View Poll Results: Do you pull out your phone to respond to text messages or read facebook when riding?
Yes, I can't live without my technology.
6
5.94%
No, I enjoy the calm of the road and being on my bike.
73
72.28%
I like fluffy clouds
22
21.78%
Voters: 101. You may not vote on this poll
Do you keep your phone on and surf / respond to texts when riding?
#51
Farmer tan
It's in the pocket and almost never used.
Contacts know I won't respond to texts on a ride, so call if it's urgent.
I use Tasker to send robocalls to vm, which isn't even set up to record a message, so they never call again.
Maybe 1 ride in 30 is interrupted by an urgent call.
Contacts know I won't respond to texts on a ride, so call if it's urgent.
I use Tasker to send robocalls to vm, which isn't even set up to record a message, so they never call again.
Maybe 1 ride in 30 is interrupted by an urgent call.
#52
Junior Member
I ride with my phone. The primary purpose is to be able to communicate in case of an emergency (either with me of family). The phone stays in my jersey pocket and does not get picked up during the ride, and I only check it when I reach my scheduled "top-up" stops during my ride. Family knows to call me twice in case they really need me (and I know it's family from the ringtone). I also do not ride with any earphones or BT headsets, and do not listen to entertainment (music/podcasts) on my ride. I see enough idiots (joggers/walkers/bikers) on those sections of the MUP that I have to intermittently get on (since some sections of my usual rides pass roads where bikes are not allowed) with earphones blasting and oblivious to the rest of the world. Wish that New York actually enforces the laws in the book (only one ear can have a headphone/earphone on MUPs) for everyone's safety, but that's for another day
#53
working on my sandal tan
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My cell phones tend to be older models, so to preserve the battery on longer rides I'll turn them off or put them in airplane mode, and check at stops.
#54
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Yes, mostly podcasts or the MLB app when the Giants are on. One ear pod only, of course.
#55
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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.
#56
well hello there
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Phone on in jersey pocket. But I never hear it ring or feel it vibrate.
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#57
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I carry my phone and keep it on. But, I'm a very low-volume user. No work calls or texts on my personal phone so no off-hours messages there. Pretty much the only people I ever call or text are my immediate family - wife and older kids - and very limited calling or texting there. So, on the rare occasion I get a text or call, I will answer as it might be something important ... like "Please pick up milk".
The primary reasons for bringing my phone along are 1) in case there is an emergency and 2) I download off-line Google Maps to my phone and occasionally will check my location if I'm uncertain where I am.
The primary reasons for bringing my phone along are 1) in case there is an emergency and 2) I download off-line Google Maps to my phone and occasionally will check my location if I'm uncertain where I am.
#58
Fredly Fredster
My phone is on in my jersey pocket, but I usually do not answer texts or calls until after the ride... because I can see who texts or calls with my Fitbit watch. I listen to the MapMyRide computer lady tell me my stats after each mile.
Last edited by DomaneS5; 05-08-19 at 12:53 PM.
#59
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Anyone else?
#60
Junior Member
Personally, I don't live a life that enables me to completely disconnect and be out of touch with the same frequency that I like to ride my bike. My phone is on and with me pretty much 24/7. It rings to the handsets in my house, my car radio, my bluetooth shower radio and syncs notices to my Garmin watch. When I'm out on the road bike its in my bike wallet in my jersey pocket. When I'm commuting or mountain biking its on a handlebar mount or top tube bag. I surely don't "surf" or Facebook with it while riding but I'll listen for it or check notifications and texts on my watch. If I need to pull over and make or answer a call/text I will. I also keep a bluetooth headset in my bento bag so I can also pop it on to answer a call real quick if I don't want to stop. I figure if I can safely talk to the guy next to me while riding I can talk to the invisible person in my (right) ear just the same.
#61
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I think it is important everyone accept my values and ride like I do.
But seriously, if I didn't have a cell and didn't bring it with me, I'd be stuck sitting at my desk indoors 80 hours a week. Bringing my cell and dealing with the occasional phone call / text / email is WAY better than not being able to ride.
But seriously, if I didn't have a cell and didn't bring it with me, I'd be stuck sitting at my desk indoors 80 hours a week. Bringing my cell and dealing with the occasional phone call / text / email is WAY better than not being able to ride.
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#62
Senior Member
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?
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?
#63
What happened?
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It doesn't work after half a block because it's a cordless handset, I know...accidentally carried it all the way to mom's a few years ago and it was useless 40 miles away.
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#64
Senior Member
I don't even bring my phone, which is probably just stupid.
But if/when I do, it won't be set up with my Elemnt Bolt to be notifying me of calls/texts/etc.
But if/when I do, it won't be set up with my Elemnt Bolt to be notifying me of calls/texts/etc.
#65
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I carry my phone with me. I'll use it to mark milestones, like starting & stopping. ppl usually leave me alone while I'm riding. on rare occasions, I'll take a pic & send it to Instagram but it's gotta be interesting to my few family followers. during winter & foul weather rides, it's either in a jacket pocket or a lens case & a pocket of my trunk bag. for fair weather rides it's in the feed bag
#66
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FWIW I do take my phone with me, for safety, when I ride. When I found out that Garmin allows you to upload photos to Garmin Connect, I started looking for spots to take photos when I'm at the halfway point of my ride. The sending and receiving functions though stay off.
#67
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I find it valuable to see messages coming in, without having to pull my phone out. I don't respond to them almost ever, but **** happens. A friend of mine had a minor heart attack, she's in her 30s and a runner, it was completely unexpected. I got a text about it and about needing some help. That's worth ending a ride immediately.
She's doing great.
She's doing great.
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#68
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I left house today with the intent of a 3-4 hour ride. As I set out, I had that sneaking feeling that I was forgetting something. Then I realized that it wasn't that I was forgetting something, it was that I was leaving something behind - all my burdens. At first, I mused that this feeling was despite having my phone on and connected to my cycling computer... then I realized that it was in large part *because* I had my phone on and connected to my cycling computer; I have obligations to my family and they don't go away when I roll off, so it's actually easier for me to fully enjoy the freedom of a ride when I know that I can be reached, if absolutely necessary, and to know that my wife can check up on my progress if she's concerned about my well-being. YMMV, obv.
#69
Junior Member
I bought one of those handlebar phone holders to use my phone for a bike computer/Strava but between the sun and me needing my reading glasses I never use it. Now I keep my phone in my seat bag and check messages and Twitter when I stop for coffee or lunch.
#70
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I got a text Thursday while I was riding, saying the road to the Cascade Pass trailhead was open. My weekend plans were delivered to me on a silver platter. I spent the rest of the ride planning Saturday's hike.
#71
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Like many others, I keep mine in my back pocket and can see messages though my Wahoo. I pretty much never respond to them, but it's nice to have the option in the rare (for me) event that it would be important enough to stop/change/pause my ride over. I'll check my phone at a coffee stop on longer rides.
But really, as long as one is being safe, there's no wrong way to handle this. Respond/ignore/take note but don't respond. It's all good. Do what works for you.
But really, as long as one is being safe, there's no wrong way to handle this. Respond/ignore/take note but don't respond. It's all good. Do what works for you.
#72
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I get text messages and missed calls on my Garmin 520. I can only read the first few words of the text, so my family knows that if it's important so say so up front. Otherwise, I ignore them during the ride and catch up afterwards.
#75
velo-dilettante
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will usually only hit the phone if i'm on a grub/grog break or on a longish (2+ mile climb) that i either can't or don't feel like attacking.
it's pretty easy to clear out your 356 e-mails inbox + other catchup when you're grinding along at 7-10 mph on a familiar climb.
it's pretty easy to clear out your 356 e-mails inbox + other catchup when you're grinding along at 7-10 mph on a familiar climb.