I appear to be part of a dying breed - Anyone Else a Smoker? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

onlyme Mr G · 01-04-2008, 02:12 PM

I keep saying to myself - "I must give this up!" - but it's easier said than done!
Yes, It does affect my performance and my cycling does suffer as a result, I recently attended an event and out of 110 competitors, I appeared to be the only one who smoked!

I would particularly welcome answers from the regular contributors, enthusiastic or competitive cyclists.(even BMXers!)
.

Russell K · 01-04-2008, 02:14 PM

That's a good one: "dying breed", you are indeed slowly dying, faster than non-smokers. My family doctor was a smoker (he was about my age), he is dead now from emphysema. I started smoking at 17 and quit at 34. It took several years of trying before I finally kicked the habit, but I have not smoked for 40 years and I can tell you from experience that after 20 years you won't want to smoke.

8thWonder · 01-04-2008, 02:14 PM

I ride with my mom and aunt quite frequently and it has become a running joke that I need to start smoking because they totally drop me when we are on a long climb! I don't know how they have the lungs to do it but they are good and smokers! I don't understand. Maybe if you smoke you are just use to it and can adapt? I wouldn't recommend it by any means, but you know.

I'm not taking up smoking don't worry...I'll just keep attacking the climbs come spring.

McG · 01-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Mr G, I am a bit surprised. No, don't get me wrong, sir, no value judgment.

I used to smoke. That was during the period I stopped cycling. My health suffered. Fortunately, it was very easy for me to decide to quit. Part of my job is making sales calls on Nursing Homes. I saw first hand an elderly lady having her lungs drained. She had 2 hubcap sized ashtrays at her bed side -- dang near full. Moaning, and the hose gurgling. Well the sight and odor sickened me. I left the account and "automatically" lit a cigarette, stopped, tossed it and the pack out my window. That was the first time I quit without the excuse of waiting to finish the pack, and the last time I will have to quit. Cold Turkey. That was 11 years ago, thank God.

I believe cycling helped me clear my lungs. I feel the difference.

My friend, and from this site I do consider you a friend, you do need to give them up. Yes it is hard I won't kid you. I went through the shakes and sweats. DO IT.

RIDE HARD!

Edit: I promise to refrain from any smoking jokes in my future answers.