Listening choices on your bike
02-18-20, 01:08 AM
#51
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Listening choices on your bike
I usually ride early in the morning in the dark, so I will see a car coming. My music player is set on random, but when a song from Black Pistol Fire comes on the hammer goes down.
02-18-20, 07:09 AM
#52
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Part of this outrage is coming up and trying to pass the oblivious biker mindlessly on the path and not paying attention to surroundings. Yikes.
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02-18-20, 07:36 AM
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I do like music quite a bit, and currently have a small portable, for during breaks, & after the day’s ride. 😎
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02-18-20, 07:46 AM
#54
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I've been a musician for over 50 years (I'm 68), and have loved listening to music even longer...and I have listened a lot. I have over 4000 CDs..but when I ride my bike, I am SO happy to be alone with my thoughts. Not bored...15 or so years ago, when I got an ipod, I gave it a try on the bike. I found it annoying. And dangerous.
And even when I brougth along real headphones, and not lame apple ear buds, I wasn't happy with the sounds.
That experiment was very short.
So many people in our culture seem to need to be constantly stimulated. As I said: I like having the chance to be alone with my own thoughts. AND to llisten to the music inside my head (I'm a composer. I work on music I'm writing while on my bike).
I live in Boston, and some of the foolish things I see people on bikes doing with their devices....
And even when I brougth along real headphones, and not lame apple ear buds, I wasn't happy with the sounds.
That experiment was very short.
So many people in our culture seem to need to be constantly stimulated. As I said: I like having the chance to be alone with my own thoughts. AND to llisten to the music inside my head (I'm a composer. I work on music I'm writing while on my bike).
I live in Boston, and some of the foolish things I see people on bikes doing with their devices....
Being with ones own thoughts is clearly one, and the few times I've done longer trips and kept up online trip journals, I often jot down ideas and work on my written pieces in my head while riding. Nice to form some of my topics so when I did the evening writing, it was still fresh. Fun to look back on my journals and recall details, thoughts and feelings that were put down that day, that would have melted away if not done then.
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02-18-20, 08:09 AM
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interesting comments Mr katz, most of which are my views too.
Being with ones own thoughts is clearly one, and the few times I've done longer trips and kept up online trip journals, I often jot down ideas and work on my written pieces in my head while riding. Nice to form some of my topics so when I did the evening writing, it was still fresh. Fun to look back on my journals and recall details, thoughts and feelings that were put down that day, that would have melted away if not done then.
Being with ones own thoughts is clearly one, and the few times I've done longer trips and kept up online trip journals, I often jot down ideas and work on my written pieces in my head while riding. Nice to form some of my topics so when I did the evening writing, it was still fresh. Fun to look back on my journals and recall details, thoughts and feelings that were put down that day, that would have melted away if not done then.
02-18-20, 08:17 AM
#56
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Sorry, but I can't stay away from this thread. I think this is my third post.
In contrast to those who prefer to focus on their thoughts while pedaling, I find that riding in silence and listening to my own breath tires me out a lot faster than keeping a cadence to whatever music is on my speaker at a given moment. Also, I find that the memories of my longer rides come easier when I associate them with the songs that were playing while I was whizzing down a hill or basking in an ocean breeze.
That said, once again, my playlist spans popular music of the entire 20th Century, but being that I ride mostly in the warmer weather, I've got A LOT of Country music in there!
In contrast to those who prefer to focus on their thoughts while pedaling, I find that riding in silence and listening to my own breath tires me out a lot faster than keeping a cadence to whatever music is on my speaker at a given moment. Also, I find that the memories of my longer rides come easier when I associate them with the songs that were playing while I was whizzing down a hill or basking in an ocean breeze.
That said, once again, my playlist spans popular music of the entire 20th Century, but being that I ride mostly in the warmer weather, I've got A LOT of Country music in there!
02-18-20, 08:47 AM
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I don't like having my ears plugged while riding, either.
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
02-18-20, 09:28 AM
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I wasn't talking about music played by anyone I'm riding with (they would have to turn it off or I wouldn't be there), but just people I see on the street. Offering noise pollution to the world. Music is one of the most wonderful things there is. Music you don't want to hear is awful. Doesn't matter what the music is.
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02-18-20, 09:29 AM
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I don't like having my ears plugged while riding, either.
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
Why listen to music when it annoys the rest of the world, and when the sound quality is so deeply flawed. Learn to be with yourself.
02-18-20, 09:35 AM
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interesting comments Mr katz, most of which are my views too.
Being with ones own thoughts is clearly one, and the few times I've done longer trips and kept up online trip journals, I often jot down ideas and work on my written pieces in my head while riding. Nice to form some of my topics so when I did the evening writing, it was still fresh. Fun to look back on my journals and recall details, thoughts and feelings that were put down that day, that would have melted away if not done then.
Being with ones own thoughts is clearly one, and the few times I've done longer trips and kept up online trip journals, I often jot down ideas and work on my written pieces in my head while riding. Nice to form some of my topics so when I did the evening writing, it was still fresh. Fun to look back on my journals and recall details, thoughts and feelings that were put down that day, that would have melted away if not done then.
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02-18-20, 09:45 AM
#61
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The mental aspect of riding is just as important as the physical to me. Ruminating is important.
02-18-20, 10:46 AM
#62
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There are SO many options available these days. I have a small "cube" speaker by a manufacturer named BEM, but it's just one of many you can find at a reasonable price that will put out pleasant, quality sound. Mine is mounted to my handlebar with a variety of no-longer-used hardware for lighting, reflectors, etc. You just have to get creative. I understand why some people would be against music while riding, but I think that, if you use a speaker and keep it at a reasonable volume, you'll be able to maintain awareness of your surroundings just fine My personal policy is to mute the speaker with my hand or just turn off the volume when I am passing walkers, dog-walkers, or anybody who looks like they might not appreciate the music.
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02-18-20, 11:01 AM
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Anyway, it's rare that I'm riding anywhere someone could hear a little portable speaker. Plus I can catch up on my podcasts. I'm WAY behind since I've started commuting on the bike.
Last edited by TheLizard; 02-18-20 at 11:05 AM.
02-18-20, 01:51 PM
#64
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I like a bit of audio entertainment when I ride, I usually listen to the radio or music on long days in the saddle. Sometimes I’ll download an audiobook. I use one earphone and leave the other ear free so I can hear traffic easily. So what do you listen to?
Here is my play list.
1) If I can find a good NPR signal this is my default.
2) Podcasts of shows like "This American Life", "Radio Lab", "In Our Time". I download theses before I leave and when I have WIFI access on tour.
3) Current top of the music list, some fast stuff to get me pedaling, and some quiet stuff to calm me down.
Babymetal: Babymetal and Road of Resistance
Pink Floyd: Darkside of the Moon
Lou Reed: Rock n Roll Animal
John Luther Adams: Become Ocean
David Bowie: Changes
Roxy Music: Avalon.............
and many more.
Here is my play list.
1) If I can find a good NPR signal this is my default.
2) Podcasts of shows like "This American Life", "Radio Lab", "In Our Time". I download theses before I leave and when I have WIFI access on tour.
3) Current top of the music list, some fast stuff to get me pedaling, and some quiet stuff to calm me down.
Babymetal: Babymetal and Road of Resistance
Pink Floyd: Darkside of the Moon
Lou Reed: Rock n Roll Animal
John Luther Adams: Become Ocean
David Bowie: Changes
Roxy Music: Avalon.............
and many more.
that being said I ha be ridden with music playing through my phone mounted on my stem. Music choices, classic&progressive&hard rock. Heavy metal. Faster paced blues. Slower paced works good if I am on a straight stretch and am taking in the sights.
02-18-20, 06:10 PM
#65
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This was an unplanned purchase, lol, but I took a chance on it in a thrift store, for about $10. Turns out, this is a very nice receiver, and goes for hundreds on flea bay. 😁 This one’s not working with fresh batteries (yet), but I’ll play around with it a bit. Notice the separate knobs, for bass & treble, pretty high-end, for a portable. It’s missing the little nameplate on the front, but it’s a Sony ICF-5900W. 😎
02-18-20, 06:58 PM
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I went through a Pink Floyd period (again) last fall and had a couple weird incidents of synchronicity. (Not talking about The Police.) One time I was climbing while The Wall - Run Like Hell was on and the heavy breath sound in the song matched my own. Later in the same ride I was cruising through a neighborhood and listening to Animals - Dogs, and the barking sounds in the song matched barking dogs in back yards. It was freaky, but not surprising, since riders breathe hard and people have dogs.
Is that a ruler on the bottom? That would make it 21-22 cm.
Great thrift store find.
Is that a ruler on the bottom? That would make it 21-22 cm.
Great thrift store find.
02-18-20, 11:23 PM
#69
Senior Member
I don't like having my ears plugged while riding, either.
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
But I really like the speaker idea!
Many of the ones I'm seeing take up a water bottle cage, which is a non-starter for me. I go through sometimes 32 oz. of water on a one hour ride, and it's winter! But I could always add something to the handlebars, even if I have to get a handlebar extender to make it work.
Any recommendations?
https://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Soun...2089326&sr=8-3
mounted on
The speaker comes with a suction cup. I poked a hole through the phone screen, put it through from under, then mounted the speaker
One handed operation for volume, skip, pause, answer phone. Also works with voice directions from the GPS
02-18-20, 11:25 PM
#70
Senior Member
This was an unplanned purchase, lol, but I took a chance on it in a thrift store, for about $10. Turns out, this is a very nice receiver, and goes for hundreds on flea bay. 😁 This one’s not working with fresh batteries (yet), but I’ll play around with it a bit. Notice the separate knobs, for bass & treble, pretty high-end, for a portable. It’s missing the little nameplate on the front, but it’s a Sony ICF-5900W. 😎
Do they still exist?
02-19-20, 07:37 AM
#71
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I suspect this is pretty common.
not that I ever listened to sw radio in my life, but then i didn't grow up in east Germany or the Soviet Union.
02-19-20, 08:39 AM
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02-19-20, 12:58 PM
#73
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I don't listen to anything when riding. Not that I find anything wrong with it, as long as you can hear what is going on around you.
My wife and I ride together 99.99999% of the time, we don't talk a lot, but sometimes on a secluded road, we will have a little conversation.
I think we both use the bike to totally unwind, and clear our brains.
I'm a musician, and several years ago, I made a habit of not casually listening to music. I was always learning new tunes, practicing and rehearsing. So, when I was away from music, I generally enjoyed silence.
If I were to listen riding, I would probably listen to Amazon Music Unlimited. My son got us subscriptions. I have some good playlists that I could enjoy.
My wife and I ride together 99.99999% of the time, we don't talk a lot, but sometimes on a secluded road, we will have a little conversation.
I think we both use the bike to totally unwind, and clear our brains.
I'm a musician, and several years ago, I made a habit of not casually listening to music. I was always learning new tunes, practicing and rehearsing. So, when I was away from music, I generally enjoyed silence.
If I were to listen riding, I would probably listen to Amazon Music Unlimited. My son got us subscriptions. I have some good playlists that I could enjoy.
02-19-20, 01:08 PM
#74
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The human auditory system has evolved so that it can cope with multiple inputs. So an ear bud in one ear does not mean that you will miss other sounds. I still find a simple FM radio to be great when there is a strong enough signal and it will run on a single AAA battery for many days. This is what I use on the bike along with the iphone for podcasts and music. I could use the iphone for the radio too, but it eats up battery life.
https://www.universal-radio.com/cata...alty/2850.html
https://www.universal-radio.com/cata...alty/2850.html
02-19-20, 02:16 PM
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Several years ago I bought a couple high end small portable shortwave radios that were on a really good sale price. My thinking was that I could get the BBC when I was away from other stations or when I was in locations where I did not speak the language. Then I learned that they went on sale price immediately after BBC announced that they were discontinuing short wave. At least they also had AM and FM, I occasionally use one of them for FM.