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02-08-2007, 04:44 PM

On Feb 8, 5:29 pm, Mark Hickey <m...@habcycles.com> wrote:
> "runcyclexc...@yahoo.com" <runcyclexc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=code_red
>
> >Has anyone here experienced chronic lung sickness that can be traced
> >back to when they started riding more/harder?
>
> >I think I have developed chronic lung inflammation after an enjoable
> >season of riding on urban CA. By riding a road bike alongside with
> >cars you are reduce polution and get in shape, but you are poison
> >yourself with car emissions. Cyclists, especially when going hard,
> >expose their lower airways and alveoli to pollution at least 10 times
> >more compared to the case of no exertion (i.e. compared to car
> >drivers). A cyclist going hard passes at least 100 lliters of air
> >through his/her lungs per minute (compared to ~10 liters per minute
> >when not exertiing, assuming 500 ml average breaths and ~20 breaths
> >per minute). Not everyone will develop problems, but susceptible
> >people will. If I could go back, I would have switched to m.biking or
> >trail running.
>
> Hmmmmm... the information I've read suggests that the air the cyclists
> breath is CLEANER than that of the motorist (at least, those in a
> closed vehicle), because of the trapping of the noxious gasses in the
> ****pit, and the fact that they tend to trail along nose to tail.
> You're absolutely right about us using more air though - but I have to
> wonder how much getting in "in and out in a hurry" matters to how much
> nasty stuff actually gets absorbed.

The air could be cleaner (I doubt it... I kee my car windows closed
anyway), but it would have to be 10 times cleaner to make biking safer
than driving.

I read that what separates elite athletes from others is the exposure
of their lower airways to the elements when breathing. There is no
distrinct boundary here: when you are riding you are naturally
breathing deeper.. If you are going hard, you are exposing your lower
airways.

> I've ridden in places that would make the air in Los Angeles look
> positively pristine, and never had any major lung issues (though I
> could feel "something wrong" after a long ride in really bad air).

You've got good genes. Just like those people who smoke and live to
100.

02-08-2007, 04:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
runcyclexcski@yahoo.com Posts: n/a	Re: poisoning yourself by riding On Feb 8, 5:29 pm, Mark Hickey <m...@habcycles.com> wrote: > "runcyclexc...@yahoo.com" <runcyclexc...@yahoo.com> wrote: > >http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=code_red > > >Has anyone here experienced chronic lung sickness that can be traced > >back to when they started riding more/harder? > > >I think I have developed chronic lung inflammation after an enjoable > >season of riding on urban CA. By riding a road bike alongside with > >cars you are reduce polution and get in shape, but you are poison > >yourself with car emissions. Cyclists, especially when going hard, > >expose their lower airways and alveoli to pollution at least 10 times > >more compared to the case of no exertion (i.e. compared to car > >drivers). A cyclist going hard passes at least 100 lliters of air > >through his/her lungs per minute (compared to ~10 liters per minute > >when not exertiing, assuming 500 ml average breaths and ~20 breaths > >per minute). Not everyone will develop problems, but susceptible > >people will. If I could go back, I would have switched to m.biking or > >trail running. > > Hmmmmm... the information I've read suggests that the air the cyclists > breath is CLEANER than that of the motorist (at least, those in a > closed vehicle), because of the trapping of the noxious gasses in the > ****pit, and the fact that they tend to trail along nose to tail. > You're absolutely right about us using more air though - but I have to > wonder how much getting in "in and out in a hurry" matters to how much > nasty stuff actually gets absorbed. The air could be cleaner (I doubt it... I kee my car windows closed anyway), but it would have to be 10 times cleaner to make biking safer than driving. I read that what separates elite athletes from others is the exposure of their lower airways to the elements when breathing. There is no distrinct boundary here: when you are riding you are naturally breathing deeper.. If you are going hard, you are exposing your lower airways. > I've ridden in places that would make the air in Los Angeles look > positively pristine, and never had any major lung issues (though I > could feel "something wrong" after a long ride in really bad air). You've got good genes. Just like those people who smoke and live to 100.