mp3 Players and Bicycles

[nedgoudy]

I learned last week that you can ride a bike
with an mp3 player in your ear as long as you
keep one ear free (not plugged in) for safety.
This is in the State of California.

Woohoo! I bought a $50 Creative mp3 player
with an FM Stereo tuner and now have music
as I cruise the highways and byways of my hood.

I love it. And you can download Podcasts off the
Internet of all your favorite NPR shows or whatever
you taste in Talk is, and listen to them while you
go out riding for an hour or two. How great is that!

I can't say enough great things about this discovery.

Ned Goudy
Glendora, CA USA

[Nightshade]

Whoa,mate. Back up a bit. DO NOT RIDE WITH YOUR EARS PLUGGED WITH ANYTHING.
It's not safe. Can you still have tunes?? Sure you can if you do what I did.

I bought a set of battery powered mini-speakers and zip tied them to my handle
bars so I can listen as I ride. Works great!!! :beer: :beer: I can hear all that's
going on around me while I ride to my fave tunes too. :D :D

[v1nce]

I ride with Headphones blaring quite often, but almost exlusively on roads that i know very well or roads that are very tranquille. When i do have Mp3's on i also anticipate more, use my other senses more and generally ride more carefully. But i am also lucky since i live in the Netherlands and people being used to cyclists and the bike paths make any cycling a lot safer.

Any cyclists using the Nano I pod i am very interested in that one as it is Solid State (flash memory instead of a harddisk that can crash) and has good battery life, a color screen and is small unlike the I pod mini... Any thoughts on this player?

[jamesdenver]

this debate (listening while riding versus not) has been discussed many times over. i believe if it's legal and an experienced rider is comfortable with the safety issue then it's fine.

personally i listen with one earhook/bud (NOT a plug), on my right ear. i use this on my commute which i've been doing the exact same route for three years and know where every pothole, danger spot is.

on a new route, or just riding around i don't listen, but i enjoy listening on my commute, as it's part of my routine, i enjoy it, and i feel perfectly safe.

be careful, and my advice is not to use PLUGS, but ear buds which do not plug up your ear, they just hang in there, and still keeps that ear open for other noise

[2wheeledsoul]

Whoa,mate. Back up a bit. DO NOT RIDE WITH YOUR EARS PLUGGED WITH ANYTHING.
It's not safe. Can you still have tunes?? Sure you can if you do what I did.

I bought a set of battery powered mini-speakers and zip tied them to my handle
bars so I can listen as I ride. Works great!!! :beer: :beer: I can hear all that's
going on around me while I ride to my fave tunes too. :D :D

Ditto this sage advice. :beer: Wearing a headset = stupid. I'de rather have my ears open as a passive sonar. Even cramming one ear is a very bad idea.

Back when cassette walkmans were the bomb, there used to be a device called the Bone Phone. It was a padded gadget you wore over your shoulders, and it had transducers that vibrated your bones, hence the name. It was the only product on the market at the time that let you jam to your tunes while leaving your ears open.

[Mtn Mike]

Yeah, this debate isn't new. I just got an Ipod and tried riding with it, but didn't find it comfortable. It's not the noise that bothers me, but the destraction of extra wires and gagetry attached to my head. As far as noise goes, I really don't think listening to ear buds is much different than, say driving in your car with the stereo on and windows up. In fact, I think driving in a car with the stereo on drowns out the noise even more, especially if you're in a luxury car with good sound insulation. With my I-pod, at a moderate volume, I was still able to hear all the traffic around me, and the sounds of my bike.

[david.l.k]

Well I opened the earbuds that came with my ipod for the first time just for riding. I have a pair of high quality in-ear headphones that rock but block out everything, I mean you could be on the subway with a screaming baby right beside you and you would only hear music. So I ride with the Ipod earbuds and a moderate volume. The tunes give me a noticable boost esp when I'm doing a work out ride. Just got my ipod for christmas but I haven't ridden to school listening to it yet. But I probably will on low volume. I also have a mirror on my helmet so I feel really safe anyways, I probably could even ride with the in-ear phones, but I'd rather er on the side of caution.

[GTcommuter]

Any cyclists using the Nano I pod i am very interested in that one as it is Solid State (flash memory instead of a harddisk that can crash) and has good battery life, a color screen and is small unlike the I pod mini... Any thoughts on this player?

I got a Nano for xmas. I'm new to the mp3 world, but it sure is tiny. I haven't used it while riding because I'm generally against riding and listening. But it's great for days on the train or bus. I just wish that it had a FM tuner so that I could listen to the local talk radio shows in real time.

[EJ123]

Haha glad that doesnt apply to Texas. The only time I dont ride without music happens like 1-2 times a month. For me, music keeps me twice as energized:)

[Alekhine]

I'm also pro-music when biking if the mood hits, but most of the time I don't use my mp3 player because the outside noise usually is too loud. I couldn't ride with just one earphone on. It would weird me out. I'm a huge classical head though, particularly solo instruments or small chamber stuff, so most of what I listen to is acoustic and gets drowned out by the cars or the wind. Solo piano music is especially bad for bicycling around to, but violin will cut through pretty well.

For those warning about how distracting it is, thanks for caring about my welfare (really, thanks), and I really don't want to argue about it, but I'll just say I disagree.

I have a Zen Nomad Xtra 40 GB player. Much bigger and heavier than the iPods, but also cheaper and it has a large capacity.

[SteveFox]

I also listen to music while riding, but not that often. When I do i only put the bud in my right ear so i can hear the road on my left. music is pretty motivational.

steve

[derath]

[QUOTE=Mtn Mike] In fact, I think driving in a car with the stereo on drowns out the noise even more, especially if you're in a luxury car with good sound insulation. QUOTE]


The only other main difference, is that when you are in a car, especially a luxury car, it is acting as your safety barrier. On a bike YOU are the safety barrier for the bike.

[Mtn Mike]

[QUOTE=Mtn Mike] In fact, I think driving in a car with the stereo on drowns out the noise even more, especially if you're in a luxury car with good sound insulation. QUOTE]


The only other main difference, is that when you are in a car, especially a luxury car, it is acting as your safety barrier. On a bike YOU are the safety barrier for the bike.

True that :D Cyclist’s have more motivation to be safe and vigilant than cagers, i.e. we are vigilant because our lives depend on it.

[nedgoudy]

Haha glad that doesnt apply to Texas. The only time I dont ride without music happens like 1-2 times a month. For me, music keeps me twice as energized:)

Amen Brother!

I get a charge out of riding with music
and I may pay MORE attention to whats
going on in my line of site and noises coming
from behind me.

I am a BELIEVER in the power of mp3!

Ned Goudy

[chicbicyclist]

I use my shuffle when riding around town. I don't find it harder when to drive/steer/know my surrounding when I'm listening. In fact, the only reason I bought this player was for my bike commutes.

[cerewa]

I don't do music on the bike, partly because it's too much trouble. When I get on the bike, I need to make sure I have my keys, my lock, the stuff I need at my destination... don't want another thing. Music doesn't work too well with the whole slowing-down-my-life thing. I don't want to be doing several things at once all the time. Biking can be a great time to just decompress, and I like to enjoy whatever quiet the city allows me.

From a safety standpoint, though, I don't see a huge problem with headphones. I'd prefer ones that don't go in the ear, but even ones that do plug the ear seem as good for letting sound through as the walls of a car. (the noise of one's own car drowns out the sounds of road hazards some, too.)

If I were a little more concerned about safety I'd buy a rear view mirror. My ears don't tell me where things are behind me.

[gwd]

I don't do music on the bike, partly because it's too much trouble. When I get on the bike, I need to make sure I have my keys, my lock, the stuff I need at my destination... don't want another thing. Music doesn't work too well with the whole slowing-down-my-life thing. I don't want to be doing several things at once all the time. Biking can be a great time to just decompress, and I like to enjoy whatever quiet the city allows...

I'm like cerewa. I've never tried music while riding. I think I got brainwashed with that "Be Here Now" stuff. Riding a bike is this immersive experience like swimming or walking. The wind noise, the sound of your tires, the traffic, that annoying click from the reflector on your pedal, your breathing, rattles as you hit bumps... it all goes together in this tight jazzy sound track. Listen to the way the tire noise and wind noise change in unison as you lean through a corner and sometimes, the edge of your foot scrapes at the apex to provide this emphasis at exactly the right point. You get the visual effect of the earth tilting in time to the changing sound. It all fits together. Any recorded sound track would clash with the experience wouldn't it?

If you frequently ride on a long straight highway with no cars, I can understand if you don't want to get into the passing scenary, listening to some rock 'n roll to match your pedaling cadence, some Skynard or something snappy like that. Or maybe a talking book if you're just killing time? But, even in the boring ride scenario, it seems like you're using the music to separate yourself from the experience.

[Seggybop]

I almost always have headphones. I completely tune out all city/car noise in any case since I'm so used to it, so whether or not I'm wearing headphones has no effect on how aware I am of what's going on around me.

[Alekhine]

I'm like cerewa. I've never tried music while riding. I think I got brainwashed with that "Be Here Now" stuff. Riding a bike is this immersive experience like swimming or walking. The wind noise, the sound of your tires, the traffic, that annoying click from the reflector on your pedal, your breathing, rattles as you hit bumps... it all goes together in this tight jazzy sound track. Listen to the way the tire noise and wind noise change in unison as you lean through a corner and sometimes, the edge of your foot scrapes at the apex to provide this emphasis at exactly the right point. You get the visual effect of the earth tilting in time to the changing sound. It all fits together. Any recorded sound track would clash with the experience wouldn't it?

I can dig, but I also like some variety now and then. I'll change it up if the mood hits and throw on some tunes, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on the cycling experience - just getting a different one. Cycling through farmlands with Beethoven's Pastorale symphony filling my ears works for me pretty nicely. Sometimes, on long rides, I'll try to do all nine.

[UCSDbikeAnarchy]

I put a single ear bud in the right ear, so the left stays open to listen to traffic. When In heavy traffic/area I don't know well, the music goes completly off.
When I'm tired and its cold and rainy, sometimes music is all that gets me home.

I've got a HD-based ipod, and never had a problem with it on the road, on my MTB or snowboarding.

[v1nce]

@ UCSD

Hey Interesting,.. i am a sortoff pacifist vegetarian squatter anarchist biker from Rotterdam. Maybe we should go for a ride or to Eurodusnie sometime.

[mrkott3r]

With my ipod, i was lucky enough to get a remote on the cheap, so when cycling i left the ipod in my pocket or in the bag, clipped the remote on my shirt, and put all the excess cable down the top of my shirt. It works well because you can pause the music, for parts of the road that you know are busy.

I stopped though mainly because of reading about accidents in this forum and secondly Ive started riding a bit more aggressively

[twochins]

Ditto this sage advice. :beer: Wearing a headset = stupid. I'de rather have my ears open as a passive sonar. Even cramming one ear is a very bad idea.

Back when cassette walkmans were the bomb, there used to be a device called the Bone Phone. It was a padded gadget you wore over your shoulders, and it had transducers that vibrated your bones, hence the name. It was the only product on the market at the time that let you jam to your tunes while leaving your ears open.

shoot, i've been riding with an mp3 on trails and street for 3 years...typically one never needs to have the volume turned up too high, unless there's wind factor...so that you can still here what going on around you....but i keep a very high degree of situational awareness when riding anywhere....it's like driving with a cell phone i guess?!

[GGDub]

I ride with earbuds all the time, the only things I can't here clearly are insults the fat cagers throw my way every now and then. I can hear traffic just fine. Wind tends to drown everything out so when that happens I give up and turn the music off. I'm really tired of the self-righteous folks who have never even tried listening to music while riding telling me what I can/cannot hear. I'm starting to think if they had their way we'd all be riding in full fluorescent coloured body armour and wouldn't be allowed to ride unless its sunny and 20c out.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

I stopped though mainly because of reading about accidents in this forum and secondly Ive started riding a bit more aggressively
Perhaps you'd enjoy your biking more if you paid less attention to the conventional wisdom spouted by self appointed safety nannies on the various BF Forums.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

I can dig, but I also like some variety now and then. I'll change it up if the mood hits and throw on some tunes, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on the cycling experience - just getting a different one. Cycling through farmlands with Beethoven's Pastorale symphony filling my ears works for me pretty nicely. Sometimes, on long rides, I'll try to do all nine.
My cycling experience has been enhanced to the nth degree since I discovered mp3 players and downloading.

My variety for this week while commuting:
Aretha Franklin - (Pride) A Deeper Love
Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools
Aretha Franklin - Day dreaming
Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin - Jimmy Lee
Aretha Franklin - Jumping Jack Flash
Aretha Franklin - Oh Happy Day
Aretha Franklin - Soul Serenade
Aretha Franklin - Tracks Of My Tears
Aretha Franklin - You Send Me
billy ocean - Caribbean queen (Extended version)
Billy Ocean - Get Out of My Dreams, Get into My Car
Billy Ocean - Loverboy (Extended Club Mix)
Chaka Khan - I Feel 4 U (12'' version)
Chaka Khan george Benson - I'll Be Good To You
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Aint't Nobody
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - State of independence
Donna Summer - StopLook and Listen
Donna Summer - Unconditional Love
Donna Summers - Last Dance
anita ward - Knock On Wood
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell original disco
Fontella Bass - Rescue Me
Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff
Moments - I Do Love You
Mya - Real Compared to What
Patti Labell - Crazy Love
Pattie LaBell - New Attitude - Extended Mix
Shanice and Brandy - Missing You
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way (Extended)
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me this Way_2
Janet Jackson - control
Janet Jackson - I miss you much
Janet Jackson - Nasty Boys
Janet Jackson - Remixed - That's The Way Love Goes
Janet Jackson - Rythem Nation
Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle
Janet Jackson - When I Think of You
Luther Van Dross-Dance with My Father Again
Luther Vandross - Anyone Who Had A Heart
Luther Vandross - Love The One You're With
Luther Vandross - Lovely Day
Luther Vandross - Power Of Love_6min
Luther Vandross - Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)
Luther Vandross - The Closer I Get To You_w_Beyonce
Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - Best Thing in My Life are
Madona - Justify my love (William Orbit remix)
Madonna - Celebrate
Madonna - Die Another Day (Dirty Vegas Mix)
Madonna - Don't Tell Me ( DJ Dream Weaver Remix )
Madonna - Get Into The Groove
Madonna - Into The Groove (extended mix)
Madonna - Like A Prayer
Madonna - Music (Deep Dish Remix)
Madonna- Ray of Light (Sasha Twilo mix)
Billy Stewart - I Do Love You_original
Billy Stewart - Summertime
Clyde McPhatter - It's a Lovers Question
Clyde Mcphatter - Little Bitty Pretty One
Frank Sinatra - Night And Day (Big Band)
Tony Bennet - Moonlight in Vermont
Pointer Sisters - He's So Shy
Pointer Sisters - Ill Take You There
Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited
Pointer Sisters - Jump (For My Love)
Pointer Sisters - Neutron Dance
Pointer Sisters - The Heat Is On
Pointer Sisters - We Are Family
Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can
80's Prince - Let's Go Crazy
Prince - 1999
Prince - Baby I'm A Star
Prince - Controversy
Prince - Hot Thing
Prince - I Feel for You
Prince - I Would Die 4 U
Prince - Let's Go Crazy
Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U
Prince - Sign O The Times_albumtrack
Prince - thieves_in_the_temple
Prince - U Got the Look
Staple Singers - For What It's Worth
Staple Singers - I'll Take You There
Staple Singers - Oh Happy Day 160
Staple Singers - Respect Yourself
Staple Singers - Smiling Faces Sometimes
Whitney Houston - Didn't We Almost Have It All
Whitney Houston - How Will I Know (ultimix)
Whitney Houston - Love That Man (Peter Rauhofer Retro Remix)
WHitney Houston - Love will save the day (Junior's 2000 mix)
Whitney Houston - So Emotional (Morales 11minute Remix)
Whitney Houston - Step By Step
Whitney Houston - Try It On My Own (Ultimix 97)
Whitney Houston - You're Still My Man
Whitney Houston- I Will Always Love You - Hex Hector Mix
Whitney Houston, Gospel - Oh happy day

[twochins]

the above music if way off target, but means well...get an mps with a few hours of baby mammoth and then do some urban riding...at about 9-1 am...doesn't get much better

[jmbranum]

I listen to my mp3 player sometimes if I'm in the mood for it, but most of the time I want to hear the ambient sounds around me. Lots of the time I ride through old neighborhoods with lots of birds, so I don't want to miss out on that.

[v1nce]

Whitney? Oh dear ha ha, well taste is a real subjective matter. I will listen to anything while i ride, from Classical, or 60's Soul to the most Angry, supercharged, political Punk and Death Metal. But usually it is something a bit more in between.

One thing that i discovered which i LOVE listening to (during riding but sometimes also at other times) is Spoken Word, or Audiobooks, Stand up Comedy or even Motivational stuff. Particulary good IMO are some of the Massey Lectures, Doug Stanhope, Bill Hicks, Henry Rollins, The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit and 'The Rats in the Cellar'. Nice stuff. Because Voice is relatively simple you can have high quality Mp3's that seem to go on for ever/take up a lot less space than music ones.

Finally, of course there is no question and doubt in my mind that riding without earphones is safer than with, i don't think however that it compares to a cager with a cellphone. The latter is a lot more dangerous for other roads users (more mass, higher speeds) and i think calling is more distractive than passive listening and you don't have both hands on the wheel if you don't have a handsfree set.
It is up to each person to decide whether they take this risk or not though i do think it is reprehensible to ride with loud music when you really endanger others, this can or can not be the case depending on familiarity with the area and traffic, speed, giving way etc. It might also be a good idea to wear rather larger headphones that earbuds so the rest of the road users can easily see you don't hear them.

[Mtn Mike]

Yikes, I-Like-To-Bike, :eek: that's an interesting music library you have on your hands there....My MP3 has a lot of techno/electronic and heavy metal in it now. Nothing keeps me going on the trainer for longer. When I've listened to it while riding on the street, the electronic beats really pump me up to ride in traffic.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Whitney? Oh dear ha ha, well taste is a real subjective matter. I will listen to anything while i ride, from Classical, or 60's Soul to the most Angry, supercharged, political Punk and Death Metal. But usually it is something a bit more in between.

One thing that i discovered which i LOVE listening to (during riding but sometimes also at other times) is Spoken Word, or Audiobooks, Stand up Comedy or even Motivational stuff.
Yes taste in music is very subjective. Whitney IS the songbird. I'm still looking for an mp3 version of her acapella version of I want to Dance with Someone. I have the 12" single but have never got around to ripping tracks off of vinyl.

I too like spoken word and have thousands of old time radio shows (OTR) in mp3 format, in their entirety, commercials and all (5 out of 6 doctors prefer Camel Cigarettes!) But it is too difficult to listen over the noise of exhaust and tires at 55mph. I listen to them when I am in airplanes or driving long distance and also when going to bed. My wife likes Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel and the Lux Theater shows; my favorites are Mercury Theater, Jack Benny, Phillip Marlowe and Bold Venture (with Bogart and Bacall from 1946-47)

Maybe even a specialist in the Spoken Word might find a show to like. Ha, Ha. Don't know if those who scoff at TV culture also shun radio too.

My OTR folders:

AcademyAwardT
Amos_Andy
AuthorsPlayhouse
BarryCraig
BeyondMidight
Blackstone
BoldVenture
BostonBlackie
Box13
Bradbury 13
CallAllCars
CandyMatson
CaseyCrime
CBS Mystery
CreakingDoor
DamonRunyon
DamonRunyon
DangerDrDanfiel
DickTracy
Dragnet
Dragnet
ElleryQ
EncoreTheater
Falcon
FatMan
FBI_Peace_War
FBI_This_Is
FireChief
FlashGordon
FredAllen
FrontierFighters
FrontierGentleman
FrontierTown
Gangbusters
Groucho
GunSmoke
HaveGunWillTravel
Hopalong
ILove_Adventure
InnerSanctum
IwasACommunistfortheFBI
JackBenny
JohnnyDollar
LineUp
LoneRanger
LuxTheater
MercuryTheater
Mr_DA
MusicalShows
NBCTHeater1
NBCTheater2
PhillipMarlowe
Playhouses
RichardDiamond
Saint
SamSpade
Shadow
SherlockH
SiFi
SixShooter
Superman
SuspenseTheater
TexasRangers
Various
WierdCircle
X Minus 1

[PVyrus]

If there's anything I love more than biking, and there isn't much, it is music.

Is there any way to find out whether or not it is legal in your state? I absolutely LOVE music and ALWAYS listen to it on every ride, so I'd hate to have to give it up! In fact I believe I'm a better rider because of it. I am very easily destracted (ADHD / learning disability / sleep disorder) and tend to faze-out, so giving my ears a soft *untz-untz-untz-untz* not only makes me go 5mph faster but keeps my mind focused on the road ahead of me. Dance music is the best because I don't have to have the volume very high at all to hear the beat, but I also keep the volume control in easy grasp so I can turn it off during dangerous moments. (Although if a reeeaaally good song comes on and I'm in a safe area, I will up the volume) I'm saving up for an MP3 player too and that should make things even safer by removing the need to channel surf when I get out of range.

I see why people would think of it dangerous, but why would it be illegal if drivers are allowed to have thier subwoofers at cement shattering volumes and be able to talk on cell phones!?

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Yikes, I-Like-To-Bike, :eek: that's an interesting music library you have on your hands there....My MP3 has a lot of techno/electronic and heavy metal in it now. Nothing keeps me going on the trainer for longer. When I've listened to it while riding on the street, the electronic beats really pump me up to ride in traffic.
Heck that wasn't my library, that was just last weeks playlist. I've got thousands of songs and albums of just my favorite artists to choose from for each week's playlist.

The first thing I decided within minutes of discovering music downloading was that I needed an additional hard drive; the second thing was that I needed a MUCH bigger hard drive.

I like techno and house music too; reminds me of going to fests in Germany, especially the Bad Dürkhein Weinfest which was a monster fest, and all the amusement rides were accompanied by booming house music all the time. Listen to it sometimes, but R & B and blues is where its at for me.

[BikerLRY]

I turn my MP3 up all the way and I keep both of them in my ears.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

If there's anything I love more than biking, and there isn't much, it is music.
You ain't kiddin'!

Music and Biking go together like Pizza and Beer. In fact all four go great together. Add a compatable partner of the appropriate gender and the circle is complete.

Don't let the safety nannies scare you. You can determine for yourself if listening to music negatively affects your cycling abilities.

[v1nce]

Just a tip (thought the anti headphones on bikes lobby is going to have a field day)

The Sony MDR-G57G or similair by Sony are second to none when it comes to listening to music while sporting. They are very comfy, go loud, fairly affordable, really durable (i have subjected mine to repeated torture and they still work like the first day i bought them) and keep out ambient noise by covering most of your ear. Most importantly though the design is such that you can headbang like a madman and they will still stay solid on your head.

With most earbuds i have had lots of problems with them falling out. This really can lead to 'dangerous one hand cycling, looking down and trying to fish for bud' situations. I have some earbuds fall into my drivetrain, totally mangled.

Two provisions though:

1. Not everybody find them super comfortable there are the rare exceptions.
2. If you have really Aero position where you really crane your neckupward in order to see the rode the neckband design may not work for you and be uncomfortable. This is very easy to check at the store by assuming your riding position (people may look at you a little funny) and moving your head a bit.

BTW, what are you guys using for MP3 Downloads these days anyway? I use SoulSeek (could never get torrents, DC ++ and other such ones to work for me properly) i like but there must be other good ones around.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

BTW, what are you guys using for MP3 Downloads these days anyway? I use SoulSeek (could never get torrents, DC ++ and other such ones to work for me properly) i like but there must be other good ones around.
Limewire for the few things worth downloading that I haven't alrweady download. Not being interested in anything recorded in the last 10 years or so helps. Used to use KazaaLite but that went downhill fast, luckily after my mission was accomplished.

[david.l.k]

I use shareeza. This is probably the best one I've used. It's spyware free, it searchs three different file share networks and you can simaltaneosly(sp?) download the same file from multiple sources.

[zelah]

i use to listen to my ipod when i rode back and forth to work and around wherever, but after i got hit by a car i decided to keep my ears freed up, just incase (even though i wasnt using it when i got hit)

[ME.Alex]

What I do is take the ol satellite radio and use sony sport-style headphones, http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/son/EC.SON.MDRW08L.JPG

Whenever i approach a street corner or whatnot, i just pop one or both out and can pop them back in without too much trouble.

Quick and easy. Their longevity has sucked bigtime (3rd pair in 1 year -- one or both channels start to cut out) and they sound awful, but the're the best, most sweatproof design i've seen.

Got lucky one though. before i installed a small bar-end mirror, I decided to turn left.... where there had been no car moments before was one waiting for me. narrowly missed a collision.

You gotta be careful, and not become too absorbed in the music/talkshow.

[twochins]

yeah, i've found the lanyard that comes with most mp3 players is actually perfect for bicycling....i can put the player and all the wiring under my shirt and its out of the way...like the guy above showed...the top of the head type headphones are the best...with your helmet on they stay put...is f'n great, the mp3 has a shuffle setting or repeat so i don't have the fiddle with it that much

now we need to find headphones with some kind of cone to eliminate wind noise...it is crazy windy here

[Nightshade]

shoot, i've been riding with an mp3 on trails and street for 3 years...typically one never needs to have the volume turned up too high, unless there's wind factor...so that you can still here what going on around you....but i keep a very high degree of situational awareness when riding anywhere....it's like driving with a cell phone i guess?!

One can play Russian Roullette just so long until the loaded chamber comes up........

So it is with what you are doing. I hope you got burial & medical insurance

[Sir Lunch-a-lot]

I do most of my riding out in the country side, and it can get very monotonous riding the same terrain without music (sometimes it isn't though). And I find that music makes very little difference in what I can or cannot hear. Usually, if a vehicle is approaching me from behind, either I can or cannot hear it, regardless of music. Although, as of late I have begun shoulder checking a lot more, and am far more aware of what vehicles are coming up (I think I want a mirror).

In the past, I have used my palm pilot to play my ogg vorbis files (that's what I rip most of my music to), but for right now, I've been using a discman I got for Christmas because if I have a wreck and the music player gets wrecked, I'm not out a whole lot of money, whereas my palm costs a lot more... the other factor is that I don't want to wear my palms internal batteries out too fast (granted I did successfully design and build a gadget to convert 6v into the required 5.2v for my palm that I could use...).

Music and Cycling definitely go together, but like some of you, when I am in dense city traffic, I shut the music off for safety sake.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

One can play Russian Roullette just so long until the loaded chamber comes up........

So it is with what you are doing. I hope you got burial & medical insurance
Loosen your helmet straps and Lighten Up, Mr. Safety Nanny.

[twochins]

One can play Russian Roullette just so long until the loaded chamber comes up........

So it is with what you are doing. I hope you got burial & medical insurance

come on dude, it's not that bad, do you wanna try my player, i'll let you borrow it...tightwad :)

[ME.Alex]

Definitely invest in a mirror. When biking it isn;t easy to get a full view around, especially on a road/racing bike in that heavily angled fastback-like position.

I agree with tightwad that it is dangerous.

I have been playing with fire so far. No light of any kind and I go biking at night, where you depend on sound to hear another bike's freewheel clicking sound or rollerblades or just another person walking.... and of course I had my mp3 player blasting away Slayer tunes.

Not smart

However, you can't go nuts about safety. Safety would dictate knee, wrist, elbow pads, and a full helmet, and even downhill-style chest plating.

Not gonna happen. there is a limit. And on quiet back roads with enough attention paid to pop out a headphone and have a listen, music is not a problem

[twochins]

whoa...i draw the line at lights, meaning i don't ride on streets at night without out head and taillights...that is really suicidal...your putting yourself in the hands of idiot drivers...i just could not stand to get injured by some complete idiot...that is a low way to go

[I-Like-To-Bike]

come on dude, it's not that bad, do you wanna try my player, i'll let you borrow it...tightwad :)
Hey, if someone likes to listen to his gears clickin', or whistle happy tunes with the birds, or likes to listen to engine, tire and exhaust sounds; swell!
Me I'd prefer my bicycling experience to be enhanced with the Real Deal.

Yesterday's biking enhancement:
Frank Sanatra - Ol Black Magic
Frank Sinatra - Almost Like Being In Love
Frank Sinatra - Autumn In New York
Frank Sinatra - Autumn Leaves
Frank Sinatra - Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
Frank Sinatra - Gentle on my mind
Frank Sinatra - I Did It My Way
Frank Sinatra - It Had To Be You
Frank Sinatra - It Was A Very Good Year
Frank Sinatra - Luck Be a Lady
Frank Sinatra - Moonlight In Vermont
Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Serenade
Frank Sinatra - New York, New York
Frank Sinatra - Nice Work If You Can Get It
Frank Sinatra - Night And Day (Big Band)
Frank Sinatra - Send In The Clowns
Frank Sinatra - They Can't Take That Away From Me
Frank Sinatra - Witchcraft
Frank Sinatra & Count Basie - The Shadow of Your Smile
Frank Sinatra and Count Basie - I Only Have Eyes For You
Frank Sinatra Basie - One for My Baby
Nina Simone - Aint Got No-I got Life
Nina Simone - brown eyed handsome man
Nina Simone - Everything Must Change
Nina Simone - Feelin Good (Joe Clausell Remix)
Nina Simone - Gin House Blues
Nina Simone - Here Comes the Sun
Nina Simone - I get a kick out of you
Nina Simone - I Shall Be Released
Nina Simone - I Want A Little Suger In My Bowl
Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Nina Simone - If I Should Lose You
Nina Simone - Just Like a Woman
Nina Simone - Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Nina Simone - Let it be me
Nina Simone - Lilac Wine
Nina Simone - My Man's Gone Now
Nina Simone - My sweet lord
nina simone - Please Don't Let me be Misunderstood
Nina Simone - Suzanne
Nina Simone - The Look of Love
Nina Simone - To Love Somebody
nina simone - Try A Little Tenderness
Nina Simone - Wild is the Wind
Nina Simone- Sinnerman (The Thomas Crown Affair)
Nina Simone- Willow Weep for Me

The rest of the week I continue on with more of Aretha and Donna Summer; can't get enough of the Divas:

Aretha Franklin - A Deeper Love (White Label Mix)
Aretha Franklin - Another Night
Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Aretha Franklin - Day dreaming
Aretha Franklin - Drown In My Own Tears
Aretha Franklin - Gentle On My Mind
Aretha Franklin - Groovin'
Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
aretha franklin - i never loved a man
Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin - I'll Fly Away
Aretha Franklin - Jimmy Lee
Aretha Franklin - Jumping Jack Flash
Aretha Franklin - Natural Woman
Aretha Franklin - Oh Happy Day
Aretha Franklin - Since You've Been Gone
Aretha Franklin - Soul Serenade
Aretha Franklin - Spirit In The Dark (with Ray Charles192)
Aretha Franklin - Tracks Of My Tears
Aretha Franklin - We Are Family
aretha franklin - You Are My Sunshine
Aretha Franklin - You Send Me
Aretha Franklin - You're All I Need to Get By
Aretha Franklin & James Cleveland - Amazing Grace
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - Gloria
Donna Summer - He's a Rebel
Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
Donna Summer - I Do Believe I fell in Love
Donna Summer - I Feel Love (Original 12 inch)
Donna Summer - Last Dance (Extended Mix)
Donna Summer - Love Has a Mind of Its Own
Donna Summer - Our Love
Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
Donna Summer - State of independence
Donna Summer - StopLook and Listen
Donna Summer - Sunset People
Donna Summer - Unconditional Love
Donna Summer - Walk Away
Donna Summer - Woman
Donna Summers - Last Dance
Jefferson Airplane - American Woman
Jefferson Airplane - Crown Of Creation
Jefferson Airplane - Embryonic Journey
Jefferson Airplane - Somebody To Love
Jefferson Airplane - Today
Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers (Woodstock '69)
Jefferson Airplane - We Built This City
Ambrosian Boys Choir - Empire of the Sun - Suo Gan
Beam vs Cyrus - Canｴt Touch This (Radio Mix)
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise
CW McCall - Convoy (Ex
CW McCall - Rubber Duck (New Convoy)
John Williams - Empire of the Sun- Exsultate Justi
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Mob Hits - Goodfellas Soundtrack - Main Theme
Proffessor Funk - Visions (Club Mix)
Steve Nicks - White Wing Dove
Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen
stevie nicks - fall from grace
Stevie Nicks - Nightbird
stevie nicks - Stand Back (Extended Distance Mix by Ritt1)
Stevie Nicks & Buckingham- Lola (rare)
Stevie Nicks & Don Henley - Leather And Lace
Stevie Nicks & Sheryl Crow - If You Ever Did Believe
Stevie Nicks- At Last ( Rare! Great!)
thomas crown affair - windmills of my mind
TV Theme - Sopranos - Got yourself a Gun
Ulysses - Magic Wand
Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy
Rod Stewart - Forever Young
Rod Stewart - Maggie May
Rod Stewart - Some Guys Have All The Luck
Rod Stewart - Street Fighting Man
Rod Stewart - Tonight's The Night
Rod Stewart - Young hearts be free tonight
Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me Off My Feet
Stevie Wonder - Livin For The City
Stevie Wonder - Part Time Lover
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Stevie Wonder - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Diana Ross - Chain Reaction
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
DIANA ROSS - LOVE HANGOVER (EXTENDED VERSIO
Diana Ross - Someday We'll Be Together
Diana Ross - Upside Down
Supremes - Baby Love
Supremes - Back In My Arms Again
Supremes - I Hear A Symphony
Supremes - lm gonna make you love me
Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
Supremes- Stop In The Name Of Love
Shadows of Night_ (G L O R I A) Gloria
Them - Baby Please Don't Go
Them - Get Your Kicks On Route 66
Them - Gloria (1964)
Them - Here comes the night
Them - Mystic Eyes
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison - Crazy Love
Van Morrison - Dancing In The Moonlight
van morrison - since i fell for you
Van Morrison - Someone Like You
Van Morrison - Tupulo Honey
Van Morrison & John Lee Hooker - Gloria

[twochins]

wow baby, this is over the top...i can't find anything on the list even possible to hear...but yeah, music and riding really is good...i love it when a favorite comes on, it's good for 3-4 mph more...sometimes long wheelies

[I-Like-To-Bike]

wow baby, this is over the top...i can't find anything on the list even possible to hear...but yeah, music and riding really is good...i love it when a favorite comes on, it's good for 3-4 mph more...sometimes long wheelies
Can't find anything? Not a problem. That's the beauty of rolling (burning) your own. Somehow I find that when I burn my own selection, all the songs are favorites. And yes, favorite music enhances cycling pleasure. Despite a few uptight safety nannies getting their panties in a bunch over their own conjured nightmares.