Southern California - That Felt Great!!

Just returned from my morning loop around the neighborhood. 40º with a gentle (cool) breeze. What a great way to start the day!!

Just returned from my morning loop around the neighborhood. 40º with a gentle (cool) breeze. What a great way to start the day!!
You're crazy. Completely crazy. :D

You're crazy. Completely crazy. :D

+1! :eek:

You're crazy. Completely crazy. :D


yes, I am

But, it is unbelievable out there. Who'd thunk it?

I like night riding but early, very early, morning riding has it beat!! Zero cars!! So peaceful, just some joggers and me. I ride a fixed gear so it silently cuts through the streets, I really can't describe it.

OK, who's with me tomorrow? M.E.? Brandy? Come on, you'll love it!!!


I forgot to mention, since there are no cars, I am actually going to join the iPod world.

OK, who's with me tomorrow? M.E.? Brandy? Come on, you'll love it!!!


I forgot to mention, since there are no cars, I am actually going to join the iPod world.
Well it's funny you mention it, I am going to start riding in the mornings, at least until I replace my headlight.

But as far a the ipod goes, :mad: :mad: :mad: I know a lot of people on here do it, but I think it incredibly dangerous no matter what. I know when I ride my bike, I want to hear everything around me. And if you ride in LA, there are always cars! They can sneak up on you. :eek:

Well it's funny you mention it, I am going to start riding in the mornings, at least until I replace my headlight.

But as far a the ipod goes, :mad: :mad: :mad: I know a lot of people on here do it, but I think it incredibly dangerous no matter what. I know when I ride my bike, I want to hear everything around me. And if you ride in LA, there are always cars! They can sneak up on you. :eek:

I totally agree with you on the iPod except, I really do not run into any cars on my morning route. No traffic signals, nothing. It is all hills. So, I am going to try it, one ear to start.

If I were riding with ANY traffic, I would not, I know my ears have kept me out of a few crashes.

OK, who's with me tomorrow? M.E.? Brandy? Come on, you'll love it!!!


Considering that it took me 20 minutes in a hot shower yesterday to warm back up after my ride (and the temps were in the mid-high 50's) I'm going to say...ummm...thanks for the offer, but NO THANKS! :p

Thomson: Don't use the stock iPod earbuds...they're crap, and let in a lot of wind noise. I got some plugs that actually go in the ear canal and have a silicone rubber seal. Work great. I'll see if I can find 'em online.

Considering that it took me 20 minutes in a hot shower yesterday to warm back up after my ride (and the temps were in the mid-high 50's) I'm going to say...ummm...thanks for the offer, but NO THANKS! :p

You need a jacuzzi

Thomson: Don't use the stock iPod earbuds...they're crap, and let in a lot of wind noise. I got some plugs that actually go in the ear canal and have a silicone rubber seal. Work great. I'll see if I can find 'em online.

Thanks, I was wondering which earphones come with them. I don't need anything fancy, high fidelity is not that important. I just don't want something that falls out.

Get something like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-EX51LP-Fontopia-Headphones-White/dp/B000779RZU/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b/102-5768052-6520906

Since you're only going to use 1 ear (which is what I suggest...never two ears with in-ear earphones), you're only going to get 1 side of the stereo spectrum anyway, so fidelity is of little concern.

Up front: I probably won't change your opinion NOR do I intend to. And after reading you on BF for awhile, I certainly respect you, your accomplishments, and wish no offense. (Am I getting serious enough?) So this is just my two cents:


I know when I ride my bike, I want to hear everything around me. I like to as well, but when I ride (sans-headphones/ipod/whatever) the wind makes hearing everything impossible anyway. I can barely hear other riders talking right next to me (of course, that could just be my grey hair...:rolleyes:)


And if you ride in LA, there are always cars! I don't use earphones all the time...and at first, I held your position of no earphones at any time. But now, in the early AM (I commute to work from 4:30--6:10am) I use them on bike paths near home and through Griffith Park. It's completely dark: any cars approaching I can see their headlights. I also keep the volume down so I can hear the louder noises (I suppose every little bit helps...)

On the way home (3:30--5:15pm)...no earphones. Too much traffic then.


They can sneak up on you. :eek:Is it possible a car could have its lights off? Yep. 'Course stranger things happen during the daytime when I can't see their headlights anyway. :rolleyes:

Get something like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-EX51LP-Fontopia-Headphones-White/dp/B000779RZU/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b/102-5768052-6520906

Since you're only going to use 1 ear (which is what I suggest...never two ears with in-ear earphones), you're only going to get 1 side of the stereo spectrum anyway, so fidelity is of little concern.

How well do they stay in the ear? I was considering the "over the head" style and leave one (or both) of the ear pieces just outside the ear.

I don't know if I have that model...I think I have Sonys, but they may be JVC. Some come with different size ear pieces so you can custom-fit them to your ear.

I think the only time I had one pull out was when I turned my head and there wasn't enough slack in the cord. Now I give the cord a few turns around my chin strap and it's never fallen out.

You could always get one that has a rubber hook that goes over the ear. I tried one, but it made my glasses uncomfortable. I think the over-the-head style would annoy me, having one of the ear pieces up against the side of my head.

I don't know if I have that model...I think I have Sonys, but they may be JVC. Some come with different size ear pieces so you can custom-fit them to your ear.

I think the only time I had one pull out was when I turned my head and there wasn't enough slack in the cord. Now I give the cord a few turns around my chin strap and it's never fallen out.

You could always get one that has a rubber hook that goes over the ear. I tried one, but it made my glasses uncomfortable. I think the over-the-head style would annoy me, having one of the ear pieces up against the side of my head.

Good info. I will check out the various options. Thanks.

There are what I use...
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00006JILW.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Sony (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-Headphones-Non-Slip-Design/dp/B00006JILW/sr=1-15/qid=1164815465/ref=sr_1_15/103-0555552-8823066?ie=UTF8&s=electronics)

There are what I use...
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00006JILW.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Sony (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-Headphones-Non-Slip-Design/dp/B00006JILW/sr=1-15/qid=1164815465/ref=sr_1_15/103-0555552-8823066?ie=UTF8&s=electronics)

That looks secure.

btw, at the risk of further pissing off M.E., on these morning rides, I do not wear glasses or a helmet. So, no interference there.

That looks secure.

btw, at the risk of further pissing off M.E., on these morning rides, I do not wear glasses or a helmet. So, no interference there.

The helmet strap behind my ear actually holds the headphones in place, and the forward facing speaker does not hinder your hearing as much as true ear plugs. I also used a pair during the entire Solvang Spring Double and they did not short out (it rained a little bit that day...).

The helmet strap behind my ear actually holds the headphones in place, and the forward facing speaker does not hinder your hearing as much as true ear plugs. I also used a pair during the entire Solvang Spring Double and they did not short out (it rained a little bit that day...).

a LITTLE?? I rode that double as well and I remember it being a bit more than a drizzle. A friend that I was riding with ruined his Brooks that day. Mine came through with no issues.
I also caught the Butterflood (2005) ride. I do have a knack for pickin' them.

Back to the original point, yes, it was really nice riding out early this morning. There were surprisingly many roadies out despite the cold. And it really wasn't too bad after a few minutes to let my legs warm up. A few miles in, I found myself at the bottom of a short hill with a group of comparable speed climbers. We hit the hill hard, and another guy and I took off at a speed I've never climbed that hill at. And then near the top, as I was fading, he turned it up another notch and blew right by me. I definitely didn't feel cold after that little excursion.

Back to the original point, yes, it was really nice riding out early this morning. There were surprisingly many roadies out despite the cold. And it really wasn't too bad after a few minutes to let my legs warm up. A few miles in, I found myself at the bottom of a short hill with a group of comparable speed climbers. We hit the hill hard, and another guy and I took off at a speed I've never climbed that hill at. And then near the top, as I was fading, he turned it up another notch and blew right by me. I definitely didn't feel cold after that little excursion.

My loop is all short hills, no flat areas at all. So I am either working to go up the hills or trying to keep the fixed slow enough going down. I don't experience the windchill factor. All I am wearing is jeans and a sweatshirt. If i was out on the open road, it certainly would be colder.

The gentle breeze I experienced this morning has turned into some pretty strong winds. Glad I got the ride out of the way.

too early and toooooo cold, I was warm in bed til 8:30

too early and toooooo cold, I was warm in bed til 8:30
Agreed I have to wait at least until 9am to start riding. The traffic has slowed down, and it's not so cold.

might be colder tomorrow with all the winds we're going to get.....BURRRRRR

might be colder tomorrow with all the winds we're going to get.....BURRRRRR

I will let you know. I should be done about 5:00am. Care to join me? Brandy is.

I think I'll ride tomorrow morning, also. Separately, unfortunately. Ventura County's too far away.

I think I'll ride tomorrow morning, also. Separately, unfortunately. Ventura County's too far away.

Sigh, yes it is quite a haul for you. Maybe you can carpool with Brandy. That way you only have to drive alone to Orange County.

Thomson is smoking the funny stuff again if he thinks I'm riding in the cold! :p

Thomson is smoking the funny stuff again if he thinks I'm riding in the cold! :p

How do you think I can ride in the cold?

Up front: I probably won't change your opinion NOR do I intend to. And after reading you on BF for awhile, I certainly respect you, your accomplishments, and wish no offense. (Am I getting serious enough?) So this is just my two cents:

You respect me? Then you haven't been reading me on BF closely enough. :p :lol:
Seriously, I know that I ask for it when I give this unpopular opinion, but I really stick by it. Of course, I've had idiots (and yes, I can call them that since my well-being was put in jeopardy) who haven't heard me on organized rides when I've passed them - and I assume it is the music they are listening to, although, yes, at times wind can affect hearing as well. Honestly (not making this up), I've had two separate riders (both men by the way...not that women don't do it too) almost come over and hit me and then snap at me with their ear plug firmly in place while doing so! :mad: Let's just say, I can be really nasty when I want to be...;)