“On your left….” “ON YOUR LEFT…!” “HELLO?”
Just a snippet of a one-way conversation I had with a bicycle-riding couple on the Lake Washington bike trail a few weeks ago.
They were toodling along on their bikes, side-by-side, oblivious to the world around them. When we reached a hill and the guy rode a little bit ahead, I had a chance to pass. I looked over with a quizzical look, and saw earbuds sprouting from their auditory organs.
I've never liked riding with headphones. I tried it once in Kansas on my cross-country ride, and all I could think about was the 18-wheeler I imagined bearing down on me.
When I used to do a lot of indoor riding, I wouldn't start until the headphones were on. Allman Brothers. Rossini opera overtures. Anything to break the monotony. But outside I like to listen to the bike, the birds and the wind whistling past my ears. I also feel safer; I can hear that jacked up big-wheeled pickup truck way in back of me and confirm my suspicions with a quick glance in the mirror.
Well here comes Bicycling Magazine with an article on how to ride safely with earphones. In an interesting twist of logic, it states:
“We don't recommend cycling with earphones, but if you do decide to ride with music, consider this info.”
It quotes a safety expert who says, “While the sense of hearing can indicate that something is there, it cannot indicate that nothing is there.” OK, but I want to be able to hear if something is there.
The writer then reasons that motorists in enclosed cars or motorcyclists can drown out all the ambient noise with their stereos. Fine. Does that make it safe?
Riding a bicycle is all about being in tune with yourself and your surroundings. You don't need a soundtrack to do that. Take out the earphones for awhile and you'll hear your inner music.
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