Published: May 14th, 2008 11:06 PM
Last Modified: May 14th, 2008 03:37 AM
The postage-stamp-sized, seaweed-green iPod Shuffle clipped to the inside of my jersey so easily I didn't even feel it. The earbuds slipped between my helmet strap snugly, allowing the music to play crisp and clear.
But still, I couldn't get comfortable.
Such was my experiment a couple of weeks ago after receiving the tiny music player as a gift and trying to use it as I've seen so other cyclists do.
I have always thought riding while plugged into your favorite Panic at the Disco or Los Lonely Boys song wasn't the greatest idea. But it was a belief held solely on principle because I had never tried it.
So, after receiving the tiny Shuffle, I decided not to judge this issue until I tried it myself. I stealthily snaked the headphones through my jersey and up my back to keep the cord out of the way (not to mention, I wasn't sure if this was breaking some municipal code and wanted to be on the down-low).
My conclusion? It's just not a great idea.
As it turns out, the Anchorage Municipal Code, which governs cycling conduct in the municipality, and the Alaska Administrative Code, which covers cyclists statewide, do not address this issue -- at least according to the most recent versions I could find, from 2005. It seems to remain a matter of choice.
There are, as I see it, several problems with riding while hooked to your tunes:
1. To properly hear the music over the buzz of headwinds, the volume has to be relatively high.
2. Earbuds that drop out unexpectedly are distracting; same goes for messing with volume, changing songs, etc.
3. To ride safely, you have to be able to hear traffic, people and animals.
To be honest, the music tainted an otherwise enjoyable Sunday ride. While wearing headphones on a little-traveled bike path or on a stationary trainer is a great way to complement a ride, the problem with wearing them on the roads is that I never relaxed. On my usual rides, I loosely monitor cadence and power and other training parameters, but with the headphones, I was too distracted to pay much attention to these things. I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure vehicles weren't coming and, in headwinds, kept turning my head to the side to better hear the tunes.
The Arctic Bicycle Club prohibits headphones during races; riders can be disqualified if caught wearing them. While I had never given it much thought, I now completely understand why that rule exists.
My iPod Shuffle is staying home from now on. It's simply awkward and distracting. Why add that to the mix when we already have wildlife and reckless, and often rude, drivers with whom to contend?
?• Play outdoor columnist Melissa DeVaughn can be reached at adn.com/contact/mdevaughn or call 257-4482.
To bud or not to bud?
Are you plugged in when you ride? What's on your playlist?
Are you afraid of riding plugged in? Annoyed by riders who are? Find this story on adn.com/play/recreation and comment there, or e-mail your thoughts to Melissa DeVaughn at mdevaughn@adn.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
© Copyright 2008, The Anchorage Daily News, a subsidiary of The McClatchy Company 
Contact Us | Newsroom Contacts | Communication Forms | Subscriptions | Advertising | Terms of Use
Daily News Jobs | RSS Feeds | ADN Store | Newspapers in Education | Privacy Agreement
