Tunes while riding

[ZenBiker]

I never use my iPod when riding outside. Not only would it make it harder to hear cars or other cyclists coming up behind me, I find it kind of distracting - makes what I see in front of me seem less real, more like a video game. It's exactly because it's distracting that I HAVE to listen to music or an audio book or something like that when I ride on the trainer or a stationary bike, so I can be off in my own little world. Being in m own world on the street wouldn't be a good thing.

I understand others' mileage may vary, that's just my answer.

BTW, I participated in a major event ride this past spring and using earbuds (one or two) was forbidden - you could get pulled off the course for it. People still did it. With 3000 other riders of all abilities around you and being on an open course to boot, that seemed scary to me.

[zoom-zoom]

BTW, I participated in a major event ride this past spring and using earbuds (one or two) was forbidden - you could get pulled off the course for it. People still did it. With 3000 other riders of all abilities around you and being on an open course to boot, that seemed scary to me.

It scares and annoys me when I do duathlons to see how many people break the EXPRESSLY forbidden regulations against earbuds on the course. I don't like being anywhere near these oblivious people who are so dependent upon these crutches that they are so willing to openly shirk rules and the safety of others (more than half of the time those on the cycling leg doing the most weaving and erratic riding are those with earbuds--and they can't hear me when I alert them that I'm passing...I am not a quiet person, either). I always feel better once I've passed them and no longer have to deal with the added risk they bring. I wish races would be more stringent in DQing these knuckleheads.

[Owlie]

I don't ride with headphones, even on the bike trail. I happily use them on the trainer. I do like a little music, but I've started putting what I want on CDs and playing those in the car on the way to the trail. At least some of it sticks in my head.

[azfiddle]

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

When I ride by myself, I take the Ipod about 1/4 of the time, and usually just one ear, not too loud. I have not had trouble hearing traffic, birds etc.

[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

[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]

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.

[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.

[CyborgQueen]

For those who are using music as crutches (I don't mean those who posted, those who you see on the roads or saying "I cannot run without music") takes their hearing for granted.

I'm deaf. How do you think I feel?

While I do have cochlear implants and hear very well with them, but I cannot hear music and surrounding ambient sounds because of the way my "ears" are set up. It irks me to no end when people use earbuds. I don't give a flying fig if the music is on low. How am I supposed to know that?


There has been times when I would say on your left and the rider is surprised to see me. Oh I'm sorry, going 20 mph is too fast for you? Leave em off. Appreciate the fact you can hear, see, and walk.

Problems climbing hills? I just sing/hum "this is the song that never ends...". Yes the corny nonstop Lamb Chop Play Along song.

[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...