Headphones (who wears them)

**suzieqtwa** · 09-30-2006, 07:30 PM

As a runner I always wore my headset ,but as a cycler on the road ,is it safe. I wear them ,but keep it low. I can hear cars etc... What is everyones view on this subject???? Im having a disagreement about this with someone.
Thanks Suzie

**SadieKate** · 09-30-2006, 07:38 PM

A couple of previous threads on the subject which you might find interesting:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=headphones

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=headphones

**Trek420** · 09-30-2006, 07:42 PM

oh boy, here we go again

Kitsune06 · 09-30-2006, 07:58 PM

you mean the

"You do?! It's Dangerous and Illegal and you're going to DIE! Pfft! You're Dead to me Already!!!"

vs

"Yeah. And I listen to what's around me... but how can you NOT listen to music while riding? They're made for each other!"

...guess which I side with?

**KnottedYet** · 09-30-2006, 08:48 PM

Oh, Kit.... oh, dear dear Kit. What are we gonna do with you?

This topic. It's like passing an accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look, you know it's just trouble, but you can't help it. You look.

**gobles** · 09-30-2006, 09:04 PM

This is why the Camelbak with the speakers in the shoulder straps will be perfect for bikers. Right now I bike (when I rode outdoors) with one head phone in and the other over my shoulder so I could still hear it alittle bit.

**Bikingmomof3** · 10-01-2006, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Oh, Kit.... oh, dear dear Kit. What are we gonna do with you?

This topic. It's like passing an accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look, you know it's just trouble, but you can't help it. You look.

Thank you KN-I needed a laugh.

**bikegoddess** · 10-12-2006, 07:33 PM

Hey there,

I am new here and thought I'd relpy to a few things to get into the fray.

When I ride, it's *me* time. Not time to think about my problems, kids, husband, or the world. Music makes me think. I listen to the sounds around me (cars coming up from behind) and this season I watch leaves fall and think 'cud here comes that danged hill again'.

I have not read other posts yet but I think headphones are not a good idea when riding on the road.

Lisa

**Grog** · 10-12-2006, 08:35 PM

I read an interesting note in a bike magazine (can't remember which) that reported research findings: according to them, listening to music with just one ear was even more confusing for the brain and could lead to even more difficulties...

Oh well.

**pooks** · 10-13-2006, 06:03 AM

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/Bl...087!7913.entry

**pooks** · 10-13-2006, 06:04 AM

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

how to ride with your ipod

**chickwhorips** · 10-13-2006, 11:13 AM

pooks i like the link!

i am one that rides with an ipod some days other days not. but then again, i don't really have traffic or people to deal with. if i was in the city it may be a different story.

**lph** · 10-13-2006, 12:19 PM

Great link, and very funny! I've been wondering whether to pipe up or not, but here goes:

I ride with an Ipod(-like thing). With earpieces made of little tubes of foam that go right into my ear. In traffic, every day.

I know some of you will think I'm nuts anyway for doing this, but fact is I've "trained myself" to ride with earpieces. To begin with the music was fun but distracting, and I only used one earpiece with the music very low, or took them out when I got to the parts of my commute with traffic. I found out gradually how I could use them and still feel on top of things.

I don't play very loud, quiet enough to hear traffic but obviously not as much as without. I rarely change my playlist, and am quite capable of mentally tuning out the music to concentrate on something else. I look around all the time, especially glance behind me a lot, and so help me, I have a better overview of traffic than most other cyclists out on the road with me. I keep to my side. I ride in a straight line. I give obvious hand signals.

And not least, this is on the same roads and the same commute every single day. If I'm riding in unknown territory where I could get lost or I don't know the traffic pattern out the earpieces go.

I still agree that in general earphones and traffic are a bad idea, if you're not used to wearing them you will be distracted. But it is possible to reduce the distraction level a lot.

PS. While I wouldn't actually say that music makes me concentrate more, I am more likely to let my mind wander on a long bike ride without music or with relaxing music. In traffic upbeat music keeps me more in tune with "thinking fast" and paying attention.

**chickwhorips** · 10-13-2006, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by pooks

I've been debating whether to post this or not for days.

Oh heck, why not?

Enjoy!

how to ride with your ipod

anyone try these earbuds that she talks about in that link?

**cherinyc** · 10-13-2006, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by chickwhorips

anyone try these earbuds that she talks about in that link?

chick - I emailed my BF the amazon page of those earphones, and he likes them. He thinks we should give them a try. Personally, the ones that came with my iPod Shuffle are very uncomfortable, so anything would be better. Will let you know if we do try them.

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