NoWhammies

For me, riding is all about getting away. Away from the pestering sound of text messages, email, news, media, etc. Just getting out on the road and leaving all that stress behind. Me. My bike. The road. Riding is the only part of my day where I'm not being bothered by some sort of cellphone technology. I feel good leaving all that behind.

On my ride today, I kept seeing people pulled over at the side of the road or at stop lights on their phones. I know cellphones are designed to be addictive (see here, or here for a couple of examples) but am I too crusty to expect people to leave their tech behind for a ride?

What about you folks? Are you able to resist the urge of reading the most recent tweet from Hugh Jackman while on your ride?

KraneXL

I made a resolve in the beginning to never let myself become addicted the my phone. I turn mine off whenever I exercise (gym, cycling, etc.). In fact, I keep mine off most of the time unless I'm making or expecting an important phone call. When the zombie apocalypse hits I won't be one of the masses.

MattTheHat 

If I get a call that’s important enough, I’ll pull off the road and take it or call right back. Texting is the same. If I get a text that needs to be responded to, I’ll pull over and handle it. Otherwise the phone stays in my pocket if I’m riding with tunes, or in the saddle bag if I’m not.

-Matt

Machka 

I look at Strava or Maps on my phone when I'm riding.

Pretty much no one calls or texts ... not outside business hours anyway.

Pirkaus

I ride my bike to get away for the rat race, why would I bring it with me.
My phone sits in a jersey pocket, just in case of emergency.
I also like fluffy clouds.

GadgetGirlIL

Phone is with me for safety purposes. It is tucked in my waist pack so I rarely know if someone tries to call as it is usually in silent mode. I will text my husband at controls on bike rides so he knows I’m still alive. But those are minimal texts, e.g. “mile 33 Freeport “

silverado8405

Phone is for emergencies, I’ve gone so far as to turn off call/text/whatever notifications on the Garmin so I’m not bothered by it. So far I’ve had to use my phone a few times, once when I crashed to call the wife and other times are when we’ve gotten lost/road was closed to get back on route.

Sy Reene

I'll ride with the phone, and turned on. No, I can't imagine trying to use it though while riding. I typically will stop on the side of the road somewhere convenient if I need to respond to a text or whatnot. Also use the phone to run the RoadID app, which gives the family a link to find out where I am (and this in turn cuts down on the texts, so a win-win).

Finally, once in a while the phone is nice to have if coming across anything scenic I might want a photo of.

WhyFi

If you're looking for honest responses, your poll options should be a little more nuanced and a lot less asinine.

On solo rides, my phone is paired with my Wahoo - with a quick glance, I can screen my incoming calls/texts and decide whether or not they need to be addressed. The vast majority of the time, they can wait until I'm done or until I hit a long red light. On most rides, I don't stop other than for traffic controls. On some 'smell the roses' rides, though, I'll pause to take a pic or two and post them to IG/FB/Whatever. I don't otherwise surf or check social media on rides.

On group rides, I'll sometimes pull my phone out to check when I get audible notifications (the chat app that we use isn't compatible with notifications through the Wahoo), particularly if we have laggards that may be split off and/or meeting us someplace mid-ride.

Riveting

I receive every text simultaneously on the phone (in the back pocket), the smartwatch (on the wrist), and the Garmin (on the bars). Staying connected helps my SO feel comfortable with me riding solo, though there's no pre-set schedule, nor obligation, for intercourse.

noodle soup

+1

I can't remember the last time I stopped to answer a call, or return a text.

2cam16

Phone is always on but I don't go out of my way if I hear an alert. I check when I take a break. I too use it for riding apps. It's always in one of my jersey pockets.
How I use it while riding is how I use it when driving, I NEVER get distracted unlike those fools out there.

on the path

I bring my phone just to have as an emergency communication device. Occasionally I'll check a message or snap a photo, but otherwise it remains in my jersey pocket, and typically for hours on end and/or for the entire duration of my ride.

deepakvrao

Only if It's a call or message from my hospital, and now Wahoo does not show caller id with Android 9, or at least the Android 9 on my Samsung. Duh. Waiting to get the 530.

Oh, and for pics all the time when I am on cycling vacations.

Seattle Forrest

You might occasionally see my checking the map on mine. And I use it for pictures.

I leave mine on and watch buzzes me when I get a text. I can read it on my wrist and decide what to do. They're almost never urgent, but it's usually good to know.

Seattle Forrest

Yesterday my friend took my car to a race, I rode from the hotel to get it and meet her. I got there early, and decided to burn some time riding over a pass. I stopped mid ride and texted her that if I'm late it won't be by much she if she wanted to grab the car and find me, go E on 20.

There's no shame.

noodle soup

I never said there was any shame.

I'd stop to answer a call or text, if it was important. When I go for a ride, the only stops are for traffic or refilling water bottles.

wipekitty

My phone is on silent, not linked to other tech, and only gets used for the occasional map or photo. I'm not particularly important, and the people who seem to think they need me to do things urgently (work) will be just fine for a few hours (or even days). My phone does not have service on large portions of my rides, so there's that as well.

The only exceptions are if there are serious family things going on, though in those cases, I usually don't get a long ride anyhow. I'll also sometimes text my SO when I get back in service if there's been a mechanical or some serious delay so he knows I'm not dead.

Wilmingtech

Different Strokes for well....

I work from home (freelance contractor) and with some of the jobs I get, waiting 10, 30, 60 minutes to respond to certain people, messages and other things going on can be a deal killer.

Because I have my phone and can take it with me I can pretty much ride whenever I want. Morning... noon... early evening. Whatever works best.

Where I ride is underpopulated. On my regular 1 hour rides I might get passed by 10 cars on a busy day. I see more wildlife than cars or people.

So I do use my phone as my bike computer and maps when needed and see my texts, calls and emails while I am riding. If it is important enough to reply I usually slow down or stop to make the reply or call back.

When I am in the city working a job and riding, I'll pull off the road, out of the path of others to return a call, text or email. I do often pull out my phone to quickly glance at notifications if I am in the city at a red light and did not bring my bike mount for the phone.

Texting, talking, emailing while riding on a road or path with other people / cars present is certainly not smart.

-Sean

cycledogg

My phone is on, but I never use it to call or text. Unless I pull over to take a short rest, I "might" pull it out if I'm expecting a call or have a need to make one. Folks know when I'm on the bike, it's all about me and the bike. I zone out and concentrate on what I love doing, riding my bike and they know that. So far, I have never missed an important call. And if there ever is one, there's really not much I can do but cut the ride short and head home. When I'm finished, it's business as usual.

OldTryGuy

I have a dumb flip phone that is in a carrier zipped to the stem. Bluetooth is in ear and tucked under helmet strap. Wife has her ring and I will slow down and answer. Text comes thru I can retrieve phone and read/reply if road is empty and if not I pull over. Out on my 128 miler last Friday the phone rang at mile 115 and I answered, no traffic, then rode in circles for 5+ minutes talking to friend calling from Nova Scotia. Of course I was just slowly tooling along so no concentration needed.

woodcraft

Carry the phone in jersey pocket, but turned off.

EMFs, & all that.

When I'm working, I leave it in the truck, & check every couple of hours.

Clyde1820

I turn the thing off, if driving the car or riding the bike. I'll turn it back on when arriving at my destination, or at a suitable spot for a break on a long trip.

For myself, it's the only safe way to travel.

For others, it's the only safe and respectful thing for me to do ... as I don't trust my ability to divide my attention from the road. (Though, that's me, and I appreciate many will find it well within their own abilities.)

Never have been addicted to the things. Still don't do a "smart" phone.

Works for me.

mstateglfr 

I will text someone if needed while riding, but it's rare that I need to.
Same with calling someone- rare thst its needed, but if needed I will.

Riding a bike, for me, is secondary to keeping relationships in life. If there is a need in the real world, then it takes priority over riding a bike. That applies even if I'm on the bike at the time.

rubiksoval

I have a bike computer that shows me my text messages. I only pull the phone out if it's an urgent matter.