Tales from today's commute....
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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I drive as little as possible nowadays.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
While I normally have the radio (or CD) on when I'm driving alone, I cannot imagine ever wanting to be playing music while cycling. I could if I wanted, I always have my phone with me, and if I kept my hearing aids in I could play through them using bluetooth - I don't usually keep them in for cycling, as they go crackly if I sweat too much.
To confirm we're still talking about breakfast...?
Here's a not very cryptic clue:
Tbh I think we've been spoilt - it does seem like we've had a lifetime of hot, dry weather that we've all forgotten what it's like to suffer in the cold / wet.
I've just looked at some ride photos from February and it seems like a desolate, alien landscape in comparison to the current lush green-ness of everything.
Every year the prospect of having to endure another bleak winter seems to get harder to deal with...
Sometimes it's nice; sometimes it's not. I haven't for months since my headphones died but I do miss it on occasion.
As music does it can work to "enhance" a situation. One of the biggest rushes I've experienced was thanks to an old skool hardcore drop while going full gas on the gravel bike on deserted Covid roads - causing waves of euphoria to wash over me
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
I rode along a quiet country lane with passing spaces and as she rounded a bend in front of me, an oncoming driver seems to be rather fond of being on my side of the road rather than getting over!
It became clear that she was using a handheld mobile phone for a lovely natter.
After about twice the usual reaction time she did get back over to the left, and I got some good footage of the handheld phone to send in. She nearly had me a couple of weeks ago on the same road in the opposite direction, coming round a bend & not keeping left enough, phone in hand again, so I was pleased to be able to send this one in.
And we wonder why country lanes are statistically more hazardous?!
It became clear that she was using a handheld mobile phone for a lovely natter.
After about twice the usual reaction time she did get back over to the left, and I got some good footage of the handheld phone to send in. She nearly had me a couple of weeks ago on the same road in the opposite direction, coming round a bend & not keeping left enough, phone in hand again, so I was pleased to be able to send this one in.
And we wonder why country lanes are statistically more hazardous?!
I have some cheapo blue tooth open earphones, and play the music at quite a low volume, so that I still hear the ambient sound.
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
I have some cheap Lenovo bone-conducting jobs which help me hear stuff around me whilst enjoying a podcast or playlist.
Andy in Germany
Legendary Member
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
I understand that, but I do ride for several hours a week and I find sometimes having some music or a podcast is a pleasant way to use these hours to learn something, or just bring some variety to a ride when I'm following the same route for the umpteenth time.
On the other hand, I've noticed the type of music affects the speed I (try to) ride, so I have to consciously dial it back when listening to heavier, louder tracks.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I understand some people like to listen to music while riding, and so long as they can do so without drowning out oter sounds, that is fine. I just find I have no interest in doing so personally.
Andy in Germany
Legendary Member
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Pardon?
I get that. I don't generally like listening to music, and honestly outside of towns and trains I often unplug to enjoy the surrounding sounds, and also think through things I'm working on. I think having a longer commute made a difference because I wanted to use the time "productively" when I'm riding, and podcasts worked well for that, but a voice can be drowned by the wind, so I started listening to more music.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Still a drought down here and whilst the temperature has fallen, its still 26deg C. I working from home today though so I don't have to brave the conditions.
cloudy today, and not just because part of my county is on fire 
its weird you go on Google maps and theres literally a marker point of interest showing where the fire is 
though not the extent of it.
fortunately Im not being directly affected by it, though its a funny thing you are riding along and smell smoke and instantly think is this from that fire, or another fire, or something else entirely.
weirdly felt cold today, when its a mere 24C,I guess shows how warm its been lately and how we get used to it,and yet whilst yesterday was warmer, yesterdays commutes felt alot more comfortable, todays was cooler but had more humidty, consequently became alot more uncomfortable.
drivers mostly behaving themselves, but traffic is markedly down from normal, and theres still the occasional herbet
its weird you go on Google maps and theres literally a marker point of interest showing where the fire is though not the extent of it.fortunately Im not being directly affected by it, though its a funny thing you are riding along and smell smoke and instantly think is this from that fire, or another fire, or something else entirely.
weirdly felt cold today, when its a mere 24C,I guess shows how warm its been lately and how we get used to it,and yet whilst yesterday was warmer, yesterdays commutes felt alot more comfortable, todays was cooler but had more humidty, consequently became alot more uncomfortable.
drivers mostly behaving themselves, but traffic is markedly down from normal, and theres still the occasional herbet
