Even when the weather turns brisk, you can still pull your bicycle out of the garage and take it for a late afternoon spin through the park. When the urge to ride hits, slip on your bicycle helmet, let your mind shift into low gear and listen to these two-wheeled tunes on your iPod:

"Couldn't We Ride" (Performed by Kermit and Miss Piggy)

Featured in the 1981 movie The Great Muppet Caper, Kermit and Miss Piggy sing this song about the joys of cycling while they take a ride through the park. Muppet creator Jim Henson and his son Brian were involved in the intricate mechanics involved in making two of Henson's creations appear to ride bicycles.

"Santa's Workshop" (Performed by Schwinntonation)

A Chicago group named Schwinntonation isn't happy simply to write songs about bicycles. Using their two-wheelers, the group turns the sounds made by bicycles into musical tracks like "Santa's Workshop" and "Tuneup for the Big Race." The percussion effect created by their bicycles is oddly hypnotic.

"Bicycle Safety" (Performed by John Buchanan)

One track from his album Safety Songs, John Buchanan sings about the basics of bicycle safety to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star." Even the most experienced riders can always use a reminder about the basics.

"Broken Bicycles" (Performed by Tom Waits)

In this song from the soundtrack album to Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart, Tom Waits sings about a love relationship that feels like an old bicycle. The relationship, like the bike, may be old, rusty and broken, but he simply doesn't have the heart to throw it away.

"The Bicycle Song" (Performed by Uncle Andy)

A cautionary tale about cycling, Uncle Andy sings about the potential dangers that can occur if your ride your bicycle down a hill at 90 miles per hour. Suffice it to say, the singer goes to pieces—and so does his bicycle.

"Bicycle Race" (Performed by Queen)

The most universally recognized anthem about cycling, Queen performs this tune about a young man who wants nothing more out of life than to get on his bicycle and ride.

Resources:
http://bicycleuniverse.info/stuff/music.html
http://schwinntonation.googlepages.com/
http://www.songsforteaching.com/johnbuchanan/bicyclesafety.htm

Skiing is one of those sports that most people can enjoy, even if they have to stay on the "bunny slopes" for most of their trip. While you are waiting for some good powder, slip your headphones on over your beanie and get into the groove with these skiing songs:

"Bend in His Knees" (Sung by Bob Gibson)
Located on his album Ski Songs, Bob Gibson sings the sad tale of a young man who forgets that good skiers need to bend their knees to be low to the ground. Other cuts on Gibson's album include "In this White World "and "Skiin' in the Mornin." Although Gibson's album is 50 years old, you can still download the tracks and see the original cover art, featuring Gibson resting by the fire with his foot in a cast.

"Terrified Skiers on the Bunny Slopes" (Performed by Faust & Lewis)
The comedy duo of Faust & Lewis came up with Powder Party, a whole album of humorous skiing songs, including one about novice skiers who freeze up when they try their skills on the beginner slopes. "Psycho Skier" and "I Like Da Snow" are other offbeat tracks on this unusual album.

"U.B.R (Unwanted Binding Release)" (Sung by Eric T. & the Skis)
In 1984, the group Eric T. & the Skis released Ski Patrol, a novelty record containing some insightful skiing songs. "U.B.R." talks about the problems that occur when your boots come loose from your skis at the wrong moment. Decades later, this group also released a follow-up called Ski Patrol Revisited that contained a few more tunes.

"Super Skier" (Performed by The Chad Mitchell Trio)
A cautionary tale for anyone who spends more time at the lodge than on the slopes, "Super Skier" talks about a "Sundeck Charlie" who brags a little too much. When he finally gets on his skis, he literally goes to pieces while going on a downhill run. Bob Gibson originally performed this song on his 1959 album, but the Chad Mitchell Trio did a notable cover version of the tune.

Resources:
http://bobgibsonlegacy.com/SkiSongs.asp

Though he passed away at the age of 19, John Gillespie Magee, Jr. left the world an enduring legacy in "High Flight," a poem that the combat fighter reportedly composed while in the air. A mid-air collision took Magee's life in 1941, but his poem continues to inspire us to, in his words, "slip the surly bonds of Earth."

To honor Magee's spirit, slip on a flight jacket and power up your iPod with some of these high-flying hits:

"Space Oddity" (Written and Performed by David Bowie)
As "Moon Fever" gripped the world in the late 1960's, David Bowie composed this tune about Major Tom, an astronaut struggling with both the loneliness and beauty of outer space. At one point in the song, he says he's "just sitting in my tin can." Fourteen years later, Peter Schilling composed a follow-up called "Major Tom (Coming Home)" that became a major hit.

"Up, Up and Away" (Recorded by the 5th Dimension)
Jimmy Webb wrote this enduring pop tune about hot-air ballooning more than 40 years ago, but it still inspires thoughts of gently soaring through the air. The 5th Dimension recorded Webb's song, making it a Top 40 hit.

"Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" (Performed by the Royal Guardsmen)
Inspired by the most famous beagle on the planet, the Royal Guardsmen recorded this in honor of Charlie Brown's dog. In Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip, Snoopy often imagined he was a World War I Flying Ace, doing aerial battle against Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, the German flier better known as "The Red Baron." The Royal Guardsmen also produced two related songs, "Snoopy's Christmas" and "The Return of the Red Baron."

"Brother Up in Heaven" (Released by Alan Parsons)
Dedicated to the memory of Erik Mounsey, "Brother Up in Heaven" was one of the most memorable songs from "On Air," a solo release from Alan Parsons. Mounsey, the cousin of guitarist Ian Bairnson, was serving as a helicopter pilot when he was killed in the skies above Iraq in 1994.

Resources:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1349
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2059

No other piece of gear represents the outdoors better than a good pair of sunglasses, which protect your eyes from the glare of the fresh powder on the slopes and that also keep your retinas from burning on the beach. Because the hot summer weather is here, slip on your favorite pair of shades while listening to these sunglass-inspired tunes on your iPod:

"Sunglasses at Night" (Written and performed by Corey Hart)
The first single released off his debut album "First Offense," this was one of the most memorable techno love songs from the 1980's. According to several reports, though, Hart originally wrote "Sunglasses at Night" about a futuristic society where everyone had to wear their shades after dark. To make it more commercial, he was asked to change the lyrics.

"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" (Performed by Timbuk 3)
This high-energy song came off "Greetings from Timbuk 3," the debut album of the group formed by Barbara and Pat MacDonald. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a nuclear science student, who is blinded by his massive earnings potential. Pat MacDonald had said, though, that the song contained a grimmer message about the threat of nuclear destruction.

"Cheap Sunglasses" (Performed by ZZ Top)
Definitely an 80's tune, this ZZ Top song celebrates the glories of cheap eyewear, no matter if they help ease a painful hangover or accentuate the beauty of a pretty girl.

"Shades"(Sung by Dean Martin)
No list of sunglass songs is complete without one from Dean Martin, a member of the famous "Rat Pack" during the 1960's. Dino sang this romantic ballad about a brokenhearted man who hides his teary eyes behind dark glasses, but nothing can truly hide the pain he's feeling.

"Drivin' into the Sun" (Performed by Sherrie Austin)
More of a love song than a warning about sunshine slowdowns on the highway, Austin sings of a love so powerful that it is as bright as driving into the sun without shades. She also warns listeners that the light will fade, though, on even the most powerful love.

Resources:
http://www.coreyhart.com/
http://www.sherrieaustin.net/more.html
http://www.coreyhart.com/

Perhaps more than anything else, sport fishing requires tons of patience. While you are waiting for a trophy fish to finally tug on your line, unpack the iPod from your waterproof bag, toss back a cold refreshment and listen to these aquatic favorites:

"Under the Sea" (From "The Little Mermaid" Soundtrack)

One of the show-stopping tunes from the popular Disney film, this song talks about the joys that one can find just under the surface of the ocean. The lyrics by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken even go on to say that "it's better, down where it's wetter - take it from me."

"Louie Louie" (Sung by the Kingsmen)

Thanks to an urban legend, the lyrics to "Louie Louie" were supposed to be fairly offensive. In reality, this song is a fairly innocent "sea shanty" about a heartbroken sailor who wants nothing more than to come home and see the girl that he adores.

"Brandy" (Sung by Looking Glass)

This is a sweet, simple song about a girl who serves drinks to all the sailors who are stopping over in her harbor town. The men admire Brandy's good looks, saying that her eyes "could steal a sailor from the sea." Still, despite all this attention, Brandy adores only one man, who, unfortunately, is in love with the sea.

And in case you ignore all those small craft warnings:

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (Sung by Gordon Lightfoot)

In memory of the 29 Edmund Fitzgerald crew members who lost their lives in 1975, Gordon Lightfoot wrote and sang this haunting, yet beautiful song about how the sea truly can be a cruel mistress.

Even the most experienced climbers can use a little inspiration when heading to the summit, which is where these mountain-themed songs on your iPod can help:

"Rocky Top" (Sung by Lynn Anderson)
One of seven official state songs of Tennessee, this Felice and Beaudleaux Bryant collaboration talks about a peak on Thunderhead Mountain, which is located in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell)
Written by legendary songwriters Nikolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the singer of this song is telling the one he loves that there's not a mountain high enough to keep him away when she truly needs him.

"Rocky Mountain High" (Sung by John Denver)
One of the two official Colorado State Songs, Denver sings about the joy he feels when he is up in the mountains, a sentiment echoed by countless climbers and hikers. Initially, concerned government officials thought Denver was talking about another kind of "natural high," one that still is illegal in the United States.

"High Hopes" (Sung by Frank Sinatra)
Halfway to the summit, you may be wondering why you are climbing such rocky terrain. This little tune, sung by the "Chairman of the Board" himself, celebrates the joys of doing seemingly impossible tasks, such as climbing a mountain.

"On Top of Old Smoky" (Sung by the Weavers)
This folk ballad refers to a certain mountain, but experts can't agree which one it is. Some people believe the lyrics refer to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The singer talks about losing the love of his life on the top of the mountain to another man because he acted too slowly.

And just to remind you what might happen if your foot slips:

"Free Fallin'" (Sung by Tom Petty)
Because you don't want to "free fall out into nothin'," always remember to pack a good pair of crampon compatible boots along with your iPod. Without them, you may, as Petty sings, "leave this world for a while."