Tunes while riding

[zoom-zoom]

I never use my Ipod when riding with others- that seems incredibly rude.

Years ago I did a training run with a friend...we were both training for the same half-marathon. She had a bad habit of running every run at race pace. So she puts on her iPod and after about 2 miles pulls way ahead of me and I'm running solo for the rest of the 12.5 mile run.

About 8 miles in I come upon her standing on the side of the path looking like death warmed-over. She totally bonked and had to walk the remaining way. I didn't stop for her, just told her I'd wait for her at the car.

(We are no longer friends. This was just the first in a line of very self-centered moves, on her part. The last straw was when she and her hubby bailed on a 6 person trail race team <2 weeks before race day, leaving the rest of us scrambling to find replacements. The weird part about that is that it was SHE who would openly ignore/avoid me at later races, not the other way around...and I had good reason to give her the cold shoulder.)

[Koronin]

I don't even own an ipod. The base here just issued a new command (I guess) that anyone riding a bike or running on base is not allowed to use an ipod.

[pll]

So she puts on her iPod and after about 2 miles pulls way ahead of me and I'm running solo for the rest of the 12.5 mile run.

Wow! What is the point of running with someone if you intend to put the iPod on?

I have to say the lost-to-the-world look of people with iPods and smart phones brings my inner Luddite to the surface. Pedestrians texting walk erratically, cyclists with headphones are unpredictable...

Some weeks ago I had the first movement of Mozart's symphonie #25 stuck in my head. Watch this clip of Fabian Cancellara catching up to the peloton and you'll see where that came from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxXqQqAc2pA

[Jen12]

I have to say the lost-to-the-world look of people with iPods and smart phones brings my inner Luddite to the surface. Pedestrians texting walk erratically, cyclists with headphones are unpredictable...

I was biking with about ten people this past weekend on a multi-use trail. There was a kid on a skateboard with headphones on and he was texting. He was completely surprised at the group of bikes passing him even with bells ringing and "on your left" being shouted. It would have been funny if it wasn't so scary.

I don't have any problem sharing the trails. I'm a runner AND a cyclist, but when I run and have my headphones on, they're low enough that I can hear what goes on around me AND I hug the farthest right area available. Cycling I never wear them, which is why I prefer cycling with a group to doing it alone.

[hulagirl]

Oh don't get me started.

It's hard enough with nothing in (generic) your ears to hear what's going on with wind and everything else. I don't care how low the volume is. It's a safety issue for everyone involved, not just yourself. I don't appreciate the need to be extra cautious because you want to listen to tunes.

What do I mean?

If I come upon someone with headphones in I am now forced to watch them like a hawk for any sudden motion into MY path. I don't know if the headphones are on, off, blasting or whispering sweet nothings in French into your ears. All I can do for MY safety is watch you and hope to god you hear me coming so you don't cut into my line.

Regardless of the volume, one ear or two, that is inconsiderate to other people on the road because WE DON'T KNOW if you can hear us.

Personally, I'd like to throw a tire pump into the spokes of the people I pass that have headphones on so loud that *I* can hear them. Ahghghghgh!

(We actually had to go into traffic to pass an A$$ that was jogging in the bike lane with headphones on so loud that he couldn't hear us SCREAMING "On you left!". There was a sidewalk too. Instead, he decided to run WITH traffic in the middle of the bike lane with headphone blaring.)

And personally, I don't really care if people need the music for company, comfort, motivation, etc. Those are their own personal issues/needs. It's when they affect MY safety that I get angry.

[roo4]

Outside? Never. Not running, not bicycling. No. Inside is fine.

[Jen12]

Years ago I did a training run with a friend...we were both training for the same half-marathon. She had a bad habit of running every run at race pace. So she puts on her iPod and after about 2 miles pulls way ahead of me and I'm running solo for the rest of the 12.5 mile run.

About 8 miles in I come upon her standing on the side of the path looking like death warmed-over. She totally bonked and had to walk the remaining way. I didn't stop for her, just told her I'd wait for her at the car.

(We are no longer friends. This was just the first in a line of very self-centered moves, on her part. The last straw was when she and her hubby bailed on a 6 person trail race team <2 weeks before race day, leaving the rest of us scrambling to find replacements. The weird part about that is that it was SHE who would openly ignore/avoid me at later races, not the other way around...and I had good reason to give her the cold shoulder.)

I know someone just like this. She used to call me constantly to run with her and then one day she just stopped. Evidently she'd found another running buddy and I was completely dumpable. Selfish people are better off avoided.

[ctdancer]

Guilty of riding with my Ipod (when I'm solo), as long as I'm riding in an area where I know the route really well, and not many cars. Fortunately where I live I have lots of "safe" places to ride, and the music really helps my cadence, especially up hills !
I keep the volume low, and I would never use them with company...

[Owlie]

It scares me when I see cyclists with earbuds in, even on the trail. There are are a few road crossings that force you to rely on hearing because of curves in the road and vegetation. And this group of people often overlap with the "don't even slow down to check for traffic" group!

[lph]

To answer the original question - I ride with earbuds all the time. It helps mightily for my motivation on long rides. It's not something I recommend to new riders because it takes practice and you may have to change your riding style somewhat. It's quite possible to ride safely and responsibly with earbuds, however.

And as a gentle reminder - putting earbuds in doesn't automatically turn an otherwise attentive rider into a self-absorbed zombie weaving all over the place and paying no attention...

[ctdancer]

LPH - Agree ! In some ways, I think they actually make me pay more attention to my surroundings, and be more cautious rather than oblivious !

[amb]

I frequently ride with my iPod, right earbud only, music at a reasonable level. I too can hear traffic, birds, people, other riders....everything. There's a lot of people on their soapbox here assuming we're unsafe/can't hear a thing. Whatever, do what works for you and I will as well. I think more often than not, it's not an iPod that makes anyone unsafe, it's their lack of following the rules of the road!!

[KateNTx]

I saw a young woman (college age) texting on her bike while riding down a 4 lane road at rush hour the other day. All I could think as I drove past was..."Are you kidding me?!" I ride/walk to escape my life...the last thing I want is my iPhone in my ears forcing me to be "reachable" (I carry a pre-paid for emergencies). a for music...when I was (much) younger I had a little transistor hooked up to a dynamo on the bike I kept at my grandad's place...dirt road, no traffic, usually rode down to the creek to fish. that was enjoyable, so I don't totally oppose music in a safe environment, but here in Town...fughettaboutit, too many other risks on the road for me to deliberately seek one out (and yes, I AM an organ donor).

[hulagirl]

Seriously! It's not about YOUR perception of what you can or can't hear. It's about YOU (earphone rider) placing more responsibility on US (riders overtaking you) because we see headphone and we don't know how loud the music is or is not. You now force us to be over cautious, hyper-aware and way more concerned about you hearing us or jumping into our line because you don't hear us.

THAT'S what pisses me off. I personally don't care what your issues are. (the need for music as motivation or whatever) But when it affects my safety, I do care. And I think using headphones on a ride is rude and places even more responsibility onto the folks that approach you.

[blue_angel]

To answer the original question - I ride with earbuds all the time. It helps mightily for my motivation on long rides. It's not something I recommend to new riders because it takes practice and you may have to change your riding style somewhat. It's quite possible to ride safely and responsibly with earbuds, however.

And as a gentle reminder - putting earbuds in doesn't automatically turn an otherwise attentive rider into a self-absorbed zombie weaving all over the place and paying no attention...

Thank you!