The alarm clock beside my bed is probably 25 years old, and as such has only one simple alarm setting. Since my morning ride time varies by 25 minutes during the week, I just leave it set for the earlier time, around 5:50 a.m. On those days when I'm meeting the 6:40 group, I usually just take my time getting out of bed, but every now and then, as was the case this morning, I reach up, turn the alarm off, and promptly fall back asleep. Of course, my own internal clock somehow knows that I'm supposed to be on a bike by 6:30 regardless, which is when I awoke, again, this morning. I knew I'd miss the group, and it was garbage day today, besides. When there's only one garbage pickup a week, it is not to be missed, so I grabbed the bag out of the kitchen and headed downstairs, only to be confronted with a recently deceased rat lying conveniently next to the garbage can. Nice way to start the morning. Anyway, I had a nice moderate pace solo ride out on the levee, meeting the group around Williams Blvd. for the ride back. It was considerably warmer today, but I wasn't quite ready to dispense with the arm-warmers yet.
So I was thinking about the proposed USCF two-earphone ban this morning. I've never felt the need to listen to music while I'm traning, much less racing. I tried it a couple of times, in fact, but found it quite distracting. Anyway, aside from the obvious hearing and awareness issues at hand, I always wonder what people are listening to. Are there special tunes they use just for races? Time-trial music? Motivational recordings? What's the deal?
3 comments:
I am with you on the music while riding thing. I tried it about 3 times and found it distracting. That said, it is (for me) indispensable when I find myself obliged to ride an indoor trainer. The boredom would kill me otherwise. And I find some music quite motivating. I once put together a playlist that included a very eclectic list of tunes (from Psapp, David Byrne, Creedence Clearwater, The Raconteurs, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more) that I find quite motivating. And the last time I rode indoors, I listened to Queen. But listening outside? No way.
twenty minute lactate threshold intervals will bore you to death w/o music--and I usually have an interval playlist on the iPod. Classical is good for ling tempo rides.
joey d
I'm the same way, no music outside. Riding allows me to think without interruption and I've solved a lot of problems after a 3-hour cruise in the country. I think the sounds outside are interesting enough for me and I am much more aware of traffic around me. I can't do music indoors, however. The tunes change too much during a wind trainer session to keep me steady, so I watch TV....rent a movie and watch while I spin. I can actually do a workout without getting distracted by what I'm watching! I can keep up with a series like "24" by scheduling my workout during the show each week. I rarely miss an episode!
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