Whether I’m out riding solo or with a group, there’s always a song in my head. It’s like when you’re riding in your car heading into work. You dial in your FM station or in my case, my Spotify playlist, to get your day started. The same goes for getting out on the open road or bike path on your SUPER73.

The music isn’t so loud that I can’t hear my surroundings because that’s very important. I’ll have my SENA 30K or SENA M1 EVO helmet, depending on what I’m riding that day, connected to my phone. I’ll be able to hear the music as well as chat with the group on the mesh network. I highly recommend you picking one up to communicate with your squad. It also works well just listening to music on your ride. But yes, hearing what’s around you while riding is crucial. You have to be alert and aware of the hazards that might be along your path.

Now that you have speakers, you need music from your phone. I’m hopelessly connected to the Apple ecosystem and do subscribe to Apple Music. I have bought albums/songs in the past to support the band or artist. It’s nice to download and listen to these songs offline like when you’re on a plane for several hours. You remember traveling on a plane right? Gosh, it’s been already a year when I took a flight to Portland for The One Moto Show. Love the Pacific Northwest. Such a great area to visit especially Portland. Was up there for a friend’s wedding years ago and we had a blast hitting the town. More recently was in town for an event and got to meet the PDX Super Squad and introduce them to the new RX that we just launched. Really great group up there. Can’t wait to get back. Shoutout to Michael Toomin.

I prefer using Spotify. It’s been some years now using this particular music app and I feel like there is more variety in what I choose to listen to. I’m more familiar with using their UI and I have many playlists saved for what mood I’m in. It also recommends certain songs and playlists learning what you are listening to. When riding, I mostly will go through my “Liked Songs” playlist. This includes; Muse, Incubus, Linkin Park, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Mos Def, Logic, Drake, to name a few. I lean towards the hip-hop side with a splash of rock. In 2020, my most listened to artist was Logic. Found out about his album Under Pressure back in 2014 and haven’t looked back. His lyrics are poetic and his beats are unrivaled. I can’t say I’ve heard anything like him before and I was drawn to that. We grew up on Eminem, Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang Clan, the Roots and Logic seemed like he had it all. I was very close to getting some killer seats when he was in town but some other plans came up and I had to let this one go. I still regret not going to that show a few years ago. I know it would have been amazing.

My playlists vary from Rock, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Rap, Lo-Fi, Alternative, Electronic, you name it. I’ve always had an ear for different types of genres. I wasn’t too into Country until I had a beer in my hand on the lake with friends. It’s all about good times am I right? I’ll tend to put on more of a chill playlist when riding alone especially later in the day. It sets the pace for the cruise around the neighborhood hitting some local spots where you can see Newport harbor or down on the peninsula to watch the sunset. Then there are times where I’ll play a mix of rock in the morning to liven it up. Get the juices flowing to hit the pavement at some good speeds. I’ll mostly be 28mph+ on some backroad somewhere just feeling it. I’m a morning person and normally up by 5:30-6am without an alarm. Don’t need too much to start my day but I do enjoy me some Chai Tea Latte. It’s from Trader Joe’s by the coffee aisle in an orange can and comes in a powder. All you got to do is add hot water and bam!

For you, choose something to set the mood or to compliment the mood you’re in. People have their preferences and might even like to listen to podcasts when they ride. I’m a Joe Rogan Experience fan and enjoy his transparency and his interesting guests. The man is super funny and very knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. He’s another one I would like to watch his stand-up routine. I hope to see him in person when I’m out in Austin next time. Don’t get me started about Austin, TX. That’s like my second home. I have some really good friends that live out there and I fell in love with the culture when I was visiting every year for Formula One, X Games, or SXSW. It’s the Live Music Capital of the U.S. and it lives up to its name. That’s where y’all need to visit when things start getting better.

As always, have fun and ride safe.