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?
05-06-19, 08:57 PM
#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.
05-07-19, 07:30 AM
#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 
05-07-19, 08:23 AM
#53
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
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.
05-07-19, 12:00 PM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Yes, mostly podcasts or the MLB app when the Giants are on. One ear pod only, of course.
05-07-19, 12:07 PM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
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.
05-08-19, 02:00 AM
#56
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
Phone on in jersey pocket. But I never hear it ring or feel it vibrate.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
05-08-19, 07:54 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 523
Bikes: Trek Domane, Surly Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times
in
68 Posts
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.
05-08-19, 12:46 PM
#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.
05-08-19, 01:07 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Anyone else?
05-08-19, 02:38 PM
#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.
05-08-19, 03:40 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
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.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Likes For bbbean:
05-08-19, 04:20 PM
#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?
05-08-19, 05:22 PM
#63
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
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.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
05-10-19, 06:28 AM
#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.
05-10-19, 07:00 AM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
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
05-11-19, 10:19 AM
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
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.
05-11-19, 10:56 AM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
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.
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
05-11-19, 03:30 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
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.
05-21-19, 09:21 PM
#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.
05-22-19, 01:24 AM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
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.
05-22-19, 08:17 AM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,794
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
204 Posts
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.
05-23-19, 10:43 PM
#72
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Sebastopol, CA, USA
Posts: 38
Bikes: 2019 Trek Madone SLR6; 2014 Specialized Langster
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
05-26-19, 03:12 AM
#75
velo-dilettante
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 3,114 Times
in
1,683 Posts
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.