Dahon.Steve

You can download podcasts but I find it easy to just record music off the net into a digital recorder. Also, I don't think Sirius/XM is available on a podcast?

staehpj1

I'd only advise it if fishing is a major part of the reason for the trip. It is way too easy to load up on stuff that you won't use enough to justify the weight and bulk.

On some backpacking trips my fly rod can actually save weight in reduced food carried, but it has to be somewhere that the fishing is good and reliable. The JMT in the Sierras is like that. On bike trips unless you are away from stores for days on end there can be no weight saving since food is purchased daily. I figure that my upcoming Idaho MTB trip may be one where the fly rod can actually mean carrying enough less food to compensate for it's weight and probably then some.

pataspen

I've done over 24,000 miles touring solo, so having a radio helps keep me somewhat sane. I wouldn't want to use earphones for safety's sake, so I've always used an AM/FM transistor strapped to the handlebar bag attachment.

It always seems that Country Western stations come in the best. Why? I don't know. For the Alaska Highway I figured there would be some long distances between towns, so I brought an AM/FM/Shortwave radio that included an MP3 player. I was able to download about 250 songs for those times when I couldn't receive an FM signal. It was made by a company called Degen. Not a well-designed item, but it sure was nice to have my own songs downloaded when I couldn't pick up a station. It also was great to play at night to alert the bears that I was around. On my Mexico tour last summer I brought a little solar charger that powered the radio. Didn't have to buy AAA batteries once.

I've always found that listening to a baseball game on the radio is a great way to occupy the mind while riding. I one listened to an entire High School girl's softball game in Texas and I got really into it. I was devastated when the home team lost in extra innings. So I guess the radio doesn't always keep me sane.

xpetes

OK, so I've been trying to sort out a good music player to take on a future planned cross country (USA) bike tour. What I'm looking for is something small that will play both FM and MP3, has a built in speaker (yes, I agree, earbuds are a terrible idea while riding). There are many options - but the one thing I also want is something that will run on conventional AA or AAA alkaline batteries. Why? I'll be mostly camping and wont want to deal with having to find an A/C outlet to charge the thing, nor do I want to carry another charger. These Degen players look ideal, exept the descriptions all say they take Lithium batteries. Are they per chance Lithium AA or AAA batteries, that can be swapped out for conventional AA or AAA alkaline batteries, or does anyone else know a small MP3/FM radio that might fit the bill? I've searched and have not found one yet!

staehpj1

I just wanted to mention that I had a bit of a surprise when I bought a pair or Yurbuds. I find that I can still hear the ambient noises just fine with them. I have been trail running with them a good bit for the last few weeks and find I still hear the birds, the rustling leaves, and the mountain biker rolling up behind me. I really don't find it blocks out the ambient sounds much if at all. They were a huge improvement in that regard compared to other in ear earbuds I have used.

I am not especially encouraging or discouraging folks from listening to music, pod casts, or audio books while riding, but do suggest you try Yurbuds if you do and find your earbuds block out ambient noise too much.

I also find that they stay in the ear very well even when slippery with sweat.

veganbikes

The only issue with Yurbuds is wind noise while biking. I love mine and bike with them all the time and can hear everything but wind noise does kind of become annoying sometimes.

pataspen

Xpetes, I had a model from Degen that used regular AAA batteries. I believe it was the 1123 model, but I can't be sure. I'm on the road for a while, but can check when I get home next week. I'm not sure it's still produced.

Again, it wasn't well designed, but it did the job. It also burned through a bunch of batteries. But last summer I installed rechargeable batteries and it hooked it up to a little Solio solar charger. I went 2000 miles without having to buy new batteries once.

3speed

I definitely do not listen to music while touring. If I wanted to listen to a bunch of cluttered man made sounds, I'd just stay home with the TV on or hang out in a Starbucks. If I were to listen to music while on tour, it would be something simple with acoustic instruments, like classical or maybe some Celtic music or something. I listen to rock, metal, etc when I'm driving and doing dumb, clutter brained, American society things like driving and my brain is gonna be packed with 1,000 other sounds anyway, so I may as well make it something I prefer. When I'm on my bike, I like to be at peace, listening to real sounds from the real world around me. It's the same reason I don't tour on busy roads. What the hell's the point of either? I could just stay home with the radio on or drive my car around. And, you know, it's dangerous and could easily become a situation of being rude due to not knowing what's going on around you if you're riding where there's other traffic...

Caretaker

Never while cycling, maybe a bit in the evening when off the bike.

robow

If I'm touring with others, I rarely listen to my Ipods but if alone, I'll break up the possible monotony with two I carry, one for music and the other for audio books. I have a wide range of musical tastes but I still won't do rap, hip-hop, or country.

antokelly

this kinda stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDHvmCVRxU

robow

+1

antokelly

what a song and super band.

robow

Yes, but they were only successful in the 60's, 70's and 80's, not quite good enough for the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame, errr I mean Fame. Prog rock like Moodys, Yes, Jethro Tull just not quite up to the standards of a Linda Ronstadt, but then I digress.

antokelly

i suppose but to me there was only one band that set the standard led zeplin dont think ther ever made a bad album.i have a couple albums on my ipod listen to them a lot when cycling great stuff.
cant beat a bit of rock.

calgarc

been producing trance for 10 years now! I generally just blast music from my phone with no headphones... this allows me to concentrate on my surroundings

stevage

Podcasts for me. I have no concerns about earbuds on roads - my problem is always trying to hear the podcast over the traffic, not the other way around.

staehpj1

That is a reasonable choice if it suits you, but it isn't like listening to music some portion of the time automatically ruins the whole trip. You can enjoy the "sounds of the real world" most of the time and still listen to a little music here and there. I think this is especially true for multi-month or even multi-week tours where it is likely that you might be out long enough to really start to miss music and where there might be some mind numbing terrain at some point. I typically don't listen to music much when on tour and have not always taken any kind of player, but I have to say that by the time I get to Kansas or eastern Colorado on a coast to coast tour I am inclined to wish for an audio book, podcast, or some music. I have found that an audio book set in or about the countryside you are riding through can really enhance the trip. I found this especially true when riding across the great plains.

Juha

I often sing and hum to myself or out loud while riding. Sometimes it qualifies as music.

My main instrument is piano though. Not a lot of chances to play that even at camp sites, and if there's one available, playing it would quickly turn into a public concert of sorts. I've no need for that, touring is "my" time.

--J

calgarc

take one of these with you on tour

antokelly

brilliant where did you dig that up from.

calgarc

google... i do know some music shops and toy stores probably sell them

Wspsux

Phish?

pataspen

xpetes, I just got home and checked. Sure enough, the radio/MP3 player that uses regular batteries is a Degen 1123. I just checked eBay and there are a few on there for about 35 bucks.

DropBarFan

Trance music is awesome for cycling esp on latter parts of long rides--combines uptempo which sorta matches cadence but also relaxing to help get into the Zen mode & ignore aches. Digitally Imported has a great selection of various electronic stations but phones can only stream for a couple of hours before killing battery. Haven't tried using phone just to listen to pre-DL'd music though it seems as if that wouldn't be a big battery hit.