I'd like to listen to podcasts on my rides (what ideas have people come up with)
 

Now that I'm basically car-free, I wan't to enjoy listening to podcasts (like I did when I drove).
I know many people debate the safety issues regarding this. I wouldn't listen in heavy traffic situations. Mostly just on side streets.
California law says its illegal to use headphones. A speaker is a necessity.
What solutions have some of you come up with?
I thought about a bluetooth speakerphone coupled to my mobile phone. But that would make it difficult to pause and resume my podcasts when more attention is required.
Thanks

Music To Kill Yourself To... METAL INVASION.

Davey Gravy spins the greatest new Metal and Hard Rock. It's the best new music you're dying to hear, while on the bike.

My podcasts would have to be music orientated, just to keep the intensity of my ride high.

Download 'em onto an mp3 player, and use an external speaker; they are available at Wally World, or possibly Radio Shack.

Why not a one-sided bluetooth headset with your phone if you can't use a headset? Most have control buttons that can run a phone's MP3 player.

Personally, I use a Motorola S9 bluetooth headset, stereo but they're specifically designed not to block ambient sound. Legal here, don't know the details of California law.

I use a bluetooth headset with my cellphone for listening to podcasts. I really didn't want to be wired to my phone because I'm prone to catching those wires on things, putting me and the device at risk.

I went through 3 styles, returning them to the store, before settling on these ones which I'm pretty happy with:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-S7HD-...9033493&sr=8-3

I find them to be sturdy while not SUPER comfortable (they can pinch a bit if not adjusted just right) they they are more comfortable than the behind the head ones with the hard back instead of wire. I really liked the Jabra Halo stereo headset as well but the on/off mechanism was really breakable. Too bad too because they were thin enough to go under helmet and I could put the speakers over my temples so I could hear them and leave ears uncovered.

I find that I can hear well. This morning listening to a podcast I heard a soft 'thwap' and glanced back to see that the little wallet thingie I use (holds a couple cards, nothing more) had fallen out of my pocket onto the ground. If I could hear that I know I can hear anything in traffic.. but if I was concerned I'd just drop one earbud off my ear.

All the bluetooth STEREO headsets I've tried have controls on them. With the Motorola S7HD's that I'm wearing now I have a little switch to turn them on and a pause/play button on one side and a dial to forward/rewind, on the other side is a button that answers/hangs up phone calls and a dial that turns the volume up/down. After a few uses I can now pretty instinctively adjust volume and pause/play.

I have a vintage Bone Fone that I thought about hacking so that I could plug my Ipod into it but I have no knowledge about how to do it right. Plus it works and I don't want to ruin it.

I am currently using the headset from my cell phone, because I need the mic from it to use the voice memo feature of my Ipod.

As far as catching the wire, doesn't happen in my world. I always have worn t-shirts w/pockets. My Ipod lives in the shirt pocket, I made a audio port at the top right corner of the pocket on the t shirt. I put the earbud in my ear, drop the wire from the headset in to the neck of my T, reach under and feed the plug through the audio port, into the Ipod. I wind up with less than 6 inches total cord length exposed ~ nothing to catch on.

if you cant use earphones while riding, think about maybe rigging them to your helmet?

I forgot to mention I only use one earbud (on the right side). I can even get away with this set-up at work, at least I have for the last three weeks.

bicycle oriented podcasts
 

KBOO radio has some pretty unique podcasts in regards to all things bicycle. They range from living car free, to laws, tips, tricks etc. each episode last about an hour.

Some years ago, there was a device (can't call it headphones) that you wore around your neck and shoulders. It had a small speaker at each end and worked through bone conduction. With nothing near your ears you were legal.