Can't We All Agree on This?
Fully Rigid 12/20/22
You playing your music loud enough for other trail users to hear is not acceptable. If you need it to ride, you’re doing it all wrong. Nevertheless, do us all a favor and use ear buds. Thank you.
Yes, I’ve written/commented about this in the past. This time around, though, I’m calling for music streamed through devices/speakers that can be heard by others while on-trail as being not acceptable in the mountain biking community. I’m asking mountain biking clubs/orgs/associations to officially add it to their list of proper trail etiquette. I’m asking all of you to make 2023 the year of a concerted effort to launch a campaign aimed at putting an end to mountain bikers playing music through speakers, no matter the audible level.
It has to stop.
Ever hear of One Square Inch of Silence? Gordan Hempton is a visionary. Check out his book by the same name/title. Learn more here:
Silence: In the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge is another book to add to your list. From his book:
“Which paths lead to silence? Certainly trips into the wild. Leave your electronics at home, take off in one direction until there’s nothing around you. Be alone for three days. Don’t talk to anyone. Gradually you will rediscover other sides of yourself.”
Trips into the wild should not include encountering other people playing their music loud enough that you hear it before you see them.
Period.
Mountain biking club/org/association leaders, I’m more than willing to assist in writing the “rule” on this one. Contact me if you’re interested in such assistance.
Share this post far and wide, if you’d like. Thank you.
Fully Rigid is a monthly column by James Murren about Mountain Biking Issues within the Mountain Biking Community. It’s meant to be a cranky-attitude rant.
Yes we can agree. If you want to write me up a sentence on this we can add to our trail courtesy page. Thanks.
I didn’t know if we can all agree, that usually never happens. I’m in, and my guess is most of the people reading this are too. I think Susie adding it to the SDMBA trail courtesy/etiquette page is great and will hopefully start a trend. Not sure if sayings you can’t play your loud will do the trick, as that can be subjective. Looking forward to what you come up with