What a difference!!
I used my short-acting inhaler BEFORE my ride today, because it was a short ride (60 kms) ... one I dubbed, "The Tour of Ten Hills".
The hills were various shapes and sizes, and I made it up each and every one of them without having to walk. On a couple of them I was puffing quite a bit, but never had to cough. I felt great out there, and recovered quickly from all the climbs!! I could BREATHE!!
When I got home ... I was fine! Not a single cough!