Now that January is here, my shortest outdoor rides will be 3 hours. I’ve done two of these this week and I’m finding it more challenging than I had imagined. It could be the cold, but it also might be because I haven’t really been doing much over 2 hours (tours excepted) for quite a while now.
And so today, while whistling tunes and trying to remember lyrics so I could sing to myself, I started wondering if I should maybe get myself something like this:
These things are called ‘Versafit’ and they are supposed to allow you to hear cars coming because they don’t dive into your ears.
I don’t think I’ve ever ridden with music or other chatter. I usually have plenty of things to think about and I get ideas when I’m pedaling (they often disappear as soon as they come though), but in a couple of months my long rides will be 5 or 6 hours. I’m not sure I know enough music to hum to myself for that long.
What do you all do for entertainment while riding?
The Vicious Cycle 
On my trip, I would listen to music occasionally, but I found I was exchanging one noise (the traffic) for another. My mp3 has over 350 songs of many genres. I still would listen, but only for about an hour per day.
I just checked your blog. That was quite the trip! When I crossed Australia I had no music at all and I somehow didn’t go nuts.
OTH….marginally inappropriate, but if she came with the earbuds…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I keep my eyes and ears peeled at all times
That’s wise, especially for someone who live on the Cote d’Azur!
Exactement
I conduct imaginary conversations with politicians and journalists where my persuasive arguments always win the day.
That does sound imaginary, if we’re talking about politicians.
Hi, i am using shokz. They work great. Music or podcast or nothing depends on my mood
Just check them out, thanks.
My best memories on the bike are Natures sound including my OWN!
I won’t ask for details on those sounds, Pierre!
One of the things I most enjoy about my time “on the road” is that deep focus and lack of external distraction. The only time I feel the need for additional distraction is long periods on the indoor trainer, as I’m currently in week 6 of a 16 week block of structured training, and Zone 2 rides for 2+ hours are made more tolerable with music, podcast, or video. Besides, I’ve never found a good solution for music that really works well once you get up to speed, unless your ears are “plugged” up.
My exception is the trainer, too, but in my case it’s nearly always old cycling races. Now that GCN+ is no longer, this will become more challenging.
Are you training for something in particular this year? I did notice the workouts on Strava.
Gravel Events, mostly the mid-length courses:
Belgian Waffle Ride Triple Crown: Arizona, Utah & California (March – April)
Steamboat Gravel (August) in Colorado
Rebeccas Private Idaho (September)
Trying to work a trip to Europe in there somewhere.
If you’re looking for entertaining workouts with great race and other distracting video footage, Wahoo SYSTM (formerly the SufferFest), is pretty solid. I used their structured training to get me in shape for the Cévennes trip last year.
IMHO- Stick with the Nature Sounds as suggested by Pierre. I agree with Dave too. Sufferfest still the best for indoor training.
It’s nearly unanimous then. I will save at least a hundred euros!