headphones while riding

One of my favorites from the "What's cool, what's not" thread in the Beginners section. FFT had an awesome post about IPods.
FFT
So the lycra thing didnt go over to well, but............I have to admit that while riding with an IPOD I was on a charge downhill and when I looked up I notice an elderly couple making their way up. The next couple of seconds were awsome:

Flat tyres notices couple: Oh, shvt!!
Flat tyres goes for both brakes: Oh shvt, misses both levers!!
Flat tyres goes over bars wilst reaching for levers: oh shvt!!
Flat tyres gets up off ground and appologises to couple:Oh shvt i'm sorry!!

Couple says to Flat tyres: Oh shvt are you OK???

Flat tyres says: Oh, shvt I am sooo sorry.

Couple says: What an a**hole, we saw you coming a mile away.

Moral of story: IPOD no good!!
Click to expand...

about sums it up.
 
I ride with an mp3 player (not into IPod thing) with both the earbuds in. Volume set at 2, so any bell, whistle, yell, twig snap, bitching girlfriend or even a dog bark can be heard.
 
So here's another suggestion for those into Ipods, like me, while riding ALONE!! I got one of these little jingle bells strapped around my seat tube originally to warn oncoming traffic or hikers or slow freeride-types but it also works quite well when you can't hear what's going on because you're blasting the new Lady GaGa😀

During today's ride I noticed people were pulled off to the side of the trail before I ever even saw them, they heard me coming!! A cordial nod and wave also goes a long way😉

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-Jim.
 
What's cool about the trails in NJ is that most of them are quiet and peaceful, almost like your own sanctuary. My buddy from Boston always says "you don't realize how nice it is in NJ until you hear the wind in the trees".
So, my thought is never ride with headphones on a single track. Keep them in your backpack until you get out into the open. Or blast the tunes when you get to the car.
 
I ride everything with music. My bike my snowboard and my woman....... Seriously though I have always rode with my ipod and I have to say that I don't think I could ride with out music. But I do have these pretty cool Skullcandy wrap around buds that kinda swing out if you want them to and unless I am ona group ride I have both buds in my ears but not so loud that I can't hear what is going on around me.. I am however one of those guys on the hill when I am snowboarding with the big headphones on that can't hear anything going on around me. I have been doing that for more then 14 years and I am never going to change that. Not to be a dick but there really is not anybody that is going to catch me on a snowboard and try to pass me. I got into the habit of snowboarding with music cause it calmed me down during contests and I would have the tracks from my favorite video parts on my play list so it was like being in the video and calmed the nerves before droppin in, and besides it keeps your ears warm.
Bottom line is to each his or her own but at least be curtious of the people around you and make sure you can hear somebody coming from behind screaming EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!
 
i've been riding my suburban assault bike (hardtail with slicks) with my ipod.

recently started riding the trails with the ipod and love it. Mainly for solo rides on weekdays when there aren't a lot of others using the trails. i keep the sound low to hear what's behind me. i make sure i can still hear other hikers and bikers tell me how many are behind them.

When riding with friends, i leave the ipod in the car.
 
I dont ride with music. I like the peaceful feeling just being on the trails. Although i have considered getting that ipod speaker thing that was posted on here a few weeks ago. Not sure i'd want to give up a water spot though...
 
drowning out your thoughts?

I have a stereo in my commuting cage,barely, i have the commercial free satellite radio on at work all day and streaming on the computer at night, i can stand to be away from music or talk radio for a couple hours. There are important sounds, that stick that just bounced off my spokes,you all know it's heading for the gears.The hiss of air on a pinch flat gives you just enough time to react to avoid a serious washout with the possibility of injury. On my motorcycle i like the sound of the motor and i don't necessarily want to watch the tach for shifts. Same goes for my vintage 928, never even turn the radio on in that. I hate things on/in my ears, i don't like the way it feels,it contributes to wax build up and i'm pretty sure it's not good for your hearing.Do you really need to cram music into every single moment of the day?
 
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