Riding outside. The sights, sounds and smells. Mostly pleasant, but not always. Always different. I know we all love beautiful views and the flowers blooming – sight and smell. Sometimes we take for granted the simple views of the terrain that we ride (dirt, paved, trail). I know when I ride the dirt roads in my community – and stop to actually look – I am overcome with the understanding that people pay money to travel to places that are this beautiful. I ride those roads any day I want. Nice.
What about sounds? On a perfect day it is the birds. Or maybe if you are trying to go fast you like the sound of the wind in your ears. Rolling the same speed as the tailwind and it is silent – that is nice. Often, we hear things that are not as pleasant – vehicle noise, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and on especially bad days you think you can hear the flapping wings of the buzzards overhead waiting for you to fall over dead. Even worse, that annoying creak in your bike that you cannot locate. GRRRRRR.
Do you make your own sounds? Most of us will talk when with others, at least part of the time. I know some that talk to themselves, sing, hum or just sing ‘in your head’. It is common to have a song playing in my head during certain terrain.
Aside. I always hear the Doobie Brothers singing China Grove on a particular ride. I pass by an old home named China Grove and naturally the Doobie Brothers fill my ears – if only just imagined. As we rode by one day I told a visiting friend that the Doobie Brothers wrote that song there. He believed me and I think I might have lost his trust when I told him I was just kidding. I guess to a musician that was not funny. To set the record straight, they actually wrote that song on their tour bus. They passed the sign to China Grove in Texas. They had never been there; the sign inspired the song not the actual town. In case you were wondering.
Speaking of music, what about music? Some use headphones. Is that OK? I am not a fan. Why? For a number of reasons. First – let’s just talk about environment. In my house and studio – there is always music playing. Always. When I ride, I choose to listen to the environment. Same with hiking. I do not wear headphones and am often frustrated when I run across the person playing music for all to hear on the trail or at the campsite. A bit presumptuous to assume that everyone should hear what you want to hear. I digress. I ride and spend time in nature to get away from the ‘manmade world’ and listen to nature. I enjoy music, but at those moments prefer the music of nature.
What about safety? If I did not choose to hear nature around me, I would avoid music for safety reasons. Earbuds limit your hearing. I know, they make bone conducting headphones now. Better? They are still producing noise for you to process and that can impact other noise recognition. Or just distract you from listening to the other sounds. Noises like vehicles, dogs and a warning from a fellow cyclist.
I understand that many of you love wearing your headphones. On the road, I think it is dangerous. I know, you think it is low enough that you can hear. I have ridden with some of you, and I turn to speak to you and you do not even know I am speaking. When you realize it, it takes you a moment to turn it down and listen. That is not ideal in an emergency situation. For you or the person behind you.
I do not like riding with those that listen as they ride. Personal preference.
Another aside. Many moons ago I joined a group for a ride. Guy had headphones on. I asked him about it. He confessed (not sure why) that he wears them but never listens to anything. It just keeps people from speaking to him. Wow. I confess I have used that technique. Not on a bike, but definitely on a plane and in other places. Now, back to our story…
There is research that speaks of the impact of music on us. It calms us, hypes us up, brings back memories … and many more. Music is often used to keep a certain cadence. Think military marching, dance, or aerobics classes. It can also affect heart rate – for better or for worse.
Lots of fascinating things, but the research that sticks out to me as the most interesting found that most amateurs like to disassociate from what is occurring in their bodies. For example – using music, or thoughts, to distract you from feeling what is going on in your body. Dissociate what you are thinking from what you are doing, so you can endure what you are doing. On the contrary the research finds that most professionals associate. Meaning the professionals listen intently to their body and feel everything. They use that information to make decisions to improve, to know how to act and what energy they have and how to use it wisely. Quite interesting research.
Regardless. I think music on the bike is dangerous. I hear you … just one ear bud for me … bone conducting so I can hear … volume is low. Truth is that everyone can choose, and you are not required to agree with me.
Road noise of cars passing and traffic as well as wind noise can be fatiguing. It is part of the ride. On dirt roads that are less traveled – why do you want music? Yes, it can be noisy to travel on those gravel roads, but that is also part of the joy. The trail? Probably safer to listen to music but again – why? Nature is all around you…
You might often be alone but sometimes another person comes along and wants to pass. No response. I would like to pass but they are lost in their music and have no idea you are there. I am certain you have had this experience. They are startled. Startled is always bad. It might cause a person to jump/flinch/swerve and those motions can be dangerous. Sometimes they are mad ‘because they did not hear you’. Like it is your fault they have headphones on in a manner in which they cannot hear a bell or a voice. I have been there. They have scorned me as I pass them on the bike path for not telling them. But – I did tell you and thought you heard. Or at times when I know they did not – they are now mad because my normal voice/bell was not enough, so I got louder (and startled them) to get their attention. Hmmmmm. Set sights and shoot that messenger.
Anyway – sights, sounds and smells – it is how we interact with the world. Headphones alone will take up pages of comments. Tell me anyway. And – do you choose to Associate with where you are at the moment? Or do you choose to Disassociate with where you are at the moment? Tell me.
Why not both? Bone conduction headphones allow for you to add whatever soundtrack you want actually inside your head, but not in your ears (or anyone else’s) so you can still hear everything around you. You can certainly make them seem loud, but again no one hears it but you. It can be slightly distracting at high volumes, however on rides I typically have mine at about 50% or less and you can hold a conversation at normal levels with the music in the background. It’s like having background music playing in a store or restaurant, but you’re the dj. Latest acquisition/soundtrack: https://dropdeadhc.bandcamp.com/album/dropdead-2020
I will very rarely ride with 1 headphone in my right ear at low volume on a gravel/rural road ride. Very rarely. I never listen to music on MTB or town/commuter rides. I don’t like riding with other people wearing headphones because they can’t hear and talk really loudly.
As for other people on the trail not hearing my friendly greeting/bell, they can get bent if they get mad at me for startling them. 2 anectdotes:
1) Riding MTBs in Sedona many years ago. 3 old ladies taking up the whole Bell Rock Pathway and I was coming up behind them. I said hello. Nothing. I said it a few times louder. Nothing. One of my companions was ringing a bell. Nothing. Finally had to sneak up the left side and they startled. They got really mad at us for not using a bell. I explained that we said hello multiple times, rang a bell, etc. They were still mad and said something to the effect that we needed to be more courteous because people their age don’t always have the best hearing.
2) Monarch Crest Trail outside of Salida, CO. My friends and I are on dirtbikes. So many mtn bikers and hikers wearing earbuds and unable to hear us coming up behind them. Unable to hear courtesy revs. Startled when we have to show them a wheel, get mad. Had one guy, coming at us from the opposite direction wearing earbuds and staring at his phone. Didn’t hear us. Didn’t see us stopped on the trail. Got mad when he looked up 3 feet from us and startled. Spoke with a really cool through-hiker that said he gets frustrated trying to pass other hikers, even solo women, that can’t hear their surroundings due to headphones. Some peoples’ kids, man.
All of this made me coin the phrase:
“If you can’t hear my dirtbike because you are wearing headphones, I did not ruin your nature experience.”