Cycling with headphones/ipods

[phil_hg_uk]

I can't understand it, myself. Part of the fun of cycling is being in the environment. Why you'd then play music through a pair of crappy headphones is beyond me. If I'm listening to music, I like to actually listen to it, not have it buzzing away on some tinny little headphones. And I prefer to hear what's coming up behind me (as well as looking over my shoulder).
But if it works for you, great.

I totally agree with you, everytime I see one of these threads I cant help thinking why not just enjoy the surroundings and if your not enjoying it maybe you shouldnt be doing it.

When I go for a ride I use it to get away from everything for a while, mull things over in my head and just enjoy and explore the area.

 

[SquareDaff]

I can't understand it, myself. Part of the fun of cycling is being in the environment.

+1 on this. Have had one blocked ear all week and have found cycling really difficult. You don't realise just how much you rely on your hearing until it's impaired for one reason or another. I've jumped out of my skin several times when vehicle have passed (even though not close) just because I haven't heard them until they're on top of me (not literally obviously )

 

[wiggydiggy]

I totally agree with you, everytime I see one of these threads I cant help thinking why not just enjoy the surroundings and if your not enjoying it maybe you shouldnt be doing it.

When I go for a ride I use it to get away from everything for a while, mull things over in my head and just enjoy and explore the area.

Agree too, when I'm not commuting I'm cycling for pleasure and I want to enjoy the sounds of the countryside whilst out and about.

 

[monkeypony]

I can't understand it, myself. Part of the fun of cycling is being in the environment.

I agree, but if I'm riding any more than about 3 hours on my own I just get bored alternating between 'natural environment' and music helps the time pass.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Music through the headphones? I hadn't thought of doing that. I was more concerned at missing play for today.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I agree, but if I'm riding any more than about 3 hours on my own I just get bored alternating between 'natural environment' and music helps the time pass.

Fair enough. I suppose I come at this from the point of view of someone who can quite happily put in a ten hour nightshift alone in the cab of a truck with no radio or music of any kind. I'm quite happy alone with my own thoughts. Which is probably how so many lorry drivers become serial killers.

 

[numbnuts]

+1 on this. Have had one blocked ear all week and have found cycling really difficult. You don't realise just how much you rely on your hearing until it's impaired for one reason or another. I've jumped out of my skin several times when vehicle have passed (even though not close) just because I haven't heard them until they're on top of me (not literally obviously )

I'm deaf in my right ear and the left one is not very good and the hearing aid is piss poor, so to make up my disablity I use my mirror a lot more than a car driver would, in this way I'm more aware on whats happing around me and don't have any difficulty and I don't have jump out of my skin moments

 

[Furkz]

dont for whatever you do cycle with sennheisers i tried it for a short blast at night on a private road where i knew there would be no other cars etc and their too good at noise cancelling, pt you in a bubble. awesome but keep them for the gym or when women are talking

 

[SquareDaff]

I suppose it's what you get used to. Not having the greatest of eyesight (without contacts anyway) then I've always been reliant on my hearing. Just didn't realise how much until this week and can't imagine why anyone would want to voluntarily "dull" a sense. Looking forward to next Tuesday already when, unless it clears itself with drops, it gets syringed and normal hearing services will be resumed.

I suppose that, like you, I'd use mirrors to compensate if I did have impaired hearing but wonder how may iPod users do this?!?!

 

[Fnaar]

I'd probably give it a go in the countryside, but not in town. But I can never get headphones to stay in... tried it while running, and they kept falling out, and I wouldn't want the 'earmuff' type. Anyway, I kinda like listening to the world instead of music while cycling. Dangerous in traffic, I'd say.

 

[tyred]

But would it be dangerous in traffic?

As a rural dweller, I rarely have to ride in traffic but when I do, there is so much noise from so many vehicles, I find it difficult to filter out what's relevant. In contrast, when I ride on quiet country roads like I usually do, cars are few and far between and I like to hear them approach. Perhaps it's just because I so rarely ride in a busy town that I haven't developed the selective hearing necessary for an urban environment.

 

[Xiorell]

I hate having earphones and such when I am out at all... walking, fishing, cycling... just pisses me off. I brought a really good sony MP3 a few years ago and I can count the number of times it's left the house with the fingers on one hand.

I personally don't think they should be used when cycling, I use my ears alot when I am out. To a lesser extent I don't think they are a great idea when jogging either, depending on where you jog.

 

[Jan Ullrich]

bad idea in my view

 

[gds58]

what about deaf cyclists

I imagine that most will have some form of hearing enhancement/aid which would no doubt assist them.

 

[Silver Fox]

Cycle with headphones if you don't mind being an organ donor.