ChrisCowan.us

So I know this is a very controversial topic amongst mountain bikers (and cyclist in general), but recently I started Rockin’ & Ridin’. For the uninformed, Rockin’ & Ridin’ is when you listen to music (via an iPod or iPhone or some other shitty MP3 device) while riding your bike. Many believe it’s dangerous but for every incident where someone has been hurt there are thousands of times where people ride with headphones and are perfectly safe. My guess that it’s a wash with regards to safety.

In the Great State of California it’s illegal to listen to music with headphones in both ears and operate a vehicle (or bicycle), one ear and your good to go. So this is exactly what I do, I put one headphone in and it provides just enough background music to get me in the just the right mindset but allows me to hear all the delicate little critters on the trail at 6 am. As mater of fact I’ve yet to have a bad ride while Rockin’.

So what am I listening to? Well I’m glad you asked because without further ado here is my playlist (in random order the way I like it):

• Sofa King – Danger Doom : The Mouse And The Mask
• London Calling – The Clash : The Essential
• You Are a Runner and I Am My Father’s Son – Wolf Parade : Apologies to the Queen Mary
• Boyz-N-The-Hood – Dynamite Hack : Superfast
• I Am Somebody (Featuring Chromeo) [Paris Version] – DJ Mehdi featuring Chromeo : Lucky Boy
• Ring Of Fire – Social Distortion : Social Distortion
• Big Time Operator – The Dead Milkmen : Bucky Fellini
• Mansard Roof – Vampire Weekend : Vampire Weekend
• The National Anthem – Radiohead : Kid A
• The Audience Is Listening Theme Song – Cut Chemist : The Audience’s Listening
• Itsoweezee-De La Soul (Pz I Wi – Radiohead : Me & This Army: Radiohead Remi
• Setting Sun – Chemical Brothers : Singles 93-03 (Bonus Disc)
• I Come From The Water – The Toadies : Rubberneck
• Wake Up – Rage Against The Machine : Rage Against The Machine
• The Salmon Dance – The Chemical Brothers : We Are the Night
• Handlebars – Flobots : Fight With Tools
• Paper Planes – M.I.A. : Kala
• Block Rockin` Beats – Chemical Brothers : Singles 93-03 (Bonus Disc)
• Holiday In The Sun – The Sex pistols : Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols
• Knights of Cydonia – Muse : Black Holes and Revelations
• I Predict a Riot – Kaiser Chiefs : Employment
• Galvanize (feat Q-Tip) – Chemical Brothers : Push The Button
• Balls Out – The Bloodhound Gang : Hefty Fine
• Had A Dad (Demo) – Jane’s Addiction : Live And Rare [Japan]
• Let’s Push Things Forward – The Streets : Original Pirate Material
• Positive Tension – Bloc Party : Silent Alarm
• Daytona 500-Ghostface (Panzah – Radiohead : Me & This Army: Radiohead Remix
• Magic Johnson – Red Hot Chili Peppers : Mother’s Milk
• Stockholm Syndrome – Muse : Absolution
• Rock Is Dead – Matrix : The Matrix
• wake up – Arcade Fire : Funeral
• Firestarter – The Prodigy : Baby`s Got a Temper
• Dimension – Wolfmother : Wolfmother
• Down On Haley – Nerf Herder : Nerf Herder
• Sabotage – Beastie Boys : Ill Communication
• Carbon Monoxide – Cake : Pressure Chief
• Song 2 – Blur : Blur
• Rapperfection-Edan (Ft. Mr. Li – Radiohead : Me & This Army: Radiohead Remix
• Woman – Wolfmother : Wolfmother
• Feels Just Like It Should – Jamiroquai : Dynamite
• Ball And Chain – Social Distortion : Social Distortion
• Eple – Röyksopp : Melody A.M.
• Change The Beat-MF Doom (Pz Wi – Radiohead : Me & This Army: Radiohead Remix
• Breaking Into Heaven – The Stone Roses : Second Coming
• Welcome to TMCR – The Pinker Tones : The Million Colour Revolution
• Stop – Jane’s Addiction : Ritual De Lo Habitual
• Ready Steady Go – Paul Oakenfold : Bunkka
• Shimmy Shimmy Ya – Ol` Dirty Bastard : Return to the 36 Chambers
• Röyskopp’s Night Out – Röyksopp : Melody A.M.

P.S. I only Rock & Ride when mountain biking… The road is crazy enough that I don’t need any extra noise!