General Cycling Discussion - Why put music in a cycling video?

I'm probably going to get slammed for this, but here goes...

Why do so many people put music over the audio of their ride/race videos? When I watch a video I only want to hear what the rider heard or did during their ride. It really kills the experience for me to have to listen to someone else's taste in music for the entire video. If I wanted to hear music while watching a video I could always mute the audio and play one of my mp3 files instead.

Every time I see one of these ruined videos I have to play one of my own climbing videos to hear what a cycling video should sound like.

Does anyone else feel the same way, or am I the only one?

Does anyone else feel the same way, or am I the only one?

Both.

Obviously everybody doesn't feel that way or they wouldn't have dubbed music onto the video. On the other hand, I strongly doubt that you're the only one.

I think you've mis-categorized these videos... they're actually "music videos" that happen to have a spattering of cycle related material thrown in for entertainment purposes. Real cycling videos don't have music.

I put music on my videos now; otherwise you'll just
hear wind noise, the cassette clicking or car horns.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsheHs53Xk

They're little movies. Movies have soundtracks. I guess it's kinda expected.

It's their movie. If they want to put music or whatever in them, it's their business. I don't think they really care what you think.

Every time I see one of these ruined videos I have to play one of my own climbing videos to hear what a cycling video should sound like.


Can we get a taste of your climbing vid?

Can we get a taste of your climbing vid?
Sure, as soon as I lose the last 40 pounds I'm working on (should be within the next few months if I keep it up like I've been doing). Right now all my climbing videos are on my hard drive and not on YouTube, since I don't want to bore people with my slow climbing speed (and no, music wouldn't help that problem :p).

Don't get me wrong. I don't get on the YouTube comments section and start blasting people for how they edited their video. I wouldn't want my comments lumped in with all the other idiotic, trolling ones we all love so much :rolleyes: I chose to ask the question about music here instead so I could get an idea why the overwhelming majority of people put music on their videos. It is an honest question.

If the videos really are supposed to be like a movie or television show, then I guess music is to be expected. But even a typical TV show or movie at least lets you hear SOME of the background audio most of the time. The cycling videos I'm talking about have ALL of the audio replaced by music. Some people do this for every single cycling video they put on YouTube.

Maybe it's because I have watched so much freelance/stringer footage of things like police chases, fires etc, and amateur footage of events that ordinary people have recorded that I have come to expect and appreciate "raw" video. The clips people post of things they saw or did let me experience what they did while they were shooting the video. When I watch a video of someone climbing and descending a road I have ridden on before, it brings back fond memories of my past rides on that road. It's kind of like taking video at an event you attended and keeping it for memory's sake. It is fun to play it back later and relive the experience.

Here is an example of someone who probably thinks like me, at least a little bit:
http://pennyfarthingmadness.blogspot.com/2007/09/ankerdine-hill-climb.html

Read what he has to say about this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSHRznVQnlc) that he posted a few years ago.

Here is another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr9kX6lk9II) hill climb video someone posted last fall. Before he starts the climb he says "well, we'll see what it's like".

You get to watch both of these rides from beginning to end, and on the last one there is some footage of the finishing area.

9 times out of 10 the music doesn't fit. I've seen videos of rides through peaceful countrysides with a death metal music track. If the music overwhelms the visual, the music is wrong.

9 times out of 10 the music doesn't fit. I've seen videos of rides through peaceful countrysides with a death metal music track. If the music overwhelms the visual, the music is wrong.
Ain't that the truth! I have seen tons of those videos. BEAUTIFUL mountain rides in the Sierras, but ear-splitting metal music. The mute button gets hit real quick on those!

I did find one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvZj9_Qzb4) video that actually had a song I liked. It was a descent video so I knew I wasn't missing quite as much by hearing music instead of wind noise. If it had been a climbing video I would have missed out on nature sounds and other background noises. I have found out from my own handlebar-cam climbing videos that wind noise is usually not a problem unless I am near the top of a mountain pass.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFzbNr75hXE) is one of my only two descent videos. There is some wind noise, but it isn't as loud as I thought it would be. You can also hear the camera strap flapping in the breeze, which is why my current ride camera has no strap. I am riding my MTB on the road in that video, so I'm not able to pedal down the mountain due to the 42-14 high gear. I have another video of that same descent shot from my road bike, but cars in the way kind of ruined it because I couldn't get the speed I wanted. That video isn't on YouTube.

My climb video of that ride? 5-6 mph up the whole 3 mile climb. By looking at other people's Garmin Connect data for the same ride I found that almost everyone else climbs that road several mph faster than me.

I put music to my videos mainly because I like music, I also try to match my editing to the song. When I make a video the fun is in the editing as much as it was in the ride. I realize that not all people like all music but you can't please everyone. I have to admit to making a small movie rather than just a raw ride video. http://www.vimeo.com/18604943 This is just one example of my editing style. By the way Ben your video is great without the music.

I put music to my videos mainly because I like music, I also try to match my editing to the song. When I make a video the fun is in the editing as much as it was in the ride. I realize that not all people like all music but you can't please everyone. I have to admit to making a small movie rather than just a raw ride video. http://www.vimeo.com/18604943 This is just one example of my editing style. By the way Ben your video is great without the music.
That was a nicely edited short movie. I like the camera angles too.

I'm glad you liked my video :). I wish I could change my username on here, as I now see it confuses people. I made that name up when my primary ride was a recumbent trike, hence the name "bentrike". I'm actually a female, so my name's not Ben. Sorry for the confusion.

After watching the Ankerdine hill climb video, I can see why people put music in there. Listening to the wind and the guy moaning is painful, man. I know the noises that happen on bike rides from doing them myself.

W/o music, all you will hear is heavy breathing, so it will sound like porn.:(

After watching the Ankerdine hill climb video, I can see why people put music in there. Listening to the wind and the guy moaning is painful, man. I know the noises that happen on bike rides from doing them myself.
True, but you've got to admit that the video accomplishes the author's goal to allow the viewer to "experience the pain of a hill climb", as he said on his blog. Also it lets people see the reality of climbing. Since I like raw video, I like realistic-sounding videos.


W/o music, all you will hear is heavy breathing, so it will sound like porn.:(
Gives new meaning to the phrase "bike porn" :D

Some of us women like to hear male heavy breathing :p OK, I will shut up now! Seriously though, as far as heavy breathing is concerned, see my reply to the poster above you. My videos sound pretty, uh, interesting too, but that is part of the fun for me when I watch them after a ride. Sometimes it's downright hilarious, especially on grades over 10%.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFzbNr75hXE) is one of my only two descent videos.

OK - I'm curious. Living in the flatlands and having only returned to cycling after many years away, I've never ridden a descent of really any kind (much less the prerequisite climb! :-). So, I'm asking for my general edification...

How much of such a ride is brake-riding for self-preservation vs. flat-out slipstreamed, unfettered coasting for max speed?

Just curious. :)

All depends on the descent.

- On one extreme are most of the mtn descents around here: full of hairpin turns, so you need to keep your speed down to make the next turn, (especially if you are a big guy like me). e.g. Flagstaff Mt, Lookout Mt.

- At the other extreme is my favorite descent: Echo Lake to Idaho Springs. Just a few fairly large radius turns, so if I choose my line correctly, I can descend for 30 minutes w/o touching the brakes and w/o pedaling.

In radio its called 'dead air', thats why music segments divide up interview segments, to
avoid dead air like the plague, or people dial away..

OK - I'm curious. Living in the flatlands and having only returned to cycling after many years away, I've never ridden a descent of really any kind (much less the prerequisite climb! :-). So, I'm asking for my general edification...

How much of such a ride is brake-riding for self-preservation vs. flat-out slipstreamed, unfettered coasting for max speed?

Just curious. :)
On my video I only braked on some of the turns, probably not a lot. If I was a more daring descender and had been riding a road bike instead of my mtb, I would have braked less. However, the thought of a nasty crash at speed keeps me from taking too many risks.

I put music on my videos now; otherwise you'll just
hear wind noise, the cassette clicking or car horns.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsheHs53Xk

I guess I'm too conservative and rural. I'm amazed how none of you pays any attention to traffic lights or lane markings in New York. No wonder there's plenty of roadkill there! I'll stay out west, thank you.

On my video I only braked on some of the turns, probably not a lot. If I was a more daring descender and had been riding a road bike instead of my mtb, I would have braked less. However, the thought of a nasty crash at speed keeps me from taking too many risks.

Who need a road bike for descending?:p

http://www.dim.com/~ryoder/bldr-cyn-50mph.mov

Who need a road bike for descending?:p

http://www.dim.com/~ryoder/bldr-cyn-50mph.mov

Nice! I wonder where this is? Looks like the Sierras, but it could probably be Colorado too ;).

Boulder Canyon.
This clip was shot halfway between Nederland and Boulder.
I was also on a mtn bike, but with 1.25" slicks.

Every time I see one of these ruined videos I have to play one of my own climbing videos to hear what a cycling video should sound like.

Does anyone else feel the same way, or am I the only one?

I wouldn't go as far as calling one your videos ruined eventhough it's not my taste. IMO, the wind noise after 30 seconds is boring so I use music.

My descent video with music has 842 views and your non music video has 63, to each his own I guess.:D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6jBSRAO4qY

Boulder Canyon.
This clip was shot halfway between Nederland and Boulder.
I was also on a mtn bike, but with 1.25" slicks.

I haven't been up the canyon in a few years (I'm originally from south of Denver around Castle Rock and Franktown), and so I was cringing when I saw how decomposed the pavement has become. I would ride a motorcycle with big tires on that, but on a bicycle with any less than 1.5" wide tires, it would be way too spooky for me.

I'll chime in...

I put music where I think it is appropriate. There is a reality, that sometimes the videos just sound like choppy wind noise...that being said there are times where I specifically leave the road noise in, especially on bombing descents..if you go fast enough it sounds like jet roar. It's the best of both worlds and a hybrid.

Music is an extension of who we are as people, no two people are exactly the same, neither is taste in music or interpretation. Live and let live and appreciate the amount of time it actually takes to edit down 3 hours into something we care enough about to share. :)

Here is an example of cutting the music to enjoy the road noise "roar" (you can jump to 2:20 in and catch it...then more good roar at 5:30 when the speed picks up).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VnPc_7uIT8

I wouldn't go as far as calling one your videos ruined eventhough it's not my taste. IMO, the wind noise after 30 seconds is boring so I use music.

My descent video with music has 842 views and your non music video has 63, to each his own I guess.:D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6jBSRAO4qY
Yours was uploaded a year ago. Mine was uploaded in late August of last year. Also, I never linked my video to any other sites until today. Did you?

Boulder Canyon.
This clip was shot halfway between Nederland and Boulder.
I was also on a mtn bike, but with 1.25" slicks.

Boy does that bring back memories of when I used to live in Boulder while I was training and riding 6/7 hours a day. I used to ride my hardtail down that stretch and would ALWAYS seem to pinch flat when rolling back into town by the park.

The run down Flagstaff coming back from a day's work at Walker Ranch was always a good run too...good times.

I'll chime in...

I put music where I think it is appropriate. There is a reality, that sometimes the videos just sound like choppy wind noise...that being said there are times where I specifically leave the road noise in, especially on bombing descents..if you go fast enough it sounds like jet roar. It's the best of both worlds and a hybrid.

Music is an extension of who we are as people, no two people are exactly the same, neither is taste in music or interpretation. Live and let live and appreciate the amount of time it actually takes to edit down 3 hours into something we care enough about to share. :)

Here is an example of cutting the music to enjoy the road noise "roar" (you can jump to 2:20 in and catch it...then more good roar at 5:30 when the speed picks up).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VnPc_7uIT8

I like the descent part, but had to mute the audio on the climb. No offense, but like 99% of cycling video songs, that one wasn't to my liking. I still prefer raw video, even if it means hearing heavy breathing. After all, that lets you know how much effort the rider put into the climb.

I think you've mis-categorized these videos... they're actually "music videos" that happen to have a spattering of cycle related material thrown in for entertainment purposes. Real cycling videos don't have music.

LOL! Amen to that!

I like the descent part, but had to mute the audio on the climb. No offense, but like 99% of cycling video songs, that one wasn't to my liking. I still prefer raw video, even if it means hearing heavy breathing. After all, that lets you know how much effort the rider put into the climb.

Well, I think my HR, Speed, and Grade telemetry leave no doubt on the climb. ;)

But, back the the conversation...

Well, that's just my point that you can't create videos trying to appease people. I for one dislike the sound of heavy breathing and would be more inclined to mute that over music...I realize that everybody has different tastes...sometimes if the track is right it just works too. Here is one where I sync'd one of our team training rides to a Nike+ running soundtrack by the Crystal Method. It's not something I listen to everyday, but the overall tonality and words match the video..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61eMVF_yD98&feature=player_embedded

Here is one of umd's videos that I just love...I think the soundtrack enhances the video perfectly...very emotive for electronic music, IMO.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9sreqSRV2U

Nice visuals, but again had to mute the audio on both videos. Don't get me wrong, I do love music and listen to it all the time, especially while climbing (in one ear only of course). I just don't like music on cycling videos. Other types of videos where I don't give a darn about what's in the background, no problem. But since cycling is what makes me the happiest, I hate to have the experience affected by music I don't like, or music completely covering the actual ride audio. Now if more people would let you hear the ride audio with the music in the background playing at a lower volume, that would be better. But like someone else said, to each their own I guess.

EDIT: I just found this documentary (http://www.wqed.org/tv/watch/series/its-pittsburgh/2011-01-26/) about the Dirty Dozen bike race in Pittsburgh, PA. While it's not raw video, it comes pretty close. The only music is at the beginning and end. You get a pretty good feel for what the riders are going through on those insanely steep hills. Since some of the YouTube videos with music on them are race videos shot from the sidelines, I thought it would be a good idea to give an example of a race video without music covering up the cheering spectators and other sounds.

Yours was uploaded a year ago. Mine was uploaded in late August of last year. Also, I never linked my video to any other sites until today. Did you?

8 months before yours but still 800 to 63 (doulbe yours, stil only 126). Another of my music videos was loaded 5 days ago and has 123 compared to your 63. Which is an MTB video but I won't slam your road downhill on an MTB eventhough it isn't my taste or something I'd ever post.

Yes, I post mine in other places for viewers to watch and hope they enjoy. Another reason I don't go online to criticize the video works of others. ;)

You really should post a climbing video so that we can compare your material to others. That way we understand exactly what you mean by our ride videos are ruined. Show us some of that excitement."D

I put music behind the video because the recorded soundtrack sucks. The quality sucks, and if there is any conversation, it consists of my voice REALLY LOUD and indistinguishable replies from my riding mates. You can't follow the conversation anyway, so I just get rid of it. Or, if I'm riding by myself, the porn breathing thing. I tend to use jazz music because it is interesting to me and there are lots of instrumental jazz tunes (I prefer instrumental for this use).

8 months before yours but still 800 to 63 (doulbe yours, stil only 126). Another of my music videos was loaded 5 days ago and has 123 compared to your 63. Which is an MTB video but I won't slam your road downhill on an MTB eventhough it isn't my taste or something I'd ever post.

Yes, I post mine in other places for viewers to watch and hope they enjoy. Another reason I don't go online to criticize the video works of others. ;)

You really should post a climbing video so that we can compare your material to others. That way we understand exactly what you mean by our ride videos are ruined. Show us some of that excitement."D
I seriously doubt that the reason your videos have more views is because they have music on them. I search for climbing videos regularly and have seen plenty of videos with and without music that had low view counts.

Like I said earlier, my climbing speed sucks right now because I'm still at least 40 pounds over my ideal weight. Try 5' 4", female, and 166 pounds. I need to be in the low 120s at least, maybe less. Do you really want to watch me going half the speed of all the other serious cyclists? Besides, after reading several replies about heavy breathing not being cool because it "sounds like porn", it is pretty obvious that if you don't have the latest and greatest telemetry gadgets to display your effort on the video, you are SOL and must resort to music to be considered one of the "cool peope". No thanks, I'll keep doing my own thing.

I have the right to my opinion about being subjected to music I don't like on the majority of cycling videos. People criticize movies all the time too. Should they be expected to make their own feature film in order to be qualified to have an opinion? I don't think so. I get tired of having to hit the mute button all the time. Silent movies are boring. Or I have to hit the mute button and listen to my own music. That's better, but still not ideal.

When I say a video is ruined I mean it is ruined FOR ME. Obviously it's not ruined for the in crowd, otherwise the overwhelming majority of cyclists wouldn't put music over their videos.

You have your opinion on this and I have mine. Neither one of us is going to change, and I'm not trying to force anyone else to change theirs. I just wanted to know why so many people put music on their videos. I got my answer.

8 months before yours but still 800 to 63 (double yours, stil only 126).

You realize half those views were people like me who just wanted to hear "Thunderstruck" again.:p

Nice visuals, but again had to mute the audio on both videos. Don't get me wrong, I do love music and listen to it all the time, especially while climbing (in one ear only of course). I just don't like music on cycling videos. Other types of videos where I don't give a darn about what's in the background, no problem. But since cycling is what makes me the happiest, I hate to have the experience affected by music I don't like, or music completely covering the actual ride audio. Now if more people would let you hear the ride audio with the music in the background playing at a lower volume, that would be better. But like someone else said, to each their own I guess.

EDIT: I just found this documentary (http://www.wqed.org/tv/watch/series/its-pittsburgh/2011-01-26/) about the Dirty Dozen bike race in Pittsburgh, PA. While it's not raw video, it comes pretty close. The only music is at the beginning and end. You get a pretty good feel for what the riders are going through on those insanely steep hills. Since some of the YouTube videos with music on them are race videos shot from the sidelines, I thought it would be a good idea to give an example of a race video without music covering up the cheering spectators and other sounds.

I heard from someone and am passing on a note. :)

umd says, "I'm conflicted". Generally I prefer to hear the bike/road sounds, but many people do not. Recently my bike has been creaking very obnoxiously and trust me, nobody wants to hear that. I've been experimenting with the audio swap to put some music in, but most of my videos are still raw.

Some of the videos I think that the sound works very well. The first one that I did the audio swap on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQAQPTbPCM), the raw audio was unbearable, I had to replace it with something. I really like the song I found and I think it fits very well. The tempo picks up as the pace does and adds some excitement.

On other videos like a race finish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQuHjbvzvFU) the other day, I thought it was important to leave the sound in. Other videos like this mid-ride segment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9-UMmUPfZ0), it doesn't really add anything and is fairly annoying.

That said, I have like a hundred subscribers and get dozens of hits on new videos, so I must be doing something right..."

EDIT: I just found this documentary (http://www.wqed.org/tv/watch/series/its-pittsburgh/2011-01-26/) about the Dirty Dozen bike race in Pittsburgh, PA. While it's not raw video, it comes pretty close. The only music is at the beginning and end. You get a pretty good feel for what the riders are going through on those insanely steep hills. Since some of the YouTube videos with music on them are race videos shot from the sidelines, I thought it would be a good idea to give an example of a race video without music covering up the cheering spectators and other sounds.

Well....

It it is a cool documentary, but I have to state that the points you are making are missing in this example. Nowhere in the video is there the same level of road noise, nor the porno breathing that we experience in first person efforts. You can see in that video, IMO, the anguish via their faces and body language more so than any audio. In fact, the audio is covered 95% of the time by narration. While a cool documentary, it doesn't come close in my opinion of the first person "sound effects", that we were discussing.

My descent video with music has 842 views and your non music video has 63, to each his own I guess.:D


AC/DC Rocks! I kept wanting to pedal my desk back up to 50 mph, though. You were doing what, 25-30 mph?

I've seen some videos that use harps or Beethoven or something that the creator must have thought was really great, but I thought sucks. Then I just turn down the sound and I can watch it without going crazy. Someday I'll learn to patch clips together to make better, more interesting videos.

I have the right to my opinion

Yeah you do. But posting this thread knowing you are criticizing the works of others, you knew you'd get some opposing opinions or you would not have included "I'm probably going to get slammed for this but here goes". You set yourself up so don't expect not to get opposing opinions.

AC/DC Rocks! I kept wanting to pedal my desk back up to 50 mph, though. You were doing what, 25-30 mph?.

I hit 42 max on that road. Others claim 55 but this is bike forums.:D


You realize half those views were people like me who just wanted to hear "Thunderstruck" again.:p

Yes! But the first month it received about 150 views after being posted. But still the count continues to grow and has reached 842 since.

Continues to grow, even if to listen to Thunderstruck, proves it's the music.:D

Like I said earlier, my climbing speed sucks right now because I'm still at least 40 pounds over my ideal weight. Try 5' 4", female, and 166 pounds. I need to be in the low 120s at least, maybe less. Do you really want to watch me going half the speed of all the other serious cyclists?

Sorry, that has nothing to do with low viewcount. I gaurantee that my wife is a slower climber than you. 321 views and posted after your video.

Sure I posted it elsewhere but if it sucked that bad, the count would have stopped at 30. AND THIS IS "DANCING QUEEN" BY ABBA WITH A SLOW CLIMBER!:roflmao2:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0a9zucfuHM

Worse than the music is when they put pop up words on the screen. I watch with the sound off and the titles below the screen field.

So since heavy breathing is good, does that mean this song is okay?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps6wRHFdKdA

Seriously though, I like music in my videos. Some really good uses of music to enhance the vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdjuHYDX_bk&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmm05pj5cwI&feature=fvwrel

It just has to fit the spirit of the video and add to the experience rather than distract.

Sorry, that has nothing to do with low viewcount. I gaurantee that my wife is a slower climber than you. 321 views and posted after your video.
Huh? Where did I say anything about my weight having anything to do with low viewcount. I never posted a climbing clip on YouTube and I never mentioned my weight on YouTube either.


Well....

It it is a cool documentary, but I have to state that the points you are making are missing in this example. Nowhere in the video is there the same level of road noise, nor the porno breathing that we experience in first person efforts. You can see in that video, IMO, the anguish via their faces and body language more so than any audio. In fact, the audio is covered 95% of the time by narration. While a cool documentary, it doesn't come close in my opinion of the first person "sound effects", that we were discussing.
Did you watch the whole show? If so, did you see the part where the cameraman was WALKING alongside a rider who was going very slow up a steep hill. You could hear him quite well. I also heard quieter clips of heavy breathing several times during the show. No, there was no road noise, but the entire show wasn't covered up with music.

Also, what's with all the "porno breathing" comments? Climbing is hard work. Sometimes it hurts. If you don't take in enough oxygen your muscles can't do the work. There is no reason to be ashamed of showing effort unless you are in a race and need to psych out your opponents. Normal everyday riding is not a race.

I refer you to this (http://theclimb.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/ready-to-edit-and-post-expert-advice-from-jonathan-vaughters/) blog by Jonathan Vaughters. Here's what he says about all this shame about breathing hard crap:

"Rule 2: Don’t be self-conscious.

Suffering isn’t pretty. It isn’t meant to be. If you are going about your business of climbing properly, you will be breathing like a water buffalo, sweating like a chain gang, and probably have snot dribbling off your chin. If this is not the case, you aren’t doing this correctly. Over the years I’ve ridden with so many people who are always worrying about breathing too hard in front of their buddy. You’re supposed to be in pain and you’re supposed to be breathing hard, I mean the harder you breath the more o2 you’ll get to your muscles, so let the image thing go, and get down and dirty with the hill. Anyway, if your buddy is two miles behind you, he can’t hear you breathing anymore, can he?"

Now I realize he could be being facetious, but I have a feeling this part is at least halfway serious, especially the part about getting oxygen to your muscles.

Huh? Where did I say anything about my weight having anything to do with low viewcount. I never posted a climbing clip on YouTube and I never mentioned my weight on YouTube either.

Wow! I see you have a hard time relating my response to your post.

I heard from someone and am passing on a note. :)

umd says, "I'm conflicted". Generally I prefer to hear the bike/road sounds, but many people do not. Recently my bike has been creaking very obnoxiously and trust me, nobody wants to hear that. I've been experimenting with the audio swap to put some music in, but most of my videos are still raw.

Some of the videos I think that the sound works very well. The first one that I did the audio swap on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQAQPTbPCM), the raw audio was unbearable, I had to replace it with something. I really like the song I found and I think it fits very well. The tempo picks up as the pace does and adds some excitement.

On other videos like a race finish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQuHjbvzvFU) the other day, I thought it was important to leave the sound in. Other videos like this mid-ride segment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9-UMmUPfZ0), it doesn't really add anything and is fairly annoying.

That said, I have like a hundred subscribers and get dozens of hits on new videos, so I must be doing something right..."
I like umd's videos. By the way, his race finish video has 1,542 views WITHOUT music. Of course that's probably because the word "crash" is in the tags, but still, that's pretty impressive for a video that was uploaded on January 29 of this year.

Here's my footage of a crash in a cyclocross race I recorded as a spectator. The crash happens at 2:07. I didn't put the word "crash" anywhere in the video description or tags because I didn't want to p!ss off the guy who crashed if he happened to see the video and think I was trying to get view counts at his expense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu_QIzyIIM0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu_QIzyIIM0
Now do you think I should have covered up all the audio with music? I don't.

The song in the first video you posted is better than all the others I've heard so far.

Wow! I see you have a hard time relating my response to your post.
Okay, I get it now. You think I won't upload a climbing video because I'm afraid of getting a low view count due to my weight. I don't give a rat's ass about view count. I just don't want to bore people with slow climbing speed when all the videos I've seen so far show Strong Climbers.

Okay, I get it now. You think I won't upload a climbing video because I'm afraid of getting a low view count due to my weight.

nevermind

I'm probably going to get slammed for this, but here goes...

Why do so many people put music over the audio of their ride/race videos? When I watch a video I only want to hear what the rider heard or did during their ride. It really kills the experience for me to have to listen to someone else's taste in music for the entire video. If I wanted to hear music while watching a video I could always mute the audio and play one of my mp3 files instead.

Every time I see one of these ruined videos I have to play one of my own climbing videos to hear what a cycling video should sound like.

Does anyone else feel the same way, or am I the only one?You are absolutely correct about this. A few times (very few) I'll see a vid that has some thought put into the music, and it comes out great. But most of the time the music doesn't fit and just gets in the way, but I'm still glad that they took the time to post it.