On my grinding, boring, local rides I very often listen to music with one bluetooth earbud, in my right ear only, run wireless from my phone. Where I ride I'm almost always riding on the shoulder of a road, with the earbud facing away from traffic. I wouldn't wear earbuds riding in a city. I don't listen to music on my rides outside of town.
I can certainly understand those who have decided that riding with earbuds or headphones is out of the question. Situational awareness is critical on the bike! I've seen road cyclists wearing double earbuds and figured they must be on their own personal highway to hell. On Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 8:18:12 PM UTC-4 jaredwilson wrote: > Usually always have a small JBL clip speaker attached to my basket playing > some tunes, helps let people know you're approaching and you can easily > hear what's going on around you. > > Wouldn't dare wear headphones/earbuds! > > jared in Berkeley, CA > > On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:26:31 PM UTC-7 [email protected] > wrote: > >> Another audio engineer here, checking in. I don't ride with music unless >> I'm taking a long (40+mi) ride on the W&OD trail near me, in which case >> I'll sometimes use bone conduction headphones. Normally also something >> passive like the Trojan Records compilations. >> >> Nick in Falls Church VA >> >> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2:14:50 PM UTC-4 Jay Lonner wrote: >> >>> I frequently ride with AirPods, usually listening to podcasts but >>> sometimes music. Transparency Mode allows excellent transmission of ambient >>> sounds. I dislike it when people broadcast their music in public spaces >>> with portable speakers. >>> >>> Jay Lonner >>> Bellingham, WA >>> >>> Sent from my Atari 400 >>> >>> On Oct 18, 2025, at 10:55 AM, Tim Burke <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> I ride with music pretty often but I stopped riding with headphones >>> after too many close calls. >>> >>> >>> >>> I use a jbl clip speaker. I’ll hook it to a basket on most bikes. Bikes >>> without baskets I clip it to my handlebar bag. >>> >>> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 12:30:44 PM UTC-4 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I nearly always have music on when riding, using wired earbuds, phone >>>> in pocket. Mind you, it's music that does not demand attention, often >>>> medieval organ pieces, or classical/ambient, slow moving, either way. >>>> Never 'songs', that's just my musical preference. I do the same when >>>> driving. Also, in both cases I keep the volume pretty low so I don't >>>> block the sounds of my environment. >>>> >>>> Here's something a little different.. Being a sound recordist by >>>> trade, I've been out on a few rides packing a portable stereo >>>> sound-capture >>>> rig in order to make pristine field recordings out in the wild. So will >>>> stop for a break and record a 10-15 minute chunk of my environment >>>> wherever >>>> I happen to be. then jump back on my bike and ride, listening to the new >>>> recording at a loud enough volume that it does block out the surrounding >>>> ambient sound while riding (would never do this with traffic! only on a >>>> trail). It's wild because the recording is similar to what I would hear >>>> if >>>> I took off my earbuds, and actual tire/surface riding sounds come trough >>>> and blend w the recording to make it seem like everything is real, even >>>> though only part of it is real. But the sound in the earbuds already >>>> happened and does not relate directly to my environment, like certain >>>> birds, insects, wind or a distant car on a road or airplane overhead, you >>>> think those things are there but they are not. It's amazing how >>>> disorienting this can be when the mind wanders, forgetting that I'm >>>> listening to a recording of my surroundings 20 min ago. A truly >>>> hallucinatory experience. Not something I do often but a really >>>> insightful experiment on auditory perception in general. I find it really >>>> interesting to play tricks like this on the brain. It's also a great >>>> attention/focus exercise. >>>> >>>> >>>> [image: mendota.jpg] >>>> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8:31:59 AM UTC-5 >>>> [email protected] wrote: >>>> >>>>> I have not ridden with music for decades, 3 to be exact. >>>>> >>>>> Newsflash, there are cars out there! I have always had a rearview >>>>> mirror, even as a licra lout. I was roundly ridiculed. However I always >>>>> here that car coming from behind before I see it. >>>>> As a bonus we could all use a little quite. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>>> on behalf of Johnny Alien <[email protected]> >>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, October 18, 2025 8:19 AM >>>>> *To:* RBW Owners Bunch <[email protected]> >>>>> *Subject:* Re: [RBW] Who rides with music? >>>>> >>>>> I have enough traffic that I don't like to cause any reduction in my >>>>> senses even if its minor. But I am an overly cautious fellow >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8:32:17 AM UTC-4 Brian Turner wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I don’t like using earbuds while I’m out in an urban or outdoor >>>>> environment… something about needing to hear the other ambience around >>>>> me, >>>>> I guess. >>>>> >>>>> My favorite portable speaker for the bike is the Bose Soundlink Micro. >>>>> It’s rugged, waterproof, small, and attaches to various points in various >>>>> ways. Plus, it sounds incredible because well, it’s Bose. >>>>> >>>>> Brian >>>>> Lexington KY >>>>> >>>>> On Oct 18, 2025, at 5:50 AM, Garth <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> One's ability to hear their surroundings with earbuds(not the oft >>>>> confused in-ear type) depends on the volume. In the past I've ridden >>>>> countless miles with an FM Walkman and it's wired earbuds. It's more like >>>>> background music, and I could hear my surrounding just fine. Where I live >>>>> now in the boonies the FM reception of a Walkman isn't very good so I >>>>> have >>>>> not listened to it in years. Plus radio content, save QED in Pittsbught, >>>>> is >>>>> poor. I never had any desire to listen to anything that required my >>>>> attention, like a mp3 player and surely not a smartpone. Those are way >>>>> more >>>>> distracting that the listening itself. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> A memorable time I listened to external audio was back in the 80s >>>>> while on a bike tour with a buddy, on our way to see a Rush(the band) >>>>> concert in LaCrosse, WI. He brought his big/bulky cassette >>>>> recorder/player >>>>> with it's built-in speaker, the 70's type that took D size batteries ! He >>>>> brought his brand new cassette from one BIlly Idol of "Hot in the City" >>>>> and >>>>> "White Wedding" fame. Imagine him holding the cassette player with it's >>>>> retractable handle on top of and while riding drop bars ....... oh the >>>>> wacky things we used to do. Hey the handle was made of steel, very stout >>>>> steel .... ahahahahaahah ! >>>>> >>>>> Nowadays I prefer the sounds of rural enviroment and the wind, and >>>>> laughing at all the wacky things that arise in thought -;) >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2:17:47 AM UTC-4 John Dewey wrote: >>>>> >>>>> When I’m not riding my guitar is nearby. >>>>> >>>>> Out on the road, I always have music playing in my head and sometimes >>>>> I wish I could turn it off. >>>>> >>>>> Jock >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM Ben Miller <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I also don't listen to music or podcasts whilst riding. I'd prefer to >>>>> also not hear other cyclists music. In the city I'm fairly ambivalent >>>>> about >>>>> it due to all the other noises. But in quieter settings and especially in >>>>> parks, trails, or wilderness I find loudspeakers particularly rude. Even >>>>> if >>>>> it's music that I regularly enjoy, I find the disruption jarring. But I >>>>> also definitely have an auditory sensitivity, so there is that. (And none >>>>> of this is to say I don't like music. I listen to it constantly at home >>>>> and >>>>> probably go to concerts 3-4 times a month..Last month was Nathaniel >>>>> Rateliff, Iron & Wine/Band of Horses, Destroyer, and Modest Mouse/Flaming >>>>> Lips) >>>>> On Friday, October 17, 2025 at 5:41:11 PM UTC-7 [email protected] >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I use a anker soundcore mini, it conveniently fits snug in a bottle >>>>> cage so I put in the seat tube mount. Plenty loud too. >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM David P <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I have a wireless bluetooth speaker (JBL Go2) that I put in the rear >>>>> pocket of my handlebar bag and play music stored on my iPhone. Allows me >>>>> to hear traffic while also enjoying tunes. I also wear a mirror attached >>>>> to my glasses. I feel naked without it. >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, October 17, 2025 at 5:01:05 PM UTC-7 Eric Daume wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I almost always ride with Bluetooth (wireless) headphones, playing >>>>> either a podcast or music. I ride a lot of trails but also some roads. I >>>>> don’t have an issue hearing cars coming up behind me. >>>>> >>>>> Eric >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, October 17, 2025, 'aeroperf' via RBW Owners Bunch < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Who rides with music? What set-up do you use? What safety >>>>> precautions do you take? >>>>> >>>>> My situation is relatively unique. I live on a paved rails-to-trails, >>>>> and go out 10km and back 10km a few times a week mostly for exercise, and >>>>> to prepare for annual bicycle touring trips. I love the sights and >>>>> smells, >>>>> and, yes, sounds of the ride. >>>>> But sometimes I just want to get into a cadence. And I know the right >>>>> music to get into that cadence. >>>>> And while I have iPods, both wired and Bluetooth, I have not ridden >>>>> with music. >>>>> >>>>> So…any tips? Do you still hear the cars coming with earbuds? Or fit >>>>> headphone speakers under your bike helmet? Do you use a wired iPod in >>>>> your >>>>> shirt back pocket, or Bluetooth from your phone? Safety? I have six >>>>> intersections to cross, some with signals and some without. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/a3580b0d-3adf-453b-9de7-9a7591ad50ddn%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/a3580b0d-3adf-453b-9de7-9a7591ad50ddn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6a716139-9e59-41b3-9c50-4f1adbcc7ae5n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6a716139-9e59-41b3-9c50-4f1adbcc7ae5n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/06995b67-115b-4789-8e6e-29d4b033dd18n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/06995b67-115b-4789-8e6e-29d4b033dd18n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/23965168-7f80-4baf-bd1d-cd5a6bf3c356n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/23965168-7f80-4baf-bd1d-cd5a6bf3c356n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/049b791e-102c-4dd8-bb92-d97893cb4e44n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/049b791e-102c-4dd8-bb92-d97893cb4e44n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> >>> To view this discussion visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/99e38eba-8e15-4f2c-b249-4eb6c0d97b71n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/99e38eba-8e15-4f2c-b249-4eb6c0d97b71n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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