MRT2

I wouldn't jog outside with headphones on for the same reason. Especially when you are just getting back to cycling and IMO, you should not be trying to distract yourself but rather, focus on what you are doing. It probably isn't a great idea to blast music while in a car, but at least in a car, you have a couple of thousand lbs of metal, seatbelts, and airbags should you lose control of your car. On a bicycle, you are completely exposed. You are a grown man, so in the end, it is up to you. In my neck of the woods, protected MUPs still cross roads at surprisingly regular intervals. One possible solution would be to mount a bluetooth speaker to your bike if you really can't unplug for an hour or two while riding your bike. Then you get the distraction of some tunes without having it literally in your ear.

mwalsh5757

I HAVE to watch TV when I'm using the treadmill and erg for the same reasons. Not negotiable. But I don't feel the need to strap a 20" LCD to my handlebars when I go out on the bike. Try it without the headphones...you might like it!

MRT2

Garilia

I personally don't get why joggers run with headphones on either. If someone can be a little more alert in their environment when personal safety is a huge factor, I'm not sure why anyone would want to dull their awareness. It's a moot point for me since i live in a state where it's illegal. When I am riding on trails and mtb trails, I like hearing nature, as well as bicyclists who are wishing to overtake me, or cross paths with me. I have hearing loss anyway due to listening to high decibel music with headphones for years. So I save the music for when I'm driving in my car.

bigbiker1

I understand where people are coming from on the headphone issue. There are certainly people that should not wear headphones while even just walking lol. Personally I have been a multi tasker my entire adult life. I have been a police/fire/rescue/911 dispatcher, Sheriff's Deputy, State Trooper and most recently worked in the financial industry. I am use to doing two or 20 things at once. I listened to music while handling trades worth a few thousand to close to a billion dollars. The music helps me to concentrate on what I am doing. Its hard to explain, but if I don't have some music or a book going to occupy that part of my mind then I would actually have much less attention to give to riding my bike, the other part of my mind would be racing and greatly distracting. I know it sounds odd and I am not explaining it very well. Its a big part of why I was diagnosed as OCD.

I rode on the local rail to trail this morning for the first time. Where I started is paved for the first mile and all uphill for the first 2 miles, then flat to slightly downhill the next two miles until you hit the next town. I got to the next town and turned back around. I was tired but doing pretty good, until I hit 6 miles. I again hit a brick wall, but luckily there was a brand new sheltered bench that happened to be right there. So I stopped and ate a glucose tab and a piece of beef jerky I brought with me. The last two miles is easy as its downhill, but the seat I bought to alleviate the pressure due to chafing unfortunately moves my riding position so too much of my weight is on my handle bars (it does however do very well in keeping any pressure off sensitive parts). My hands and forearms were numb at this point from having to hold up my weight for so long. Since I was downhill I was keeping a pace of about 16mph until a large branch was in the path, I swerved around it and still don't know how I didn't crash. I lost control and braked, and I was able to jump off and stay on my feet and keep my bike from falling. Thank goodness there were no trees on the side of the trail right there. I pulled the branch off the trail and finished up at a much slower 8mph lol. I got 8 miles in though, very happy with that. I know its not much but it seems like a long way for me.

I put my other saddle back on and I will not ride tomorrow, so hopefully Monday I will be healed enough that my normal seat won't be painful.

Garilia

8 miles is a really big accomplishment. You're pushing your limits, while dealing with pain and discomfort, and breaking in your new bike (or do they break us in?)
How long did that 8 mile ride take? I bet you're spending more time outside and exercising than you have in a long time. Good for you!

bigbiker1

Uhh, well actual time riding was about 40 minutes lol. With two rests thrown in, one at the half way and a longer one at the 6 mile mark, it took over an hour. Not breaking any records, that's for sure hehe.

Edit: I have had my bike for 5 days and have 23 miles on the odometer, and that's with just 4 days riding. Just a week ago that would have seemed an impossible task....

Astrozombie

They just need open headphones (most ppl probably don't know these exist ) I wouldn't do it nearly as often if i couldn't listen to music.

Garilia

You are breaking records...your own. You pushed past the 5 mile barrier. You did some hills. You were able to get past your initial bonk. This is great stuff. Personal best is what matters. You might find some days where you push your mileage and overall time on the bike, other days you spend less time, but increase your MPH. There will come a time when 8 miles will take under 35 minutes, or you'll do 10 miles in 40...it's all growth.

Dennis609

I am totally stealing that.

MRT2

As I said, you will make quick progress. Keep riding and in a month or two, 8 miles will seem like a warm up.

bigbiker1

This is what I ended up ordering. This should alleviate all the safety concerns. No hearing obstruction what so ever.

I appreciate the encouraging replies! It is 96 and very very humid today, glad I am resting today. The bad news is its going to be hot and humid all week. I am going to get up early and try to be on the trail by 7am.

NYSteve

"Those of us who are follicly challenged" made me laugh out loud at work. Now people are walking by to see what I am looking at.

bigbiker1

I got up early and hit the trail again this morning. It was actually very pleasant, overcast and about 75 with a breeze. Humid though and a storm was brewing. I went from the trail head in one town and then about 1/2 a mile past the next trail head before the sky started looking a little more serious. I turned around and headed back, not having to stop this time and I actually felt really good when I got back to the trail head where I started. I rode past but only got 1/4 mile before a big streak of lightning and thunder hit, so I went back to my jeep. 9.5miles total! I was feeling good but my legs just about gave out when I got off my bike, so it was probably good I didn't go too much farther. It also started pouring as soon as I got back on the road.

The last two miles are downhill and Saturday I did lot of coasting because I was so tired. I pedaled the whole way this time and averaged 19.4mph that last 2 miles, 12.7mph for the whole 9.5 miles. I have to say I am pretty happy with my progress and I am MUCH happier then when I was walking for exercise!

My insulated stainless water bottle, new open ear headphones and bike rack are supposed to arrive today. I hope the rack works well on my Jeep Compass. When I am done riding and exhausted its a real pain to get it into the back of the Jeep. It has to be held at exactly the right angle or it won't fit, that can be very frustrating when I am worn out.

Garilia

A new record for you! Excellent progress.

ChuckD6421 

Just wanted to jump in and give you a "well done, sir!" You're doing it exactly right. keep it fun, keep it light.
The only thing you need (to answer your initial question) is some "saddle sores", and I mean that in more the figurative sense. I'd forget the whole miles obsession, I've had the chance in a 'previous lifetime' to have trained and raced with Pro level riders and most of them seemed to be more concerned with time in the saddle than miles.
'Today we ride 2 hours fast', or '4 hours endurance pace', etc.
Personally I use a Garmin 500 and spend most of my time looking at my heartrate and my average speed. Chasing average speed is a great motivator. Time in the saddle will be a great confidence booster which, if I could be candid, it sounds like you could use some more of. It'll come though, with time.

One other bit of advice: I've been in cycling forums since before there was a World Wide Web (think: dumb terminals, a 1200 baud modem and a BBS's). There are two topics guaranteed to devolve into blaming the Nazis and that's to wear a helmet or not, and to wear headphones or not. Do what you want and keep it to yourself.

For the record I rode tens of thousands of miles without a helmet until 10 years ago or so when I changed my mind (no other reason) and now I don't go without.

I love listening to all kinds of music when riding, with sound isolating ear buds and have thousands of miles going back to the original SONY Walkman.
BUT!
I always have an awareness of what's happening behind me and if in doubt, always assume more than one car is overtaking and more likely a truck. Then look (learn how to take a quick look behind you and hold a straight line, one of the first things I taught my kids when they learned to ride).

Anyway, do what you want, be safe and don't preach. And keep it fun.

NYSteve

Great work!

You improved a lot in such a short time.

bigbiker1

Thanks for the encouragement!! Its much appreciated!

Moriarty

I've had the same problem with New Balance running shoes. I love the wide sizes because they fit my feet but the wide soles really suck for cycling. Get a pair of sneakers, preferably cycling ones for the strengthened sole. I've used the Chrome Kursk shoes and loved them. Currently, I use a pair of Five Ten cycling sneakers. They're pretty good. Nice and comfortable and the treads don't rub the cranks.