Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

[Stevenp]

Hey, I'm touring the U.S. and am looking for some great suggestions for music to help get me into a good cycling rhythm.

Could I get some suggestions? Something to get me pumped and inspired all at the same time.

Thanks!

Steve
"From Addiction to Ambition" ~CGOB

[litespeed]

Steve Earle. "Guitar Town" has the best road music ever.

[tonythomson]

Get the music of where you are from California Beach Boys to Dolly in Tennessee (so I don't know anything up to date) If nothing else and you don't like it, you will be spurred on to get moving.

Being a party pooper I would caution against riding while plugged in to your I-pod.

Have fun

[Kittery Rider]

As much as I like music, I too agree it is unsafe to ride with headphones.  Sound like my Dad now.  Hendrix.  Machine Gun.  That will get you pumped. 

[cgarch]

Think what you like, but when I'm on the road or camping or anything similar, I leave the electronic devices behind - I prefer the silence. For me that's the way the world came and I like hearing the wind, the birds, the screech of the hawk, and the truck coming up behind me. If I hear a tune, it's the ones that pop up in my memory, as though reciting an old story handed down. I also happen to like chatting with my perennial partner, my wife, about what we're doing. I prefer the endorphin load as well - it's a very restful place. It's a sad commentary on the modern world that we have little appreciation for silence and that we have to be entertained everywhere we go.

I should add that this comment was inspired by a conversation over dinner with another cycle tourist while we were camped at Elk Prairie CG hiker-biker site on the CA coast on 7 August. She had noted how many folks were touring down the left coast and were so absorbed with their iPads and such ("making love to their iPads . . (not her comment))". She was in her 15th month of riding around the world - www.getjealous.com/judezebedee

YMMV

Craig

[Stevenp]

Thanks Craig, I'll look that one up.

[whittierider]

As much as I like music, I too agree it is unsafe to ride with headphones

which is why it's illegal in California (although I see it all the time on the class-1 paved bike trails where the vehicle code is not really in effect)

[litespeed]

I agree with the anti-music-while-bicycling contingent here. In my van the radio is always on but I would never listen to music while bicycling. My ears are a principal safety device, especially considering that I don't use a mirror. I want to hear what is coming up behind me. And, as I have said before, few things are more exasperating than screaming "On your left" at some jogger, bicyclist(s) or (worst of all) rollerblader and going unheard because they have music stuck in their ears.

I have never been bored while bicycling even on the longest, loneliest road. Even on my Holiday FL to Savannah GA - and reverse - ride which I have done numerous times (and isn't very scenic) I don't get bored.

[Stevenp]

This isn't about any rules or laws so please just suggest some good touring music if you have suggestions, otherwise no need to talk about the laws. I understand all of that, I'm simply wanting to hear good music suggestions.

so... any good music to suggest?

Thanks

[chrisch]

"Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is always on my playlist.  It always brings me back to the Czech countryside (http://trackmytour.com/dsV0g#17219) when I hear it.

I agree that headphones are dangerous and have little place in cycling.  That's why I use a Podio MP3 player (http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090505/podio-mp3-player-for-cyclists/).  I love this thing and highly recommend it as a replacement to headphones.

[JayH]

I generally don't listen to music when touring.. I do when commuting to work, Iron Maiden is a good way to get the juices going and to get ready to deal with cagers.... :-)

I'll start off by suggesting "The Trooper" or anything off the album 'Piece of Mind'

jay

[Joe B]

Widespread Panic in general. Specifically the tune "Thin Air" from the album Ball. No matter where I am or what the ride is doing, this song feels like 40 mph with a tailwind ...

P.S. Great story by the way Steven, congratz on getting things turned around so the pointy end is into the wind...

[mucknort]

Um, yeah, the sounds of the wind/birds/rivers/streams/crickets/and my fellow riders are about the best sounds on Earth for me when I tour.

[indyfabz]

Um, yeah, the sounds of the wind/birds/rivers/streams/crickets/and my fellow riders are about the best sounds on Earth for me when I tour.

+1 BTW...He's riding without a helmet since he forgot it somewhere several days ago and did not want to wait until a check cleared so he could have the funds to buy a new one. A dangerous combination to say the least.

[waynemyer]

"Breaking into Heaven" and "Driving South" by Stone Roses
"Manik Shamanik" (especially at sunrise or just starting to roll) and "Planet 7 (Son Kite mix)" (the album version is also awesome) by System 7
"I'm Good, I'm Gone (Fred Falke remix)" by Lykke Li
"Triptico" and "La Gloria" by Gotan Project
"Turtle (Bonobo Remix)" by Pilote

And if any of those particularly suit you, let me know. I used to be a professional DJ and have lots more selections on tap.

Maybe he wants music before rolling out or while in camp or during rest stops. Yes, au naturel is best, but whenever the topic of music comes up, people always feel the need to wade in with the smug "I don't listen to music while riding."