I totally agree, having ears while you are riding is critical. I ride with only one ear bud and I keep the volume just to where I can hear the song enough to keep in my head, but not so loud I cannot hear animals or other riders. As I have said in the past, I am the rider pulling way off to the side to let others pass.

I encounter a rattler just about every time I head out, last ride was the biggest I have ever seen. The Hub and I came barreling around a corner and there it was spread out right in the middle of the track, Hub was in front and came to a screeching halt, had to turn his bike sideways, only about 2-3 ft away from the snake! He kicked up a big cloud of dirt when he stopped, I thought that would freak out the snake, but it didn't. The snake raised it's head a little, looked at us, then slithered off the track. I never ever ride without a snake bike kit in my pack.

"Loud and Stompy", I like that, I think some Rage Against The Machine will do the trick. Thanks!