listening to music whilst cycling???

[mog35]

One of the routes I like to do frequently is along the coast and doesn't involve much interaction with cars as it's mostly along promenades etc. I do sometimes listen to music on this route, especially when cycling along the sea wall. When on the roads I just have the left earphone in so I can hear any traffic coming up behind me. I quite like having music on if I'm going into a headwind - it drowns out the wind noise and helps me press on.

Earlier in the year I was listening to music a lot, which helped deal with the wind and the cold.

Now the weather's better I haven't done it for a while - I'm going for longer rides, most of which take me through winding country lanes, so I prefer to hear what's coming up behind me, or what's about to fly round the next blind bend towards me.

 

[Jezston]

Mog - question - do you really notice a difference being able to hear cars coming up behind you with one ear out?

May I ask what headphones/earbuds you use?

 

[quassleberry]

I always just have the left earpiece in when cycling (If I remember to wear the ipod) and it does make a difference to hearing the traffic, cutting the noise of the wind and generally making you pedal faster when a favourite is picked out.

When running both earpieces are a must unless you've taken a dog, then forget it. Equally it makes you run faster and I'm more focussed and not convincing myself I can't run any further.

 

[Downward]

I've been pulled by the police on the bike and wasn't wearing my headphones. I am sure if I had of been I would have got more than a ticking off so for that reason I wouldn't do it.

 

[4F]

Nice, not had this heated debate for a while and it seems to be bubbling away nicely .

I don't and would never contemplate doing so, and in my opinion anyone who does is an idiot

 

[mog35]

Mog - question - do you really notice a difference being able to hear cars coming up behind you with one ear out?

May I ask what headphones/earbuds you use?

I've got a pair of cheap £10 Panasonic earbud things - nothing fancy

If I only have the left earphone in, I can still hear what's going on around me so feel secure doing it

 

[danphoto]

a big no from me on this one, but each to their own.

When out on my bike i want as much sensory awareness as possible and to shut one out - IMO - just isn't safe.

What he said.

 

[Arch]

I've been pulled by the police on the bike and wasn't wearing my headphones. I am sure if I had of been I would have got more than a ticking off so for that reason I wouldn't do it.

Or, wear them, and don't do the thing they pulled you for. Earphones on a bike aren't illegal.

I wear them on long country rides, but don't feel the need for music on short urban trips, which are just utility.

 

[Bicycle]

We'll all end up doing what we end up doing.

I see plenty of people riding with music on - and most seem to be aware of what's going on. I don't do it, but I can't get very excited about it.

We've all seen gazillions of riders who seem blithely unaware - and would be so with or without headphones.

On winter commutes I wear one of those black, stretchy headbands under my helmet and over my ears. Its progress through the air produces the same sound as a car approaching me from behind.

For that reason it may seem dangerous to some riders, but on balance I'd rather have the sound of muffled tyre noise than ears I can snap off when I arrive.

I think the real question is: What music would get you to work faster?

The Chain?

A Hayden trumpet Concerto?

Some Wagner?

The Clash?

A little Nick Cave of course, but then that goes without saying....

Would it be the same music you play when driving?

I suspect I'd need separate DRIVING and a CYCLING selections on my MP3.....

 

[citybabe]

I wear over the ears headphones when I'm out on my bike with the volume down low so I can hear traffic coming up behind me

 

[frank9755]

A lot of people who wear helmets say that they cause wind noise which makes it harder for them to hear traffic coming. Maybe listening to music would actually be a good alternative to a helmet...?

 

[4F]

A lot of people who wear helmets say that they cause wind noise which makes it harder for them to hear traffic coming. Maybe listening to music would actually be a good alternative to a helmet...?

Nice, like your style Frank. Just need to get a link to jumping red lights and I think we will have the full monty

 

[E11a]

I don't listen to music when cycling. I also prefer to hear traffic.

 

[frank9755]

I also prefer to hear traffic.

I prefer quieter roads myself, but each to their own!

 

[pepecat]

No to headphones for me too....... Just as when I'm out walking the music blocks traffic noise, I imagine it also would when cycling, and I'd rather be able to hear what's going on - ambulance sirens and the like.

I think the comparison to listening to music in a car is slightly wrong - you don't have earphones in in a car, the music is part of the general ambience and you can still pick out other sounds as well as the music, whereas earphones block out all other noise.