Tunes while riding

[Jen12]

How many of you ride with an iPod?

I know someone who does this. She rationalizes it by using one earbud instead of both. I maintain it isn't safe and that you have to be much too actively engaged while cycling--even on a bike path--to have that distraction. (Of course, this person also texts while cycling. And driving. And hits the roof when you call her on it.)

I was on a ride once and a guy came up beside me who had music playing. He had something rigged up in his handlebar bag. That doesn't seem quite as dangerous to me, but you obviously can't walk away from it or it'll be stolen and you run the risk of damaging it if you go down.

Thoughts on music?

[tulip]

I ride because riding uses all of my senses. Listening to music prevents that. I also find it dangerous. I find it very annoying on group rides when people ride with radios (not earbuds) because it encroaches on my enjoyment of my ride.

[westtexas]

I have ridden with people who wear iPods. I found it annoying because when I had a flat, they probably went a mile or more before they realized I had dropped out behind (this was a not a group ride - this was a no drop ride with friends, there were three of us).

When I started riding solo again, I tried to listen to Pandora over my iPhone. I've never been scared of cars or traffic, but it is kind of unsettling not to be able to hear them come up behind you. I don't really listen to the music, it's mostly there to drown out the noise of the wind.

I think I prefer the sound of the wind!

[luv2climb]

When climbing, I always listen to music at low volume in the right ear only. I find it motivating, especially on tough climbs.

Around town I sometimes listen, but often don't.

[ny biker]

I have an mp3 player in my head. There is always a song stuck on repeat. Usually whatever was playing on the car stereo when I last turned it off. So I make sure it's a good song before I go for a bike ride.

It's hard enough to hear other cyclists, cars, etc. while I'm out riding, so I will not put anything in my ears.

If I see someone riding with earphones, even just one ear bud, I assume they are anti-social and don't care about the safety of those around them.

(Currently my internal mp3 player is playing "Bridge Burning" by Foo Fighters. Down crooked stairs and sideways glances...)

[jessmarimba]

I don't. BF does. He's got a set of headphones with just one ear bud (they were mine, I put a dresser down on the other one!)

I don't think he wears them when out with others but I'm pretty sure he likes music when he's doing a mtb race.

I sometimes wish I could - I'm not lucky enough to get full songs stuck in my head, usually just one line of a song I don't really know. It gets old after awhile!

[deeannef]

I just hope those who ride with the music going in the earphones/ear buds have their organ donation cards filled out so when they can't hear that car coming behind them and they get hit and killed, some good will come out of it. It is just plain silly, you need to hear what is going on around you when you are riding for safety reasons, period! Yes, this is harsh, but so be it.

[luv2climb]

I just hope those who ride with the music going in the earphones/ear buds have their organ donation cards filled out so when they can't hear that car coming behind them and they get hit and killed, some good will come out of it. It is just plain silly, you need to hear what is going on around you when you are riding for safety reasons, period! Yes, this is harsh, but so be it.

I hope you're referring to those who ride with music in both ears, not low volume in the right ear like I do. I have no problem hearing cars, dogs, birds, people talking, cicadas, crickets, bike sounds, and anything else I need to hear.

Proof is in my ride videos when overtaking cyclists say hi to me in a normal voice (not shouting) when they are behind me and I say hi back to them.

[ny biker]

It can be difficult to hear cyclists and cars behind you when there is nothing in either ear. So even one earphone is affecting your ability to hear things around you.

I don't speak to anyone with earphones on. I assume they're not interested in communicating with anyone else.

[luv2climb]

I don't speak to anyone with earphones on. I assume they're not interested in communicating with anyone else.

You know what they say about assuming things.

[ny biker]

You know what they say about assuming things.

I see no reason to waste my breath on someone who has something stuck in their ears.

[jessmarimba]

I just hope those who ride with the music going in the earphones/ear buds have their organ donation cards filled out so when they can't hear that car coming behind them and they get hit and killed, some good will come out of it. It is just plain silly, you need to hear what is going on around you when you are riding for safety reasons, period! Yes, this is harsh, but so be it.

Aren't too many cars on the singletrack around here.

*shrug*

[Dogmama]

What is wrong with listening to your own thoughts on a ride? Or just being with nature, in the moment? What's wrong with silence?

Obviously, I think earbuds are not a good idea. Even people who say they can hear traffic, etc., get "caught up" in a song & become distracted. I've seen it too many times. Cycling is inherently dangerous. I want all of my senses to be sharp.

Besides, with earbuds I might miss the obnoxious rap music coming out of some cars at stoplights.

Owlie, I get songs in my head too sometimes. Annoying!

[trista]

What is wrong with listening to your own thoughts on a ride? Or just being with nature, in the moment? What's wrong with silence?

I don't think either answer is wrong or right, it is just personal preference.

Speaking of getting songs stuck in your head, on one of my routes there is a spot where I ALWAYS start singing the theme song to Gilligans Island. It is incredibly annoying!!!!

[tulip]

On yesterday's ride, I realized how lucky I am not to ride with music or talk in my ears. When I'm on my bike, my thoughts flow and I come up with great ideas and solutions to problems. It's quite remarkable; I solved a couple of nagging issues on yesterday's ride. All it took was allowing my mind to work freely without directing it anywhere. It's like my mind opens up or something. It's pretty cool.