Do you smoke?

Pokerface

I know this is probably a dumb question for most people - but does anyone smoke? And if so - does it affect your riding?

If I'm being 100% honest - I used to smoke. Not a lot, but smoked nonetheless. Only gave it up 100% a few months ago - and can certainly feel the difference when I'm out riding.

So - anyone else want to 'fess up?

cee

me...

I gave up a couple of years ago, but started again foolishly.

Still on about 5 a day and do want to stop again, but haven't

I do think it affects my riding, especially on climbs.

It is pretty difficult to tell though as compared to non-riding friends, I seem fit as a fiddle.

Bhima

Nope. Never smoked in my life. Ever.

But i'd like to point out that riding a bike is probably the best way into quitting - a mate of mine wanted to come out on a ride with me once and 2 miles in, they had to give up and turn back home because they couldn't breathe! They were on the verge of needing an ambulance! :shock:

They quit smoking the next day because of the experience and now commute to work by bike quite comfortably!

camerone

i am a perennial smoker/non smoker. I am in a period of non smoking that has been a month or so - and it helps the cycling a massive amount. My trouble is that i can stop quite easily ( afew days locked in a room wanting to kill people then all fine) so after a couple of months I start again. Determined not to this time. I find not only the breathing improves but the threshold for lactate build up is way higher - something to do with lungs processing oxygen and sending to muscles I think :?
I find riding more keeps me off the fags - the benefit is easily noticable. If I have a ley-off for a week (busy at work/family etc) i find it more difficult to resist....
I am trying new tactic of spending equivalent on cycling treats - just ordered a pair od Assos shorts.. very pleasing

sub55

yep 0.5 an ounce of hand rolling tobacco a day sins i was 12

did i ever mansion the 1st cat license and 2 national champ winners medals for TTing
o i forgot the place to place record

softlad

sub55 wrote:

yep 0.5 an ounce of hand rolling tobacco a day sins i was 12

did i ever mansion the 1st cat license and 2 national champ winners medals for TTing
o i forgot the place to place record

sub55 - what brand of baccy are you on..? - I don't smoke, but I'm going out to buy some tomorrow...

sub55

softlad wrote:

sub55 wrote:

yep 0.5 an ounce of hand rolling tobacco a day sins i was 12

did i ever mansion the 1st cat license and 2 national champ winners medals for TTing
o i forgot the place to place record

sub55 - what brand of baccy are you on..? - I don't smoke, but I'm going out to buy some tomorrow...

ceredigion where :?: in a club :?:

attica

I gave up many years ago by saving really hard for my first ever road bike, promising myself that I'd give up the day I took delivery of the bike, I kept my word for two months and two glorious days until some pillock in a tin box knocked me off, trashed the bike and left me sprawling in the road in Coventry city centre. First thing I did was buy some fags to calm down

Now after watching my Dad die of cancer I'm fag free again (nearly three years), I ride like there's a demon at my heels who will give me cancer if he ever catches me, sharpens the mind and makes me faster. I love the feeling of air pouring into my lungs, as I punish myself up a hill, right down into the bits that used to be clogged up.

ride_whenever

i'm quitting at the moment, almost a week so far...

liversedge

ex-smoker of 7 years who relapsed last year and is smoke free again since last summer. Cycling was a big part of the giving up process.

Pokerface

I lived with a smoker for the past 4 years - but now I'm getting divorced and have moved out - so the evil woman isn't around me anymore blowing smoke into my face and feeding my addiction any more. Has made it really easy to quit. :twisted:

oldwelshman

Pokerface wrote:

I know this is probably a dumb question for most people - but does anyone smoke? And if so - does it affect your riding?

If I'm being 100% honest - I used to smoke. Not a lot, but smoked nonetheless. Only gave it up 100% a few months ago - and can certainly feel the difference when I'm out riding.

So - anyone else want to 'fess up?

Yes it is a dumb question
How does it affect cycling? same as any other sport, reduced lung capacity.

griffo75

i'm glad you started this thread as now i feel i'm not alone.
i've managed to quit three times all lasting about 6 mounths then starts again.
just starting number 4 this time the last time.
every hill reminds me to quit.
planning a sportive then end of the year just for a bit of focus.

plowmar

Did, don't.

After many attempts I found that I had to have a really strong reason to do so.

Birth of daughter = stop.

Took years before I could go into a pub and not feel the urge - to smoke.

Easier now though.

23 years stopped but it was very hard and because I had to compensate the weight piled on, 5stones+.

Took up cycling seriously 4/5 years ago after 1/2 marathons - knee went.

So here I am fitter than before but still cannot get above 17.5 MPH average, but can breath.

steve-m

Used to, gave up about 3 years ago because I wanted to get fit / be able to commute to work, now regarded as a fitness nutter by some. I guess it's one thing or the other with me and I prefer cycling/running. Obviously no better off financially

Frank the tank

Fortunately I've never smoked and I take my hat off to anyone who has the will power to quit.

dave milne

gave up fags 10 years ago. still smoke the odd joint had 1 tonight after a 112 miler. when this runs out that's my lot

richara3

I stopped on the 2nd of march this yr. So far its been easy to stop.


Has it made a difference to my cycling.. Well the commute is easier and when I am out in the hills on my days off I am breathing much easier and my legs are lasting longer than before but they still give in long before my lungs do :oops: , Still Ive only been cycling a few months..I am aiming for a 100mile rides by mid summer. Time will tell

Andy

neilo23

I know it's an old topic, but......
I've led a kind of split life for years: Cycling for dozens of miles every day and ruining everything by smoking dozens of fags before and after. Managed to stop for almost 2 years, but started again like an idiot.
I'm writing now as I seem to have finally kicked the habit and would like to share how I did it as it is the only thing that has ever worked for me.
Ask your doctor to pescribe you a new pill called CHAMPIX. Anyone interested can read up about it on the internet. Don't be put off by the possible side effects you'll read about. If you've ever given up you'll see that the side effects are pretty normal when you give up.
The pills affect the part of your brain which enjoys smoking. I found that I simply lost interest in smoking soon after starting to take them. They are expensive, but so are fags.
I don't work for the company. Just wanted to share this in case I can help anyone desperate to stop smoking. Now I can go up the hills without coughing until I puke :-)

attica

neilo23 wrote:

Now I can go up the hills without coughing until I puke :-)

You're not trying hard enough MTFU

Congrats on quitting

Alex_Simmons/RST

I started when I was 7 years old and gave up when I was 10.
Didn't see the sense in it and thought my money was better put to other things.