Active Gear

Want some riding tunes, sans earplugs? It's a CycleSound for you.

Raise your hand if you hate earplugs? Yup, so do we. They’re a pain when you’re sweating and usually drown out any other sound you may need to hear (not that that’s always bad). But when you’re on a bike, they can be downright dangerous.

Misty West, a music-loving member of local cycling club Springbike, tuned us in to this little device. The CycleSound is a small, pouch-encased speaker system that attaches under your bicycle seat (so as not to ruin your balance) and runs on batteries. Just attach your iPod and you’ve got headphones-free tunes for your ride, allowing you to hear your fellow riders and, more importantly, traffic.

CycleSound is available locally at A&B Cycle (3620 S. National Ave., 417-866-2261) or online at cyclesound.net.