No headphones

My days are usually spent traveling in to work during the week.  During the summer and warmer days I am on my bike pedalling into the downtown.  I have never been one to wear headphones on the bike.  Despite my love of music I am usually happier without headphones on my ears.  Especially when I am on the bike.  My main distrust is the lack of hearing somebody or something that would catch me unaware.  But my second factor is the solitude that I get.  The sounds that surround me on my ride are vast.  I have cruised past deer that I could have tapped on the nose.  I have dodged beavers and skunks.  But as I ride in I am fortunate, I get the sound of nature and city in unison.  I get to hear a city as it shakes off the sleep of the night before.  I am given a chance to listen to many birds and other critters as they begin or end their day.  It is amazing, like looking at the night sky outside the lights of the city.  You are amazed at the number of stars that are present in the sky.

So why I prefer the music of the things around me?  I am unsure, I just know the sounds are so much better than if I had my favourite album playing.  Which brings me to the point of this discussion, taking time to see and listen to the things around you.  There are many times I have wanted to experience more nature.  To get out of the city and see something without the drone of the cars or other sounds.  Not every time can I escape but I do get to skip past some of the other stuff when I ride in.  It is simply put peaceful.