There have been two recent contrarian threads on the Road Form, “How can you ride with music” and “How can you ride without music.” So IMO, the arguments have been well-debated. I recently got an I-pod and have been voraciously seeking tunes with cycling in mind. My criteria are listed in this post (in reply to the first of those threads):
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
I use my cadence meter faithfully when I ride, but I only synch my cadence to the beat when going up hills if I want to raise my cadence. On stiff hills then, even a low cadence, say 50-60, can be beneficial.
I select my playlist not only by tempo but by the melody and harmony. So on the flats or downhills, the music is a pleasant accompaniment.
My main criterion to put a tune on my playlist is "Do I want to hear this while struggling up a hill (and do I want to hear it more than once, since it is on my playlist)?".
BTW, don't knock Lawrence Welk; he had good musicianship.
If you object to his tunes, IMO, Big Band standards (and Classic Rock) are great for cycling.
Personally, I feel that cycling tunes motivate me to get out onto the road more and have significantly improved my riding.
I am seeking suggestions for tunes to add to maintain the variety. Not to sound greedy, but I have about 250 already. Several threads have appeared on BF suggesting cycling tunes, but frankly I have never heard of about 90%. For example see the current thread,
"What's your favorite music to workout to?":
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=596503
As noted above, I like Big Band and Classic Rock, so I am posting here on the Fifty Plus Forum for suggestions.
I have already exchanged playlists with one subscriber on this Forum who has somewhat similar tastes, but mostly New Wave tunes. She did like three of my selections and picked them up.
What I propose is that if you are interested in exchanging playlists, just save your list, or selected tunes, as an Excel Spreadsheet, then copy and paste the Title and Artist columns on your Visitor Message window and post it. Finally, reply to this thread if you have done so to let us know. Alternatively, are there certain artists you like?
Mine is up and I was able to post my entire list of 250 in alphabetical order by Artist, divided into songs before and after 1950. Just click on my screen name and then View Public Profile. My Fifty Plus correspondent gave me the needle about some of my selections, so comments are welcome too. “Hit me with your best shot! / “Fire away!”