Seattle Forrest

For sure, and you didn't imply it either. I said that in general because most of the replies so far sounded like ignoring your phone comes next after HTFU in Velomaniti's rules.

eja_ bottecchia

Same here. I get notifications on my Garmin and on my AppleWatch; answer only when absolutely necessary.

TimothyH

Sometimes yes, when I'm on call for work.

It pays well.


-Tim-

wipekitty

I'm honestly really surprised by the responses here. I ride with a few people who have an earpiece (just one ear) and take both work and personal calls while riding...and have observed a few just take short calls and talk on the actual phone. There's also the selfie-masters and the occasional person texting/e-mailing from the back of the paceline. Strangely, the age correlation is the opposite of what you'd expect: it's the old guys who are on the phones!

gregf83 

I can't hear my phone in my pocket but I do see texts and call notifications on my 520. I've used recently when a rider in our group crashed and needed help and when my Mom was in the hospital. Not necessary but useful.

AlmostTrick

I never get pestered or distracted by a cell phone because I don't have one, and never have. Only fluffy clouds for me!

WhyFi

Avatar checks out.

Jim from Boston

Same here though I don't use the phone to link to the family, but I do use it to pinpoint my location on the larger paper map I carry.

I'm usually on call, so I have to keep it on; and I take photos on the road. I keep the phone handy, either in an inside front pocket in my safety vest, or a holster I have improvised (link).

Rides4Beer

+1 for screening texts/calls on the Wahoo. I only stop to answer/reply if it's important or if I'm on call for work. Other than that I only take my phone out to take pictures of fluffy clouds.

Bob Ross

I'm conflicted about this whole issue.

I would love nothing more than to turn my phone off when I go out for a bike ride (...and not turn it on again until the following millennia. Y'know, just to check for messages.) Nothing I hate more than having my cycling reverie interrupted by a text or call.

The only reason I carry a phone at all is in case of emergencies. The problem is, that goes both ways: My wife is often out on a bike ride herself -- sometimes the same one I'm on, sometimes not -- and she needs to be able to reach me in case of emergencies. So I carry a phone, and I keep it on.

But I hate it.

DrIsotope

GPS funnels text notifications, but I have the phone on DnD, so no calls-- I cannot escape the scourge of the robocallers, so my phone invariably rings 3-4 times when I'm on a ride. That also means I have to check the phone at a stop light every once in awhile.

I have a wife who commutes, and two kids, each at different schools. Someone might need to get ahold of me. Shut the phone off for "me time?" Riding as a pursuit is selfish enough.

Using technology ≠ being addicted to technology. No one is being noble by shutting their phone off during a ride. Just means that they don't need it.

I have a family, I have friends, I have responsibilities, I have an online business, and sometimes I need to interact with any or all of those during the ride, whether I want to or not.

Abe_Froman

I'm having a hard time understanding what peoples definition of an 'important' or 'must respond to' call/text would be. I mean if you have a wife that is 8+ months pregnant, that would be reasonable. Or if you're a doctor on call. But then...wtf are you doing on a bike hours away from home/work. But for everything else....

My phone is on silent all the time. If I'm on a ride, I don't look at it, or hear it.

teejaywhy

It does seems that for many people, ignoring one's phone is apparently, not one of the choices that can be made. I'm not talking about business purposes, doctors on call, first responders etc. Just the need to give the instant like to that facebook post cannot be delayed with some folks.

canklecat

Phone goes in pocket. If there's a call or text I'll stop to answer. If I'm expecting a call I'll use a headset with one earplug and voice response. But I haven't needed that since last year when my mom was in hospice.

A friend runs a business on call 24/7, so he answers his phone during our rides. It might be better to use Bluetooth and hands free, but I'm not gonna lecture him.

I used a phone mount for a year or so but got tired of the clutter. I got a cheap wireless bike computer instead and put the phone away.

Seattle Forrest

I haven't seen anybody say they've ever stopped a ride to like a Facebook post.

Seattle Forrest

Well, my friend ran a marathon Saturday while I was riding. She'd had a minor heart attack a week before.

I go on lunch rides with a buddy. We're both time constrained because of work. Cell phones make it easy to coordinate, one day we planned to stay the ride at Gas Works but he got a flat, so we I rode to meet him while he fixed it. Making better use of limited time is important.

A different buddy liked to text me at random times about weekend plans. I don't respond to these while riding, but I read them on my Garmin, and I'll think about whether I want to join or not.

Not so sure about the wife being 8 months pregnant, I figure she's had 8 months to get used to it, right?

caloso

I keep my phone on silent/vibrate and in my jersey pocket during rides. If I'm expecting an important call or text I might check it at a stop light, but usually I don't even look at it until I get to the end of my ride.

indyfabz

+1 for day rides. If I am touring, I may check it during a rest break. Sometimes take photos and text them if there is a strong enough signal. That's assuming I am in a place that has service. I have been in "dark" territory for multiple days. When I know or think that's going to happen, I let the person who is responsible for calling for help if I don't keep in touch know. Keep the thing off except when I need it for an alarm clock. No sense is burning the battery.

mgopack42 

Phone stays in my back pocket unless:
1) My Garmin announces a text message of call that I know to be important (wife or boss) in which case I stop and decide if it can wait or needs immediate response.
2) Tunes stop, in which case I stop and figure out what happened, or I just ride without.
3) I will take it out while riding to take scenic pictures, with out stopping my ride.

To be fair, while I do rely on this device for a lot of my information (overload), a lot of my rides are in areas with low to no cell coverage, so I am not missing anything. To be even more fair, even when I get great cell coverage, most notifications are just crap, so there is nothing to miss!

kcblair

My phone is on, but I can see text msg on my Garmin , also caller ID shows on my Garmin. Will respond when I take a break, if I desire. KB

huffman 

No, my phone stays home no matter what the ride is.

Jim from Boston

Do you keep your phone on and surf / respond to texts when riding?

Does anyone keep their phone on for entertainment when riding?...music, podcasts, talk shows, language lessons...

Wileyrat

My phone is on perpetual do not disturb for all except my wife and daughter, and they're not going to bother me on a ride unless it's important.

I carry my phone while I ride for my gps program, sometimes music, and mostly in case I have an issue, oh, and to take the occasional picture.

Cyclist0108

Most of where I ride has no cell phone service, but when in range, iMessage texts come through on my Garmin. I only give out my info to family members and close friends, so there isn't much in the way of disruption. All my phone calls go to google voice, and the messages get transcribed and emailed to me, so I can read them and respond at my convenience. I am fortunate to have a job that doesn't involve using a phone.

MSchott

My phone is on 100% of the time and is used to connect to my Wahoo when on a ride. I also have the Strava app on when I ride. I rarely take calls or answer IM's when on a ride. But the phone was useful 2x last season to get an Uber when chains broke.