iPod Etiquette?

Hermosa is a USAT tri.  ipods are illegal.

At any rate, using an ipod on that bike course would be in addition stupid.  It's way too crowded and way too narrow.

Time penalty.  But to be blunt, very poor form, and potentially dangerous to you and your fellow competitiors.  Why pay the money or, possibly, take up someone else's slot in a race if you don't intend to follow the rules going in?  Why race at all?  Just do a long brick with your ipod

They're illegal for a reason - they are unsafe in a group racing situation.  I hope if you ever find yourself in a longer race, you reconsider your position

 

Variable Time Penalties 

Distance       1st Offense     2nd Offense      3rd Offense 

Sprint           2:00 minute    4:00 minutes    Disqualification 

Intermediate 2:00 minutes  4:00 minutes     Disqualification 

Long             4:00 minutes  8:00 minutes     Disqualification 

Ultra             6:00 minutes 12:00 minutes    Disqualification 

I just did my first tri (Oly distance) and asked the same question a week before the race I got the same answer.

I never train without my Ipod. I ride with it and run with it. I find it to be a personal choice and would not take a very strong stand either way. I certainly would not imply anyone is stupid for using or not using one. I really enjoy it, but it does require a level of awareness that some people probably don't have the capacity (mental or otherwise) for.

The bottom line is they are not allowed. I raced without my ipod and honestly did not miss it at all on the bike. There were times on the run where I wished that I had it, but it was not as big of a deal as I thought it would be.

FWIW: I did noticed several (4 or 5) people wearing them in the run and no one received a penalty for it. 

chevy57   

FWIW, I had several people pass me on the interstate yesterday at speeds in excess of the legal posted limit. No one received a ticket for it.

Doesn't mean they didn't break the rules. Just that they didn't get caught.

I wasn't implying I would bike with it.  Never have, never will.  I just like to run with it.  For someone who struggles mentally in the run, it makes it a ton easier.  As far as cheating myself, I don't think anyone can make that call for anyone else.  In my opinion, that's similar to saying a woman is cheating herself of the full experience of labor by using drugs in labor.  Everyone's goals are different and the experience we are each seeking is different.  If my goal is to finish and finish happy, that might look totally different than what it would for you. 

 Now the rules thing I agree with for the most part (cappy).  Though there are plenty of sports where the stategy of the game involves taking the penalty (i.e breaking the 'rules') for the greater purpose.  Last 2 minutes of a tight b-ball game is what is coming to mind.

How many were on their cell phones at the time? 

Mark

I tend to ride with an iPod, although at low levels so I can be aware of what's going on around me and it's never been a problem.  I'm a musician, and I do just about everything with music playing ... Not to take me somewhere, but for me, it enhances what I am doing.

As for the race, I was planning on not using one anyway because it just seems insanely dangerous in a group, and I was asking more about what to do about other riders with iPods.  I guess I don't understand the harm or danger during the run, but I can get over it.

 ... but if I get some stupid song stuck  in my head before the run and can't get it out because I don't have a distraction, I'm gonna be pissed!   (not really) 

I would never ride with an MP3 player simply for the sake that there is so much to look at and hear when I'm on my bike!  I wish everyone would try to enjoy biking itself more.  It may take a little practice to get used to it, but there is so much to observe and think about.  The longer the ride the better, too.  And if your riding route is boring, seek out new ones.

For a race, on the topic of ettiquette, I can always spot a person wearing an MP3 player from a ways away.  How?  They are not getting over to let people pass them and - especially annoying - cutting people off on corners.  So, please don't wear a personal listening device of any sort in a race.  It's rude and annoying.  I like to sing in my head and I can usually conjure up many of the songs I hear during training.

Edited to say that my second paragraph applies to people I see running, although it would obviously apply to biking.  But I am always surprised how much an oblivious runner can get in the way.

Great advice if you're only riding 750 miles per year, not so great if you're doing six times that. Only so many cycleable routes in my area.