Commuting - music and the ride

Okay, the ride and everything is great but sometimes I want a little more. IS it possible to listen to music and ride? Possibly I am suffering from ISA (IPOD separation anxiety) and seek to find a cure? help?

I use my hearing to help judge where cars are in relation to me. I don't think its a good idea to listen to music unless you're the only one on your commute. In fact, when I go running, I'm constantly annoyed by walkers/slower runners on their headphones, because they never seem to know you're behind them and trying to pass even if you give them a yell.

Take an ipod shuffle (no hard drive to ruin) plug it into a PocketParty (for ipod shuffle) by Podgear and pop rivet a broom/mop handle clamp onto it (the type of clamp you see inside a broom closet wall). The battery powered speakers will give off just enough sound for you to hear the music but you will also be able to hear cars approaching. The clamp allows you to remove it from you handlebars when you lock up your bike. It is small, light and fairly durable.

Okay, the ride and everything is great but sometimes I want a little more. IS it possible to listen to music and ride? Possibly I am suffering from ISA (IPOD separation anxiety) and seek to find a cure? help?
IMO, More than possible; preferred.
This week's fix; on shuffle mode:
80s RAP Marrs - Pump Up the Volume
Bad Boy Bill - Music is Pumpin' - Underground People
Bad Boy Bill - Richard Humpty Vission
Beethoven - 9th Symphony (techno remix)
Beethoven - Fur Elise (Techno Remix)
Big Sexy - Another World
Boston DJ - Move Your Body (DJ Jean & Peran Speed Garage mix
C + C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.
c&c music factory - Pride (In the Nam
chicks on speed - this is house music
Club Music Techno- Euro House Mix
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round
Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music (wicked mix)
Derrick Carter 11 - soho, hot music(house mix)
DJ Assault - Shake It Make That Booty Bounce
Dj Demetri the Greek - Carmina Burana (O Fortuna Techno Remi
DJ Hell - My Definition Of House Music
DJ Hydro - Trippin the Trance
DJ Kosmonova - On a house trip
DJ Kosmonova - Take Me Away (Club Mix)
Dj Liquid - Trance Final Fantasy
DJ Mystic- Tecno Dance Club Mix's
dJ skribble - Play Some Fukin Tetris! (Techno-trance)
Eddie Amadorb - House Music (Remix)
Fingers, Inc.- Mystery Of Love
Flying steps - DJs Rock Da House
Gypsymen (Todd Terry) - Hear the Music
Harcore DC Power - Bass! (Hardcore House)
Hard House God - DJ Promo - Thunderdome
house music - French Kiss
House Music 1 - Sex on the dance floor
House Of Pain - Jump Around
House Of The Rising Sun
HOUSE-DJ-JO - Sweet Dreams (Hard Club Mix)
Interpool - Forever Young
Italian Techno
Jonathan Peters - Sound Factory Beats
Karl Orff - Carmina (Remix)
kylie minogue - Celebration (techno RAVE remix)
Napoleon Dynamite - Alphaville - Forever Young
Techno - New York Deepest Hardest House Mix
Techno - The Roof Is On Fire (House Mix)
techno- Beethoven - 5th Symphony (Rave Mix)
Techno Dance House and Club Anthems
Techno-Carl Orff - Carmina Burana - O Fortuna (Techno Remix)
The Best of House Music!
Tony! Toni! Toné! - Lovin' You (Interlude)
Top Gun - Take My Breath Away (Techno Remix)
Trance- Rave-Jungle--Matrix II Trance Mix
Trance- Terminator 2 (Techno Rave Mix)
Tunnel Trance Force 2001 - dhs - house of god
(Mariah Carey) - Heartbreaker ( Junior Vasquez' Hard Mix)
Beyonce- Crazy In Love (Junior Vasquez Earth Mix)
Club - Shannon - Let The Music Play
Cyndi Lauper - True Colors (Junior Vasquez Gay Pride Mix)
Deborah Cox - Who Do You Love RARE Junior Vasquez DMC remix
Duran Duran - White Lines (Junior Vasquez Mix)
elton john - Rocket Man (live by request)
Elton John - Rocketman (Junior Vasquez remix)
Fugees - Killing Me Softly (junior vasquez tunnel remix anth
Funky Green Dogs - Fired Up (Twilo Mix)
Heather Headley - He Is (Junior Vasquez Earth Mix)
Jimmy Somerville - Don't Leave Me This Way
Jody Watley - If I'm Not In Love (Junior Vasquez White Label
Juliet Roberts.I Want You.Junior Vasquez 1999 Club Mix
Junior Vasquez & DJ Thunderpuss 2000 - Super Mix
junior vasquez - Beautiful Day (Dance Mix)
Junior Vasquez - C&C Music Factory - Do you Wanna get Funky
Junior Vasquez - Club 69
Junior Vasquez - Dolly Parton - Peace Train
Junior Vasquez - Get Your Hands Off My Man
Junior Vasquez - House Music - Earth Music
Junior Vasquez - If Madonna Calls (X beat mix)
junior vasquez - Toni Braxton, Unbreak My Heart (Club Remix)
junior vasquez - Your Love Is Lifting Me (Marathon Mix)
Junior Vasquez Reina - Miss the Way ( Marathon Mix) 131bpm
junior vasquez-i try - macy gray (1)
JUNIOR VASQUEZ-TAKE ME HIGHER
Kim English - Nightlife (Junior Vasquez Twilo Club Mix)
Kristine W. - One More Try (Sound Factory mix)
Maddona - Frozen (Junior Vasquez Mix)
madonna - i want you (junior vasquez club mix)
Margaret Cho Daddy Gay Story (Junior Mix)
Michael Jackson - Off the Wall (Junior Vasquez Mix)
Murk vs Kristine - Some Lovin (Jr Vasquez)
Nelly Furtado - I'm Like a Bird (junior vasquez remix)
Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield (Junior Vasquez FX mix)
prince - Thieves In The Temple (Junior Vasquez 2001 Mix)
Sounds Of Blackness - Children Of The World (Junior Vasquez
techno-Floorfilla - Dance Floor Killer (Club Mix)
Trance Diana Ross- Take Me Higher (Junior Vasquez Club Mix)
various artists - gotta have house best of house - work it
Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster (Junior Vasquez Earth
whitney houston - Fine (Junior Vasquez Unreleased Mix)
Whitney Houston - Get It Back (Junior Vasquez Club Mix)
Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All (Junior Vasquez Mix)
Zelma Davis - Power (Junior Vasquez's T2wilite Club Dance Mi

I'm sensitve to the safety isues around listening to music while riding. That said: I listen to my iPod every day I ride. I need it, or I'll get too bored. I listen to a number of podcasts, and among them, I've found a few that are made for the occasion. Podrunner and Fitpod.com produce ~1 hour podcasts of uptempo techno for anyone on the move.

I've found a great route to work with huge wide roads that have wide shoulders, so I feel generally safe. That being said, riding w/music is a gamble...

I listen to my ipod. I notice many other cyclists doing the same. I keep my volume way down and it really isn't much different than riding without the iPod, noise wise. I can hear cars and even other cyclist's tires behind me. Most of my ride is on a wide, very quiet rural road and I also use my mirror to check for traffic often.

Be smart about it and you'll be OK.

Other cars I usually take my chances with and most times I'll see them with the wide-angle mirror.
Other cyclists are spread far and few between out here, so there's really no issue with them.
I just have a 256 mb Creative Zen player.
Carries about 10 CDs worth of hits, so it's good enough for what I need it for.

thanks, I just wanted to know that I wasn't out of my mind. I like the idea of NOT wearing headphones because of avoiding accidents and the hurt they would cause in an accident. I have a recorder/speaker combo- it's real quiet but I think it won't be disruptive then. If that doesn't work I will swing for a pair of speakers. May be a bass speaker hanging on the back of my rack. How is that for pimp my ride?

thanks, I just wanted to know that I wasn't out of my mind. I like the idea of NOT wearing headphones because of avoiding accidents and the hurt they would cause in an accident. I have a recorder/speaker combo- it's real quiet but I think it won't be disruptive then. If that doesn't work I will swing for a pair of speakers. May be a bass speaker hanging on the back of my rack. How is that for pimp my ride?
Add some fuzzy dice and be the Real Deal; like me!;)

I think that I can actually hear traffic better with the ear buds in. They seem to cut down the wind buffeting significantly.

I was going to invent something that attaches to the helmet strap that stops the wind noise, but someone already did. I may improve on it though... we'll see once my order comes in.

The down side to the Ipod is that the music makes your legs hurt.

I ride with one earbud in, the ear away from traffic. I use the Sony S2 earbuds that clip over the ear.
Works well for me.

i ALWAYS ride with my iPod, no matter what the distance. i have a wired remote that clips to the strap on my bag so i can pause/skip/change volume as needed, the pod stays in my bag. i love riding with music.

They make snowboarding helmets with earphones in 'em. During cold months, that might be fun. I think REI had one on sale (off-season) for like $35. Edit: it's the Bad Lieutenant Audio (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47843690&parent_category_rn=11785384&vcat=REI_SSHP_SNOWBOARD_TOC)

I don't listen to music while I commute. I actually enjoy hearing cars and road noises -- makes me feel more connected to the here-and-now. IMHO, it's probably not a great idea to block sound from your ears on a bike, but the way I figure it, car drivers with stereos are doing the same thing. Of course, they have those wonderful steel cages to protect them if something goes awry.

Okay, the ride and everything is great but sometimes I want a little more. IS it possible to listen to music and ride? Possibly I am suffering from ISA (IPOD separation anxiety) and seek to find a cure? help?


Sure it's possible to ride and listen to music at the same time, but would I recommend it? NO! Why? because you need to be able to hear oncoming traffic coming behind you, or another rider yelling "on your left", and you can't do that effectively with music being pumped in your ears. Stay safe and alert and allow all your senses to operate without restricting their abilities. Anyway's that's my advice, you can of course do whatever you want.

Sure it's possible to ride and listen to music at the same time, but would I recommend it? NO! Why? because you need to be able to hear oncoming traffic coming behind you, or another rider yelling "on your left", and you can't do that effectively with music being pumped in your ears.When I'm screaming down a hill at 40 mph, I'm not going to hear a car coming up behind me. Even while going slowly uphill, hearing is secondary to vision by a long shot.

Also, no rider who has passed me (other than on a group ride) has bothered to say, "on your left." It's "Good morning" if it's anything at all.

you need to be able to hear oncoming traffic coming behind you, or another rider yelling "on your left", and you can't do that effectively with music being pumped in your ears.
What exactly is a cyclist who is riding properly, supposed to effectively do after hearing another cyclist yelling "on your left"? In addition, what is a cyclist who rides in traffic supposed to effectively do when he hears that he is not the only person on the road?

What exactly is a cyclist who is riding properly, supposed to effectively do after hearing another cyclist yelling "on your left"?
Not merge or move left until he's been passed, I'd guess.

In addition, what is a cyclist who rides in traffic supposed to effectively do when he hears that he is not the only person on the road?

Not ride in wide, swooping loops all over the road for the sheer joy of it, I'd guess.

Laika,
holds his line when warned by others and uses every inch of the road for fun when available.

Not merge or move left until he's been passed, I'd guess.


Not ride in wide, swooping loops all over the road for the sheer joy of it, I'd guess.

Laika,
holds his line when warned by others and uses every inch of the road for fun when available.


There's so many people out for their "afternoon cruise" on the Sammamish River Trail in the afternoon, and it's amazing to see how many of them just swerve from edge to edge of the trail, rockin' along with their iPod, and not paying attention to anything going on around them; like the fact that there are people behind them, trying to pass safely by giving an "on your left" warning to no avail. Twice so far, I've used my traffic whistle (chrome coach's whistle) to get someone's attention when the regular warning didn't work.
I've seen a lot of people on the SRT riding with headphones, but many of them just wear one side so they can still hear what's going on around them.
I don't like to use the whistle at other cyclists, it's startling and brash and kind of rude. But on the same note, it's rude and unsafe to space out and hog the entire trail, too.

I don't usually listen to music on my commute because it's my quiet-time to just enjoy the day before most people are up and about, but sometimes on my ride home I like to put in my headphone (just one side) and rock out to some old metal tunes.

But on the same note, it's rude and unsafe to space out and hog the entire trail, too.


Oh, I was thinking a lot less of trails or MUPs and a lot more of the times when I look around and say, "Goddamn! Broadway/7th Avenue/Hudson Street/wherever I am is a ghosttown! I'm gonna ride like a loon for a block or two!" Most of the MUPs and trails around these parts are both busy and not nearly wide enough to use to get your loop on, kwis?

(and for the record, I think headphones of any sort are pretty dumb to wear here in the city, whether riding or promenading as a ped. New York demands and rewards your full attention, and punishes space cadets.)

A lot of headphones come with a warning not to operate a motor vehicle while listening to them.

On a bike, I find it easy to sense cars no matter how fast I'm going because of their engine/tire noise. Its an oncoming roar that gets louder and louder. Hearing tells me when I should look back, even if its only to alert an apprehensive driver. If I relied on a mirror, I'd have to worry about blind spots, and it would divert more attention away from the road. Keep in mind, I commute in the city, and have to be aware of my surroundings. If your commute is lightly traveled, maybe you can get away with headphones.

We have this conversation about once per week here at 'ol BF. If the safety issue doesn't make its case on pure logic, well then plug in, tune out, and be well.

For lots of folks, me included, cycling is an opportunity to Detach from the Matrix for a while.

Hearing is the NUMBER ONE safety asset. It warns you about what you cannot see. Everything from trucks to moose. Dozens of times already this year I've nearly run into other bikers or joggers wearing those high tech earphone plugs and listening to music, unable to hear me or my bell. They're as bad as the cagers, lost in their little world.

There are two camps. Join one. Don't preach. Enjoy.

There are two camps. Join one. Don't preach. Enjoy.

+1 as long as you aren't listening in a group ride. Its anti-social and dangerous.

This is the way I roll. :)

http://www.quadmag.com/ten/gallery/images/boombox.jpg

I ride one heck of a lot faster with a good tune. Throw in a nice static x song and my speed goes up a few miles an hr. The only issue with this is it can exhaust me if my MP3 player picks a fair amount of good cycling songs in a row. Hence the reason I have kept a few slower tunes on my player.

Amature riders don't believe hearing is a useful sense! As one very experienced rider commented, your hearing will hear things before your eyes do especially when the object is coming from the rear. You can hear a car coming, you can hear other cyclist or hear someone say "on your left" which is your cue to stay to your right or hold your line. You can also tell by the sound of a car engine that if it suddenly accelerates it's a good bet the car is going to race you to the next corner and cut you off in the process which could ruin your whole day if you didn't hear the car and prepare to slow down. You can hear dogs coming at you...etc, etc, etc, just use your brains and listen!!!!

So, now we are resorting to calling those who ride with earphones amateurs?
How about you use your brains and realize that most of us are adults and can make appropriate decisions based upon our particular situations.
I've had enough of nosy busy bodies.

Nosy means I have intruded upon some elses business when it was intended to be private, since this is a public forum your intentions on calling me nosy are invalid. Try calling me a different name that I could accept!

Amature riders don't believe hearing is a useful sense! As one very experienced rider commented, your hearing will hear things before your eyes do especially when the object is coming from the rear. You can hear a car coming, you can hear other cyclist or hear someone say "on your left" which is your cue to stay to your right or hold your line. You can also tell by the sound of a car engine that if it suddenly accelerates it's a good bet the car is going to race you to the next corner and cut you off in the process which could ruin your whole day if you didn't hear the car and prepare to slow down. You can hear dogs coming at you...etc, etc, etc, just use your brains and listen!!!!

NYC head phone commuter here. Drop by and we'll take you for a few rides around town.
It's the amateurs that have no clue what it's like.
I can hear the music and cars perfectly if you have it set at the right volume. You just need the right equipment and experience.

Hearing is the NUMBER ONE safety asset. It warns you about what you cannot see. Everything from trucks to moose. Dozens of times already this year I've nearly run into other bikers or joggers wearing those high tech earphone plugs and listening to music, unable to hear me or my bell. They're as bad as the cagers, lost in their little world.

Yeah.. come to NYC when you have traffic around you 360 and try to figure out where the sounds are coming from.
Different strokes for different folks. I def would not ride on a 60mph freeway with headphones though.

Nosy means I have intruded upon some elses business when it was intended to be private, since this is a public forum your intentions on calling me nosy are invalid. Try calling me a different name that I could accept!


How about safety ninnie?
Does that offend your sensibilities?

Anyhow, I only listen on MUPs. ....blah blah blah other cyclists. At 5am in the middle of nowhere? I don't think so. This argument is quite repetitive. It's not like anyone on either side will ever say anything that will change the opposite's opinion.

Yeah.. come to NYC when you have traffic around you 360 and try to figure out where the sounds are coming from.
Different strokes for different folks. I def would not ride on a 60mph freeway with headphones though.

I thought all pro riders could ride at 60mph!

Yeah.. come to NYC when you have traffic around you 360 and try to figure out where the sounds are coming from.
Different strokes for different folks. I def would not ride on a 60mph freeway with headphones though.


I think I would almost rather have an exam with your avatar than ride on a freeway around here. :p

How about safety ninnie?
Does that offend your sensibilities?

A ninnie? well, now I've been truely rudely and crudely insulted...I accept that!

A ninnie? well, now I've been truely rudely and crudely insulted...I accept that!


I can do rudely and crudely if that would make your evening :p

Anyhow, time for bed.

I can do rudely and crudely if that would make your evening :p

Anyhow, time for bed.

sleep good, but take the headphones off before going to bed or you may not hear the dream teller come.

I didn't mean to start an arguing debate. I just wanted to know if I could listen to my music to pump my ride up. Obviously people do at their own discretion and yeah no one is going to change anyone else's mind. Therefore, one can only change themself. think about it and see what you come up with.

Until, then I attached my speaker mic to my IPOD and that sits in the top of my book bag. It becomes a part of the ambiance and does not overwhelm it. I know to keep my wits about me.

thank you for the advice and will take it to heart.

Madscot13; we're not really arguing, we're just trying to have some fun by not letting these forums become too boring!

However if you pause and think about what all the posters said you should be able to make a decision based on your own ideas. It's true we're all adults...except for me, I'm a ninnie, anyways we need to make our own decisions as too what level of safety we're willing to ride at. I'm sure if this same question was asked about wearing a helmet or not we would get the same sort of response, some will some won't. I've been riding bikes for over 30 years and 15 of those I raced and I was one of the few early on that wore a helmet! Everyone's excuses back then was that wearing a helmet was adding weight and they were too hot to which I replied, "if your too weak to wear a helmet your too weak to ride a bike!" Of course I got quite a response from that!!! But you have too make up your mind if you want your senses to be at 100% or 75% while riding.

Another (secondary, safety being primary) reason why I don't ride without music is because I like to take a break from the noise of mans world and enjoy the sounds of nature.

IMO, More than possible; preferred.
This week's fix; on shuffle mode:
Beethoven - 9th Symphony (techno remix)
Beethoven - Fur Elise (Techno Remix)
Big Sexy - Another World
Boston DJ - Move Your Body (DJ Jean & Peran Speed Garage mix
C + C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.
c&c music factory - Pride (In the Nam
chicks on speed - this is house music
Club Music Techno- Euro House Mix
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round
--------------------<snip>-----------------------

Id be way more worried about an ectasy flashback than traffic with
this mix :roflmao:

Really though....above 14 mph wind noise makes hearing some cars
impossble anyway. Mirrors are good.

sorry I was worried that you guys had gone crazy berserker.

my bad, argue on

I like to make my own music. Startles some of the people I meet on the Springwater R2T between Boring and Portland, OR, but not as much as the elderly Asian cyclist who rides no-hands and beats drumsticks on his handlebars and thighs while listening to music so loud I can hear it 20 feet away. I used to see him several times a week, but my work schedule changed and now I hardly ever see him. I miss him.

What exactly is a cyclist who is riding properly, supposed to effectively do after hearing another cyclist yelling "on your left"? In addition, what is a cyclist who rides in traffic supposed to effectively do when he hears that he is not the only person on the road?

I use my ears to decide when to run red lights and stop signs. If I wore earphones, I could no longer do this as well. Works well for me as a tradeoff.

I use my ears to decide when to run red lights and stop signs. If I wore earphones, I could no longer do this as well. Works well for me as a tradeoff.
Are you blind? If not, I suggest using your eyes.

My $.02 worth...
I used to be in the anti-headphones camp. Idiots would be on the MUP blasting tunes into their head so loud. You could scream right behind them and they still couldn't hear you coming. That is madness and causes me to just automatically buzz anyone with headphones. {the ones that don't hear the warnings anyways**

Now that I have tried ear buds, I can honestly say that I can hear just as well, if not better when the music is at a reasonable level. Reasonable Level being the key words. The ear buds seem to reduce the wind buffeting noise enough to improve overall hearing.

In the end, I am a convert. I listen. I rock. The only negative is one that Data Junkie has pointed out... The Ipod make your legs tired.

Are you blind? If not, I suggest using your eyes.

portland's full of narrow urban streets. in many intersections, it's impossible to see whether or not a car's coming unless either you're already crossing or it is. listening for cars is quite helpful in this context.


i don't think there's anything wrong with listening to music while you ride. i choose not to because i think it would make me slower. why does this bother you?

If I am out by myself (for a commute or just hitting the trails solo) I don't go anywhere without my iPod. I work better wth music in my head. I tend to use the heavy stuff and the podrunner mixes. Great stuff to pound to. I also keep the volume where I can groove to the music but am still able to be audibly aware of my surroundings. I still can hear the "on your left" (although those are getting fewer on the daily commute:D ).

If I'm out with others the iPod stays at home. Chats while on the trials are always fun.

portland's full of narrow urban streets. in many intersections, it's impossible to see whether or not a car's coming unless either you're already crossing or it is. listening for cars is quite helpful in this context.
How do motorists cross such streets? I find it hard to believe that they find it necessary to open their windows (in all weather conditions no less) to listen for traffic at urban intersections.

Ok so I am on the fence in this debate. I love riding with music but feel horribly unsafe with headphones in. I have ridden with headphones in for years but quit once I moved to the big city (Madison WI- San Francisco CA). This weekend I took these crappy little speakers that my GF uses for a test ride. I plugged them into the ipod and then stuck them in a pocket of my messenger bag that is relatively close to my left ear (on the back of my left shoulder -where the strap comes over.) The speakers are crappy enough that if there is a car right next to me I can't even hear the music. The good thing is that I could hear that car coming just as well as if I didnt have crappy little second rate speakers in my bag. It is not quite the best of both worlds because even ona quick descent the wind noise is enough to drown out the speakers but I still feel like I can use my hearing and most of the time I can catch a tune as well.

This is the way I roll. :)

http://www.quadmag.com/ten/gallery/images/boombox.jpg

funky as ****.

i only ride with music when i am on campus doing random crap because its not such a big deal. i put my helmet in my bag and wear earhuggers, pseudo studio headphones.. i kinda wish i could ride more often with headphones but i need to be able to hear the people honking at me so i can give them the finger. i mean, keep tabs on where people are.