Ipod's and MTB's: is it a good thing?

[Wrecker]

I ride with my iPod, keep my mind off of how far back I am

But, the ear phones that I have (when I can find them), sit outside of my ear a bit, so I usually don't have problems hearing the major sounds (tire spewing air, brakes, snake rattle--at least I've heard them all so far).

When I'm climbing, there is usually very little wind around me (cause I'm not that fast), so I can have the tunes on low. I also have the Oakleys, but need the iPod for longer rides--the Oakleys are just super easy to adjust.

Where can you get adjustable earphones? I'd like to check those out!

I have been told that I'm more irritating without tunes in my ears, as I'll make up tunes and crack them outloud (no, not sing, otherwise I'd have a different career)

[bobzrag]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

I have used my Ipod on some longer rides, but never on rides under 20miles when I'm with a group. I have a friend who rides with his all the time and he NEVER hears us. He took a wrong turn recently and did not hear us yell up to him. It sucked. If you do use an Ipod, that's cool...but remember u may need to hear others around you.

um, he's done it twice now - both at the same point!

agree with most - wear it when riding solo, but not always - I love having my tunes with me (I'm with JoeTool - tool, srv, nin, etc!!!) gets you going, especially for the climbs!

[Neccros]

I wanna try some of these.... they are ugly color wise but might work good...

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite...transid=500504

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by mechmann

"Somebody's got a case of the Mondays."

time to go to the pub, eh?.....if only the f&*king dealership would call back!!

[BAD_S197]

I have an IPOD but I don't wear it while riding. For me, it's a distraction and takes away from me hearing cars etc.. (on the street) and off road I would rather hear and enjoy the scenery or just the sheer quiet being out in the middle of nowhere provides.

I have plenty of time to listen to music on my way to work.

[Nagaredama]

I personally find it annoying when riders and hikers are wearing headphones.

Numerous times while riding I've almost been run over, almost run over, or can't pass someone because they are listening to headphones. I had a hiker get very upset at for me startling him. I was coming down and he was going up. Had he not been wearing his headphones perhaps he would have heard my bell and been less surprised by me. Same thing when descending, if you're slowing someone down it would be courteous to move over when the trail allows. I'm not sure how many times I can shake my bell, go off the trail slightly to create more noise, or whistle before I get annoyed.

It is illegal to operate a car or motorcycle while wearing headphones. If two trail users collide on a blind turn and one is wearing headphones who is fault?

[jcampbell]

I ride with an ipod when I ride by myself but mostly just have it in one ear. I bought the all in one strap and ear phone combination that hangs on your neck and hold the Nano. It works great.

I do find that as more and more people listen to music, we no longer talk and make fun of each other during the rides. You end up not being a mute. Kind of like going to the gym. Have you ever noticed how many people are sombies in the gym listening to music. Nobody even say's high anymore.

[BAD_S197]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

Have you ever noticed how many people are sombies in the gym listening to music. Nobody even say's high anymore.

very true.

When me and my gf goto the gym, we have a blast and talk the entire time and/or I try to make her laugh.

Most of the zombies are listening to ipods while watching the mute TV's mounted around the place.

[Shu]

I ALWAYS ride w/ my iPod....I have it in 1 ear and don't blast it..this way I can talk to my fellow riders...I can hear other riders coming up in front and behind...AND I get to hear good music...it's like adding a sound track to my ride....if an animal is going to attack I don'tknow how much extra time I will have saved to get away by not wearing one(JMO)...

[mp3]

I ride with my mp3 about 90% of the time....24 hours is a long time to race & 6+ hours is a long time to train.

[El Prieto]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

I have used my Ipod on some longer rides, but never on rides under 20miles when I'm with a group. I have a friend who rides with his all the time and he NEVER hears us. He took a wrong turn recently and did not hear us yell up to him. It sucked. If you do use an Ipod, that's cool...but remember u may need to hear others around you.

(I'm in a pissy mood ,not related to this, so sorry if this comes off wrong)

Dude, when?

[JustBike]

I don't listen when riding but that portable speaker systems seems pretty cool. Nice find!

[DownhillWebKook]

I ride with my Shuffle probably 95% of the time. When you're climbing on fire roads I think it's pretty much a non-issue, but I think descending is where being able to hear very well comes into play and you just have to be smart about it.

In general, I think you have to be able to hear on 2-way trails. San Juan is a great example of where being able to hear is crucial to not getting into a smash-up (regardless of the going up or down). I find having the music on is also super distracting should my equipment be acting up. A lot of times you can hear stuff happening and then make adjustments to mitigate further problems (like shifting and stuff like that).

On trails that are typically 1-way, however, I tend to just bomb those and I like to have the tunes up at volume 10. It's rad to get into a groove and just rail stuff with your favorite music going on. It's kind of corny, but it's also very fun.

So far, I have not had any problems while listening to music during my rides. Perhaps it's just luck. On one hand I think some people make it an issue by simply being haters OR on the other by acting like brainless idiots.

Keep rockin'!

[nomad]

We Live America The Land Of Freedom . Freedom Requires Common Sense . I Pod & Mountain Biking Are One Of Those Situations . If Its Turned Up So High You Dont Relize Danger Your Affecting Other People