I have a small ipod mounted on my handlebars right next to my Garmin. I keep it filled with up tempo music, which I find very motivational - especially when the day's plan is a fast ride.

I ride alone, and 95% of the time on roads with huge bike lanes/shoulders and almost no intersections. During that time, I have 2 earbuds in. I keep the volume low enough that I can still hear what is going on around me. Even so, I keep to the right in case someone manages to close in and need to pass, and I keep my line and don't swerve around.

When I commute or ride through city streets with less space for bikes and more intersections / probable car/pedestrian encounters, then I forgo the music.

So far, so good.

NO! Live in the moment, experience all there in your surroundings and the ride itself. Use your ears to anchor your glasses and hear approaching traffic.

FYI Its illegal in California to wear headphones in both ears. Found that out today. I use a bluetooth one ear now.

"Headsets and Earplugs. VC 27400
No person operating any vehicle, including a bicycle shall wear any headset covering, or any earplugs in, both ears. There are exceptions for persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, special construction or maintenance equipment and refuse collection equipment, and for any person wearing personal hearing protectors designed to attenuate injurious noise levels and which do not inhibit the wearers' ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or horn form another motor vehicle, and for any person using a prosthetic device which aids the hard of hearing."

I don't know how you guys can do the one-earbud thing. Sound in just one ear drives me crazy.

Nope, only when on the trainer.

I do when out on the open road. Earbuds, even. :)

No.

I don't because there are a lot of riders on the trail and many faster than me and I like to hear when they are announcing that they are going to pass me.

Never!

I have sport headphones where I've cut the left earbud off, so I can hear traffic coming from behind and passing me. Only use it on long century rides, which I always do on well shouldered roads.

No, nay, never, no never!
I want to hear the truck that's gonna kill me:rolleyes:

Out of curiosity, how does hearing a car pass you improve your safety?

If you hear it's someone revving an 80's sports car with a jitter, BAIL OUT! It's some irresponsible person who thinks they're fast! (But obviously not mentally)

That engine tone with that gas foot style is quite easy to determine.

Nothing could be more stupid than riding a bike wearing headphones or ear buds. When riding a bicycle on a roadway with vehicles weighing tons and traveling at high speeds, you need the full use of all your senses and faculties. I can tell by the sound when a car is coming up behind me, I can also tell how quickly it is coming up, and which lane it is in, and whether the car is speeding up or slowing down.

When I am riding my bike, I am enjoying riding. When I want to enjoy music, I will do so at home.

I listen to music on pretty much every solo ride. I can still hear cars approaching, although certainly not as well as someone who isn't listening.

In all but rare circumstances, I take the line that I consider to be the safest, so if someone is going to get me from behind I can't imagine how I might distinguish them from someone who was simply going to pass.

Most of the roads I ride have a good bike lane and pretty consistent traffic. If I were riding in a big city or on country roads without bike lanes and where traffic was rare, I would likely behave differently.

That said, I enjoy the sanctimony in these threads. So please, keep it up.

i let my iphone play music through its' speaker. i have the iphone in an armband. its loud enough that i can hear it but not annoying to anyone else. plus i can hear all the traffic

Riding a bike while using a chainsaw, wait...riding a bike while getting involved in a land war in Asia, wait...riding a bike across the Pacific ocean, wait...riding a bike with loose skewers, wait...riding a bike with brakes that rub the tires, wait...riding a bike without tires, wait...riding a bike without wheels, wait...taking the lane on a bike without wheels...

used to, gave it up.

got old, not me, listening to music all the time.

Riding alone in the daytime, I normally listen to music. My ipod has fallen out of my morvelo jersey with a vertical zip i forget to use many times. I use earbuds and don't have it very loud, so that i can still hear traffic. The added bonus is not hearing drivers with anger issues that shout at me...

At night or if it's raining, no way.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/...psfubsjbhl.jpg
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/...psylmcag3h.jpg

Yes. Not with dangerous ear buds though.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=453205

ftfy

One in right ear on solo rides only. It's also not very loud. I also start to sing on occasion and get laughs from riders I pass.

Nope. never! Very stupid thing to do, IMHO. Besides, I'm much happier being more aware of my surroundings, and having my own thoughts.

Thoughts? Thoughts can only distract you from keeping your full faculties and spider-senses focused on the road.

If you want to enjoy thoughts, you should do it at home.

Wow, that's some super awesome hearing you have, being able to tell how fast a car is travelling 500 feet behind you just by listening.

What if the car is electric?