Flimflam

Hey there all,

I got more into longer distance cycling last year, and have been oozing with plans/ideas to increase my riding this year (prepping for a Tour Du Canada by 2010) - one thing that I've noticed whenever I've ridden with friends is that communication at times can be a real pain in the arse - especially if you're on a noisy road and the wind is blowing, lots of distracting traffic, etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has found/used any sort of hands-free or bike-friendly walkie-talkie system to keep in check with other riders - I'd like to be able to have the lead rider call stuff out en route rather than sometimes confusing hand signals (or not at all, depending on traffic/road circumstances).

Usually on the open road it's been fine, but when I've gone through larger towns/cities with lights/traffic, I've been separated and rather than stop and wait, it'd be nice just to check in and say "I'll be heading on X St but slower, holler when you've closed up" kind of thing. Even for some kind of conversation at points too.

I'm thinking a cellphone-type singular earbud/microphone would be best, ideally as hands-free as possible - I'd also consider a MP3 player on longer rides too, if the two can combine then that'd be perfect.

Thanks!

knobster

Yeah, I've used the Motorola 2-way radios with the ear bud/mic that you're talking about. Works fine. You can get them at just about any electronics store. I got mine from Best Buy. Think I spent like $85 on the entire set.

spokenword

my friends and I rely on hand signals and 'car back' calls for most everything. We also make a habit of yelling out "stopping! flat!" or "stopping! peeing!" or "stopping! I'll catch up!" to let people ahead know what's up.

also, for situations where folks will naturally break up (traffic lights and/or hills) we have a general agreement that everyone rides on and the leader just waits at a natural stoppage (ie. cleared city limits and traffic calms, top of a hill)

If you get severely separated, then that's what cellphones are for.

However, most of the streets that we ride on are fairly quiet, especially once you get out beyond major cities, so it's pretty easy to ride close enough together to have a conversation.