Seen on the Trail — was that one of you?

[eminva]

I was riding home last night and was passed by a guy on the W&OD (between Shreve and Virginia Ave.). He was having a cell phone conversation on a hands free device while climbing out of the saddle! I only heard the briefest snippet of conversation, but he didn’t sound breathless as I would have.

In all seriousness, I was impressed. And in all seriousness, I also admire the dedication — working while on the bike commute home!

Liz

Topic

[pfunkallstar]

It wasn’t me. I was damn near having an embolism last night.

[dcv]

not me, what was he riding?

[americancyclo]

that make me wonder what hands free device has a microphone good enough to screen out wind noise!

[dcv]

@americancyclo 14235 wrote:

that make me wonder what hands free device has a microphone good enough to screen out wind noise!

that’s what i was thinking. i’ve gotten away with client conference calls on the links before, but never tried while riding.

[eminva]

@dcv 14234 wrote:

not me, what was he riding?

I didn’t catch make and model. It was one of the dark stretches along there. It looked like a dedicated commuter bike with fenders — either a road, cyclocross or touring bike I would guess.

I also wondered about ambient noise.

Liz

[Dirt]

I don’t use it while riding, but I do have a hands-free that completely eliminates an amazing amount of wind noise. Motorola makes it. There are a few other companies that make very nice wind-noise canceling hands-frees.

[adamx]

we are not seriously promoting cyclist’s use of cell phones while on the bike are we???

[WillStewart]

I thought I passed you on the way in, I was on the recumbent that went by at the top of the slight hill at Van Buren st before getting on the trail that bypassess East Falls Church Metro under Sycamore St. Come to think of it, that might have been Thursday.

[CCrew]

Fwiw, most of the Jawbone devices have excellent noise suppression.

—
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.176045,-78.116219

[StopMeansStop]

I wear the stock iPhone headphones when riding so I can listen to NPR and handle calls. They make these clips for the headphones called earbudi that keep them in place. Still can hear plenty of ambient and most people can’t even tell that Im riding.

[eminva]

@adamx 14283 wrote:

we are not seriously promoting cyclist’s use of cell phones while on the bike are we???

Since I started this, I’ll bite. No, that was not my intent. I was just amazed that he was able to do it, without addressing the advisability.

@WillStewart 14292 wrote:

I thought I passed you on the way in, I was on the recumbent that went by at the top of the slight hill at Van Buren st before getting on the trail that bypassess East Falls Church Metro under Sycamore St. Come to think of it, that might have been Thursday.

Did you mean to say it was me you passed on Thursday? If so, I apologize if I didn’t say anything. I must have been really engrossed in my commute. I did pass that way on Thursday a.m. (but not Friday).

Liz

[WillStewart]

@eminva 14329 wrote:

Did you mean to say it was me you passed on Thursday? If so, I apologize if I didn’t say anything. I must have been really engrossed in my commute. I did pass that way on Thursday a.m. (but not Friday).

No need to apologize, I was passing on a corner and was going about 4-5 mph faster. I might have said something if it hadn’t been for the 2 cyclists coming up the hill that I had to think about positioning myself to avoid, so by the time I could chat, I was at least 20 feet past.

[rcannon100]

earbudi

Two questions – first, do you not get a good deal of wind resistance creating noise

They go over your ear. Do you wear protective glasses? Do you find it hard to get the earbudi on as well as your glasses.

I bought a pair that were similar concept, but they conflicted with my glasses and now sit in a drawer.

[Author]

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