Volcanic ash, strenuous exercise and cycling?

miurasv

Is it safe to engage in strenuous exercise like cycling with Volcanic Ash in our atmosphere? When engaging in strenuous exercise outdoors we are breathing heavily obviously and I was wondering whether the Volcanic Ash could be harmful as if so this could affect cyclists more than others as it's going to be blown in their faces more so than other exercises? If the ash is toxic why haven't the government made people more aware of any dangers that there may be? Even if they aren't sure that there is a risk people should still be informed of a potential risk. Thanks in advance for any replies.

ColinJ

I saw an interview with a government medical spokesman who said that it shouldn't cause problems for healthy people though people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis should be careful.

Having said that, I went out on a hilly 70 mile ride on Sunday and found myself coughing and spluttering in an unfamiliar way. I felt like my breathing wasn't as good as it normally is but it would be hard to prove whether ash had anything to do with it.

It can't be good to inhale dust but it's not good to sit around doing nothing either. I suppose you could try riding wearing a white filter mask and take a good look at it afterwards to see if you could spot any discolouration.

That ash must come down to earth somewhere eventually. I saw somebody in Scotland whose car was covered in the stuff overnight and I thought then that I wouldn't fancy breathing it in...

neeb

Official advice is that it's unlikely to be harmful to anyone who doesn't have a medical condition and that any effects are likely to be temporary, i.e. just irritation basically. But if you can actually see the dust (e.g. it has been deposited on cars etc) and smell a sulfurous smell, you "may wish to curtail your outdoor activities". Most of the time the dust is in the high atmosphere, although if it rains it may be deposited on the ground and then blown around when it dries. There are some potential health risks associated with the smaller size particles and with sulfur dioxide, but you probably get exposed to these in greater quantities every day from motor vehicle exhausts...

softlad

unless you're exercising at over 30,000ft I can't see the problem.....

shockedsoshocked

I live in Middlesbrough.

This is nothing 8)

thiscocks

I would STRONGLY advise anyone thinking of riding a bike outside while the volcano is still erupting to NOT ride. You will die.

amaferanga

thiscocks wrote:

I would STRONGLY advise anyone thinking of riding a bike outside while the volcano is still erupting to NOT ride. You will die.

+1

I haven't even left my house since Thursday last week.

V5ade

thiscocks wrote:

I would STRONGLY advise anyone thinking of riding a bike outside while the volcano is still erupting to NOT ride. You will die.

Riding down the volcano away from the lava is still recomended

Bronzie

thiscocks wrote:

I would STRONGLY advise anyone thinking of riding a bike outside while the volcano is still erupting to NOT ride. You will die.

This especially applies to anyone who is down to ride the Welwyn Wheelers Road Race this Sunday. Latest Met Office forecasts predict dangerously high levels of airborne ash particles in the High Street of Old Warden area between 10am and 12:30pm. Instantaneous death is almost certain to anyone exercising above 50% of maximum heart rate level. You have been warned.

Gypsum_Fantastic

thiscocks wrote:

I would STRONGLY advise anyone thinking of riding a bike outside while the volcano is still erupting to NOT ride. You will die.

Those who stay indoors will also die

I heard an interview on radio4 with someone who specialised in particulate induced lung disorders and he advised there was very little to worry about. Even when Monseratt (SP?) blew its lid they only recorded a very minor increase in the number of brochitis and asthma related cases they dealt with.

It's supposed to be sunny this weekend volcano or no volcano I'm playing out on my bike!

neeb

Actually, there is a good chance that the ground will open up and swallow you and you will be floundering in a cauldron of boiling magma.

If your frame is titanium you might be OK though.

bompington

I would especially advise against a TSS of over 100 for 52 days or more of eruption

Heckler1974

TRUE FACT - Volcanic ash, if it gets wet, will cause a chemical reaction if it comes into contact with carbon fibre that will significantly soften the material and cause it to fail. - TRUE FACT

bexley5200

ash here loads on the top of cars ,ash sounds like a smoking ban