose not to ride so closely though, lol.

I had to share this 'sighting' with you ladies though (As I said, I'm a newbie, so if this is usual my apologies): On a weekly ride that I do, typically 50+ people go. It's a blast-- you meet lots of people, etc. The last two rides-- there's a guy hauling one of those baby trailer deals-- with a stereo/boombox in it! I think it's pretty funny-- but I definitely don't complain when I hear the strains of a cool song drifting my way

cheers!

[sarahkonamojo]

Why headphones? Because I don't want to listen to other people's music. I really don't like the car as boom box phenomena, but the ski resorts are trying to attract those specific customers. At the ski area headphones. In the BC none. Kind of like in the exurbs: headphones. Out in the wilds: none.

Nothing beats hearing the canyon wren or the rush of the river or the crashing of waves. A close second is listening to a personally significant soundtrack while watching stars race across the Arizona sky. To each her own.

There are dangers to all outdoor activities. Riding a bike is dangerous. Certainly, listening to music while riding is also dangerous. Sadly, a young skier was killed by a snow machine this year while training on a race course. Seemed like everyone wanted to blame the headphones she had around her NECK... Everyone has to evaluate there own comfort level. Shouldn't we treat all other riders with caution.

Sarah

[betagirl]

I'm strictly a roadie, so I don't get into a whole lot of wilderness on my rides. I ride farm roads mostly, so I guess I could take in some 'moos' from the cows For me, riding to tunes helps me go further. I adjust my speed/cadence to the beat of the music when I'm out by myself. When I'm in traffic, I usually shut the music off or turn it down as low as possible so I can hear. I've been doing this 7 years and never had a problem (knock on wood). I understand the side that this is dangerous/stupid/crazy/etc. But for me, I enjoy my solo rides more to tunes.

[Kathi]

Sorry to break the bad news to those of you who live in Colorado, but, like California, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and earphones are illegal when operating a vehicle in Colorado too.

I've been seeing more and more riders with earphones. They worry me because they don't acknowledge me when I pass, most of them don't hear me when I yell, on your left! I don't worry about them getting hurt if they swerve and hit me, that's their problem, but I do care if I get hurt!

Kathi

[joyrider]

The "on your left" thing doesn't really work when the person you're talking to can't hear you. I've had a different experience - riding frequently on the heavily used Los Gatos Creek Trail, I have many times encountered joggers, sometimes with strollers, who give no response to my signaling that I want to pass - and then when I do pass, I see that they're wearing headphones...
But I'm torn, because I think music would perk me up on a long ride, too. However, I think the bottom line is that even though I think it would be satisfying to combine the pleasure of riding with the pleasure of listening to music, I rely on my ears to tell me what dangers are around me, like it or not. And if I weigh riding with no tunes against being hit by a car or God forbid injuring someone else, no tunes wins.
I have been considering the boom box in the basket method, though. In the right environment, I think it could work.

[Dogmama]

I never wear headphones & steer very clear of those who do because they tend to be in their own little world and startle easily when I come up behind them (read: often jump in my path.) I want to be 110% aware of my surroundings. If I hear a car slowing down behind me, for example, that is a big clue that it might make a right hand turn in front of me.

If wind noise is a bother, you can find small wind-ear blocks that mount to your helmet. It might take a bit of searching but they're out there.

On a personal note, I find music distracting. I want to be able to think, observe and generally enjoy being out in nature. I wear my headphones in the gym where blocking out conversations, overhead music and grunts is important.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Sorry to break the bad news to those of you who live in Colorado, but, like California, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and earphones are illegal when operating a vehicle in Colorado too.

Actually, bicycles are considered vehicles in all 50 states, and while I haven't checked the vehicle code for all states, I suspect that earphones being illegal is more common than not.

If anyone is interested or curious about the laws in their own state (or province), MassBike has a page that links to laws pertaining to bicycles in all of the US states and most of the Canada provinces, along with a few other countries: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/index.htm.

--- Denise