'SIGH' why why why? why did I stop?
ok - here's the thing. everyone has valid points no matter what side of the debate you are on.
For those of you who talk about the music drowning out the sounds of nature...where I live, there is way too much traffic to be able to even hear nature, so it's good that YOU can enjoy it and you definitely should. Basically, I am used to riding in an area that does not have bike lanes, and we do not have designated bike paths, so my only option is to ride along roads that are too narrow, and not very well maintained. What that means is I am VERY aware of my surroundings regardless of what I hear. I just figure that there is never a time where I can let my guard down...so I don't.
I will listen to my iPod Shuffle w/ 1 earbud in (the one away from traffic) when I feel comfortable doing so. It is only loud enough for me to just hear it. Someone mentioned ambiance music previously. It's like that. For me, the wind in my ears is much louder than my music.
Now what I think is getting overlooked, and creating such passionate views from people who oppose "headphones" is that well.....how do I put this.....let's se.....oh yeah MOST PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS!!!! those not currently on, or associated with TE forum of course.
People who close off both ears with ear/headphones? IDIOTS
People who blast their music while riding? IDIOTS
People who say they listen to music to drown out the sound of traffic? IDIOTS
The experiences that some of you've had where the human obstacle in front of you didn't hear you coming because of said headphones? if, when you got along side that same person and you saw they didn't have headphones? you would just call them what? IDIOTS
The music faintly playing in my right ear is solely to give me a rhythm, a pace when I am climbing or something, not give me a distraction. My brain (when its tooo quiet) will cause me more of a distraction.
On organized rides, where any music is prohibited, I find there is usually a song in my head - and it is playing just as loud (if not louder) than my Shuffle would be. This past weekend, I did a 72 mile ride (my longest by far) and the song in my head was Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" though in my head it sounded more like "don't stop til you get it up". Don't you hate when you don't know the words to a song, but you sing it anyway and make the words up? Anyway, after 4.5 hrs of the same song in my head, I would've liked to be able to hit the "next" button and gone to a different track.
I think there are just some people who are oblivious to the fact that they are not alone on the planet, and that they could potentially be in someone's way, or they could be an IDIOT. That's what makes them such. But for the most part, it is still possible to listen to a little music AND be safe. Not everyone can do that.
I should've done a drive by....darn.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy"