BadBurrito

So what are your thoughts on broadcasting tunes as your ride? or do you prefer to keep it to yourself (via earbuds)? or do you prefer no music at all?

On occasion, and it's happen more this year than in years prior, I've passed or been passed by someone with there music going for all to hear. It often sounds wierd, I think that has to do with varying distance as we pass. I suspect they hear it just fine. Not that I'm always liking their playlist, but it does have the benefit of alerting me that they are coming and it does add a bit of a festive mood to the MUP. So I'm not entirely against it.

For xmas, my wife gave me a radio/speaker combination thingy that mounts on the handlebars. IMHO, it is sort of big, and would take up quite a bit of handle bar real estate. I haven't mounted it yet, for that matter I haven't even opened the box yet. I haven't decide yet what to do with it.

Generally, I don't listen to music while I ride, I like the quiet, and when I'm in traffic, I want all my focus on what is happening around me. I have occasionally used ear buds with the ishuffle my son gave me a few years back, but for me it was sort of a pain to fuss with it, and once I worked up a sweat, the earbuds would fall out so I was fussing with those as I rode. I guess because I complained about the earbuds is why she thought this radio thingy was a good idea.

actually I'm not totally sure all that it's capable of, because it says something about bluetooth on the box - like I would use that - I'm a bit of a luddite.

obed7

I do not have any noise makers on my bikes other than the angry bee sound of my rear hub...

spdracr39

When I listen I keep it to myself and prefer everyone else to also.

Rick@OCRR

[QUOTE=BadBurrito;17695364 Actually I'm not totally sure all that it's capable of, because it says something about bluetooth on the box - like I would use that - I'm a bit of a luddite.[/QUOTE]

I must be a bit of a luddite too since my experience seems to parallel yours. One guy I ride with has some "out loud", as you say, music, mostly classic rock, Creedence, George Thorogood, etc. so that's kind of fun.

I did get a I-Pod as a present from my wife, and I've used it (rarely) on double centuries with a lot of desert miles (White Mountain comes to mind) . . . but usually not. More trouble than it's worth, but that's just me. Lots of other riders use them!

Rick / OCRR

DiabloScott

I play the loudspeaker on my cell phone while I'm riding to work on the MUP - lets people know I'm coming without having to constantly ring my bell.

Never listen to anything electronic when I'm riding the road.

fietsbob

In The Past I had Books On Tape running in my ear Pods , for a 12 Mile, Hour long Commute. Rural road no cross traffic.
At supper time Most people were on the couch and Off the road anyhow..

For others I Play the Music Myself . a Bit of Hard Currency in the Tip Jar is appreciated ..

Biker395 

I am almost ashamed to admit it, but I have an Ivation Bike Beakon. In one package, it has an FM radio, a bluetooth speaker, and a minimally effective headlight.

I occasionally use it on my commutes, and mostly to listen to podcasts. For the most part, I limit it's use to the bike path, where I am a long ways away from anyone else that might hear it, and I turn the volume just high enough to hear it.

I don't use earbuds when I ride. I don't want to open up a can of worms here, but IMHO, it's dangerous. The only exception to that rule for me is when I've had a dedicated van following me on endurance races.

Zinger

None.

I like hearing my surroundings, including traffic. What annoys me are people who can't hear me say anything because of music stuff in their ears......that includes riding partners. So if they miss the stop for a "safety meeting" so be it.

Bikey Mikey

I just play the music in my head.

IMHO, earbuds are no no for cycling.

MinnMan

+1

For those of you who do wear them, do you wear them in traffic on the roads? No? Just MUPS? IMHO, if you answer "no" to the latter because you think it wouldn't be safe, you should also think twice about it for MUPS.

OldsCOOL

I ride alone. Yeaaaah all by myself.

Earbuds.


ETA: on the open road and path I wear them.

Retro Grouch 

+1. And I HATE the people who blast their music for the rest of us to have to hear.

BlazingPedals

If I want to listen to music, I can stay at home and do that.

JanMM

If I want to listen to music while I ride.......................I'll wait for a Harley with a radio cranked up to pass by.

TCR Rider

I plug in my earbuds crank up the music and rock out.....when I'm on the trainer. On the roads I need all my senses so I leave the i-pod at home.

Carbonfiberboy 

I hate to use the word, but I hate, hate, hate, hate people who either wear earbuds (bad for my safety) or ride with music I can hear (bad for my sanity).

Jimbosays

ALWAYS have audio playing while pedaling solo (especially on rural roads.)

NEVER use audio when pedaling with others.

I have a Amazon.com: Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle Enhanced Edition Ultra Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker attached to the handlebars with a couple strips of Velcro and it works like a charm.

Like many, I disdain the use of ear buds by most anyone participating in a public activity.

BluesDawg

This.

dbg

I think it's best to keep it to yourself. I once looked into a transmitter /receiver pair that others could use to hear my playlist without blasting it openly. Abandoned that. I do use headphones when doing workouts but I use the foam style that sits over the ear --so I still get ambient road sounds. And I always use a mirror.

choteau

I like the quiet when riding, for my sanity + SAFETY. Have encountered a number of riders with load muzak or earbuds, who acted shocked and swerved when I passed them.
Thinking about it tho, maybe they were shocked by an old guy, on a upright 3 speed, wearing a watermelon helmet, passing them!

bruce19

I will say what I always say when this topic comes up.....music w/earbuds is unsafe, IMO. And, I wouldn't think of subjecting others to my music w/speakers. Around here just sitting outside at a local cafe enjoying a beer and the view is often ruined by the young anal cavities and the music blaring from their cars. I absolutely hate it.

gabedad

I use a single ear stereo earbud on my right ear. Logging about 3000 miles a year on the road

Wilfred Laurier

Most of my riding is on gravel back roads and mtb trails. I sometimes use earbuds, sometimes I just enjoy the wind in my ears.

I associate bike-mounted speaker systems with upside down drop bars on old ten speeds. They go good with a pack of smokes under your t-shirt sleeve and tight black jeans.

practical

I don't mind if I hear someone's music while riding. I don't listen to music myself - too many voices in my head for that, and they all have different opinions. (just kidding)

JerrySTL

Please don't ruin my ride with your music. Even if we have similar tastes in music, I don't want to hear it while riding.

Please don't ruin my ride with your earphones/earbuds. I don't need you crashing into me because you couldn't hear my "on your left". I also don't want to be a witness to a bike/car accident.