Newbies - what's your stance on headphones

[jimboalee]

This is the sound of a Double Decker bus – GRRRRRRRRRR, GRRRRRRRRRR.
This is the sound of an Audi – BRRRRRRRM, BRRRRRRRRRRRRM.
This is the sound of a Land Rover, CLATTER, CLATTER, CLATTER.

This is the sound of a Toyota Pruis , .

This is the sound of an uninsured Yob in an old Fiesta, SCREEEEEEEECH, "Get out of the road, F**kin' cyclist".

This is the sound you might hear if you wear a personal stereo while riding a bike,

"NEEEE, NARRR, NEEEE, NARRR, NEEEE, NARRR".

 

[4F]

This is the sound you might hear if you wear a personal stereo while riding a bike,

"NEEEE, NARRR, NEEEE, NARRR, NEEEE, NARRR".

Point of order. Nee Narr Nee Narr has been replaced many moons ago
by some kind of techno beat which sort of goes
bli---p p p p p, bli-----p p p p p, bli-----p p p p p

 

[jimboalee]

Quote:
Originally Posted by User3143
I sing to myself when I'm bored riding on the road.

"+1!
music is brilliant though; when you cycle 2 miles up a hill it's so much more motivating."

+1 on these.

I sing. I also dance on the pedals.

 

[fossyant]

Personally, I don't like the clutter, so don't use one other than if I am on a turbo...

 

[nilling]

I tried my commute with my old ipod for a week this summer before i gave up as it was just too much faffing about: was it charged up, what should I listen to, did I remember to switch the key lock on, the ear buds sliding out when i started to sweat (even sellotape didn't hold it in).

I always like singing in my head anyway it keeps the other voices quiet for a while

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I always like singing in my head anyway it keeps the other voices quiet for a while

.. I like it when they help out with the harmonies.

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

i rarely cycle without my pod, i do enjoy myself more with it, but i have to say that my new cycle computer is far more distracting, i have to remind myself not to be too fixated on it and look at the damn road.

 

[thomas]

As others have said I don't really think it's safe. I know the guy who runs my local bike shop had a salesman in trying to sell a MP3 built into a speaker system which attaches to your handlebars.

Though it sounded like a good idea, I think it cost about twice what an ipod and reasonable ipod dock would cost and apparently it was very bulky and unsightly. Unsuprisingly then the shop has started to stock them.

At the moment poundland have some little speakers. I'm sure they'll sound awful but I'm tempted to buy some as I've been told they don't need batteries or plugged into the mains. I'd mainly use them as a dirt cheap ipod style dock thing - but it could be possile to attach them to my rucksake and play music while I cycle to work. If I didn't play it that loudly it wouldn't be any more antisocial than people listening to music on trains or cars with their windows open.

 

[yenrod]

I ride chaingangs in the summer and had an 'off' and was wearing headphones/music and the group recconned(?) that I was well away with the music to notice the move in the group - it was plainly down to the fact that some people were jumpy as they were having a hard time keeping up and the pace was jerky and so i got a a touch and went down.

They where too proud to admit such.

I pointed that in a round about way to who it was who was mainly being 'nervy' - they got the msg.

Yes, you can get carried away by music etc..but to do this would be suicidal: I wouldn't ride them in the morning riding into work for example as the traffic is too! crazy - you need all your senses !!!!!!!!

 

[Randochap]

In my experience, it would take stacatto heavy metal to drown out the sound of traffic.

I bought an iPod earlier this year and have used it a few times on solo rides, but it's a bit anti-social to use it on group rides, eh?

The novelty has worn off and I don't seem to use it lately.

Maybe I need to download some Iron Maiden?

 

[goo_mason]

I listen to music all the time, but I draw the line at music when I'm on the bike.

I prefer to have all of my senses available when I'm on the road, so I've never had music when I'm cycling. If I want music, I'll hum to myself or often, I''ll suddenly catch the tune going through my head !

 

[john2702]

Headphones are a NO NO.

Your ears are just as essential as your eyes for keeping you alive!

 

[Candaules]

I'm wary of headphones, on me, or on other people. When I cycle along the canal towpath, some walkers are so lost in their music that they are unaware of anything else. Their startled reaction when they realise I am there is sometimes a a danger to both of us.
I like to hear everything that's going on around me, and be aware of all hazards, so no headphones. However, I can imagine that on a long ride, if there were not too many hazrds, they might help pass the. time

 

[Cubist]

Plus I hate to think where you actually put the ipod Candaules. It's fine if you've got pockets.............

 

[tyred]

I don't fancy wearing headphones while cycling tbh. I don't believe it's safe, seems a load of hassle and I don't believe it's good for your hearing. Years ago, before Ipods were even invented, I used to wear my walkman (kids, ask you parents what a cassette is!) everywhere. What I found was that if you have it up loud enough to drown out traffic noises while along a busy road, it is actually ridiculous volume level if you use the same volume level in a quiet place. I don't believe it can be good for your hearing. Also, it's all to easy to walk onto the road in front of a car or something as you are listening to the music rather than paying attention.