Asthma on the bike - affected by the cold?

[nobrakes]

I did a four and a half hour ride today and was pushing quite hard (I was on the trike so that doesn't translate to anything other than mediocre speed . It was pretty cold, ranging from around 0-3 degrees C. The last hour was very cold, hailstones etc.

I've never had an asthma attack in my life, and was fine all the way round. However, within minutes of getting back into the house, my lungs tightened right up and became very sore, tight and wheezy. It wasn't a full blown asthma attack but it was bad enough that I had to lie down and take a few puffs on an inhaler that we had in the house. Still feeling pretty sore hours later. That's a new one on me.

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with transitioning from very cold to a warm house. Any other asthma sufferers out there who have more experience of these kind of situations in the cold, and any good advice for things to avoid? If I don't cycle in the cold I lose at least 4 months of the year.

 

[Don1]

avoid the cold... use zwift

 

[cranky cyclist]

As a Respiratory Therapist, I can tell you that there are many things that can trigger an asthma attack. Extreme cold and exercise together may have triggered it. Both of these things can trigger an asthma attack. Perhaps an indoor trainer isn't a bad idea. The other thing would be to avoid the really cold days and bike on the warmer days. Also, follow up with your MD. You may need a rescue inhaler.

 

[benphyr]

An old friend of mine who ran a lot (there's no way to coast when running so you get less chance to take it easy) indicated that the older he got the longer the warm up and cool down times had to be. At the beginning of every winter when cold weather began especially but also throughout the winter he would have to warm up by going as slowly as possible - think walking speed for increasingly long times as he aged. I think he was about 67 when I had the conversation and he was saying 5-10minutes minimum of extremely slow warm up before doing a lower intensity run due simply to cool temperatures. Never full out in the cold for him or he would get sick - and longer cool down and more recovery time too - all results of the difficulty factors - weather, temperature, age, etc.

Also, I find from commuting year round in southern Ontario - I seem to be warmer on diamond frame bikes wearing the same clothing. Feet, face, core, all seem colder on the Cruzbike. I think maybe the helmet blocks or slows some of the wind and weather from hitting the rest of the face and body quite so directly. At least that has been my experience.

And very much what cranky said - make sure you look after yourself - I for one want you to thrive, and so I can keep reading about your excellent experiences. Thank you for sharing your experience as it is a good warning for the rest of the tribe.

And Thank you Cranky for sharing your expert advise. I love how we look out for each other in the tribe.

 

[nobrakes]

Thanks for the comments folks. I already ride a trainer in the garage when the weather is bad.

I'm going to see a doctor as soon as possible as some of my rides go through areas where there is no mobile phone signal. I'll try and cool down more before I come back into the house next time and be more careful when it is really cold. Maybe it was a one off but it's amazing how quickly something like that can dent your confidence. Still sore and tight today, so I need to pay attention to this.

 

[bladderhead]

I was asthmatic when I was young. Loads of people are triggered by change in air temperature, or just cold air. That was my one. A virus can bring it on. That used to get me too. Somebody clever than I am should invent a mask, like an anti-pollution mask, that heats up the air as you breathe it in. You could power it from a dynamo. With that and lights and wireless shifter and phone charger your dynamo will slow you down.

 

[nobrakes]

Tried a session on the turbo tonight. A trainerroad workout of 4x7 minutes at 102% of FTP. Can normally get through that without any major problems but had to can it half way through interval 2. Just couldn’t get enough power and lungs tightened up again. Off to see the doctor on Thursday.

 

[cranky cyclist]

Maybe you will need an Abuterol (Salbutamol) inhaler before exercise.

 

[Don1]

just like froomie.....

 

[DavidCH]

I have suffered most of my life with asthma. I don't go out in cold damp air. If it's not so cold and dry I go riding with a tube type scarf that I roll up over my mouth and nose that makes me look a bit like a bank robber. It stops the cold air rushing down my throat. I certainly don't get my heart racing ... just go for a steady 132 BPM. I don't like ventolin but sometimes it's a no brainer. If that doesn't work use a nebulizer. If that doesn't work see a doctor for steroids. Asthma is a life threatening condition. Riding a recumbent in those cold conditions doesn't help... use a DF so the air doesn't hit you square on. Or there is the astronaut helmet with flip up visor.

If I haven't got ventolin, stop for coffee. Massage the pressure points along your collar bone and regulate your breathing. Don't try to fight it as you make it worse.

Mind over body wins for me.

 

[nobrakes]

@Don1 beat me to it. Team Sky here I come

Thanks for your advice @DavidCH. I'll take it easy until the doc can tell me what can be done. I've stolen my wife's inhaler in the meantime and it's helping a bit.

 

[Don1]

get a vendetta neck tube thingy... or not

 

[jond]

Emigrate to Australia the birthplace of cruzbike.

Seriously now listen to cranky.

Best wishes.

 

[bladderhead]

Mind over body

My asthma was too bad for that. Ventolin cured it immediately. What an amazing experience it was using that for the first time. I will never forget that. Only asthmatics know this feeling. Why is anyone talking about Froome? They have all been drugged up to the eyeballs since cycle racing was invented, and we are breaking the one rule that is always enforced - no funny "lying-down" bikes.