Ipods and bicycles. To mix or not to mix....

[Bateleur1]

If could have R100 everytime this poll pops up, yummy.

 

None the less, rather ironic this poll is up today as I got my new company cellphone.  From tommorow on I will be cycling with music and while racing.  I normally only have on earpiece in and I can still hear (even with both ear pieces) what is going on around me.  The helmet straps already generate noise around your ears so don't see the difference if you have music IN your ears.

[UnfitnessFreak]

Not that I'm a leet rider by any means, but I ride with an iPod on the road. But not at full volume. I find that, at speed, the wind noise drowns out the iPod anyway so there's no difference between having one in or not. And when going slowly you don't need or want it blaring out, so for the most part you can still hear stuff around you. Still got to be a little more alert though I'll give you that.

 

I don't ride in groups so that's not applicable. I wouldn't ride with an Ipod in a group though. That's already higher-grade.

 

Mostly only need it for the hills anyway.

 

[Cois]

I tried a training ride with one. Worked well for me, but the level of wind noise is astounding. I could hardly hear my music. But with that said I used it on a very low level. I could still hear my gears change at the back.

 

I think one should think about safety first of all and consider the fellow cyclist.

 

 

[Speed Devil]

I hate those things. They should be banned from all cycling events including training.

 

A person cannot hear what is going on around him/her and even when the volume is "down" a person can get so engrossed in the tune that they forget about their surroundings.

 

If a person causes an accident due to listening to his ipod instead of concentrating on whats going on around him I won't hesitate to take him out too. These idiots are a danger to themselves and all around them.

 

Just my personal opinion.

 

 

[Yang]

I don't use an iPod, the main reason being that I don't have one. I cannot see myself riding with music in my ears, and I would be very wary of anybody in the bunch using one and stay away from him.

 

 Cheers.

[Velouria]

Training yes, racing no.

[MintSauce]

I used to listen to music all the time, training and racing.

 

Stopped using them for races. Considering how far back I am in the field, the mood is generally quite relaxed and there's a lot of banter going round, which is rather fun.

 

Now only when I feel like it. I'll take it along on longer races since I'm so far back that it inevitably gets lonely towards the end.

 

If you're riding sensibly(ie not like an idiot) and pay attention to what happens around you, you don't necessarily need to hear other riders.

 

That being said, if I'm listening to music and I catch other riders or they catch me, I do remove one earpiece.

 

 

 

 

[Red Zone]

I think that the PPA has banned them. If someone wants to ride with them when training or riding alone, I have no problem.

 

But if someone rides near me in a bunch with an Ipod in and doesnt have full awareness of whats going on around them that is a problem. I also want to be able to swear at people and have them hear me.

[Johan Bornman]

I know that at recent MTB XC races the commissaire (sp?) commented that they are not allowed.

 

I would not use them at road races where bunch riding is tricky at best .... however at marathon MTB races I would suggest they are 'more' acceptable ....... 

 

BB, I agree with you except to say that I find them anti-social when the marathon race is a team race. I know of one Epic couple who just about moerred each other because of the one's Ipod and aloofness to being a team member. The iPod-free member eventually developed a method of riding ahead of the other one and delivering an olfactory message each time he wanted him to remove his earphones for a conversation.  I don't think they ever rode together again after that race.

 

 

[RenierSteffen]

Oakley O ROKR Rulles!

[NotSoBigBen]

I know that at recent MTB XC races the commissaire (sp?) commented that they are not allowed.

 

I would not use them at road races where bunch riding is tricky at best .... however at marathon MTB races I would suggest they are 'more' acceptable ....... 

 

BB' date=' I agree with you except to say that I find them anti-social when the marathon race is a team race. I know of one Epic couple who just about moerred each other because of the one's Ipod and aloofness to being a team member. The iPod-free member eventually developed a method of riding ahead of the other one and delivering an olfactory message each time he wanted him to remove his earphones for a conversation.  I don't think they ever rode together again after that race.

 

 

[/quote']

 

For sure! Generally I do take them with to those races (dirty double/SabieX)  but ride with just one earphone in. Myself and LBB/BBB know I always ride on the left where possible so just keep that one in.

 

You can't be chatting for that long (sensibly anyway) unless you're the PIEMAN!

[Mackem]

Training on my own - YES

 

Racing or training in a group - NO

 

so do you commute with them?

[SwissVan]

 

Definetly not for road races or any race where you need to interact with those around you.

 

Training with an i pod is great if you are riding alone, anti social otherwise imo. Use just 1 ear piece, usualy in the right ear so I can hear the car before it smacks into me...

 

One problem I found is that i get used to the i pod and long rides alone are more difficult without it, like when the battery goes dead after +/- 4 hrs..... just when you need it most.

 

Listening to good music is performance enhancing and from what I recall even road running rules dont allow them, all though that would probably be for safety reasons and  not the enhancing effect.

 

 

[Bateleur1]

A person cannot hear what is going on around him/her and even when the volume is "down" a person can get so engrossed in the tune that they forget about their surroundings.

 

Then the authorities should ban radios/audio devices from cars as well.