Road Cycling - Do I have a future in collegiate cycling?

Long story short, I have exercise induced asthma. I usually need to take a shot or two of albuterol before a ride. I'm not sure about NCAA rules, but i really want to join a college cyling team at UCLA or UCSD (provided i get into those schools).

What do you guys think?

If it is something you love, why not.. anything can happen. I'm not one to down someones dreams.

I forget who it was, but some famous British athlete from the 80s had asthma and it didn't affect him one bit (not so you'd notice anyway). For some reason I'm thinking Seb Coe or Steve Cram but I'm pretty sure it wasn't either of them.

I forget who it was, but some famous British athlete from the 80s had asthma and it didn't affect him one bit (not so you'd notice anyway). For some reason I'm thinking Seb Coe or Steve Cram but I'm pretty sure it wasn't either of them.

It probably wasnt sports induced.

Just ride and see how your fitness level compares to others.
I have it and my endurance really sucks (not necessarily because of it though).

I think you guys misunderstand me...

Although i'm pretty sure i will never climb into the upper echelons of the sport, I was wondering more if NCAA rules specifically prohibit any sort of drugs- in this case it would be my asthma inhaler. I use it before I ride, as a preventive sort of thing. When I have it, I feel pretty normal and i keep up with most of my roadie friends. However, without it, i'm pretty useless. I wheeze and gasp up hills. I don't get sudden attacks or anything like that though.

So i'm not really concerned if the asthma will limit my overall potential because I really don't think i'll ever be at the level where that will matter, but rather if I would ever be allowed to race at the college level with my asthma inhaler. I wasn't able to find out on their website.

Thanks.

Well unless your racing Div 1/A or are a top contender at a National level event or the likes I doubt they'll really care, so basically do it, if they *****, keep racing and let them deal. I run and bike for a DIII school the only time you even hear mention of drug tests beyond signing the initial forms is if you make it into Nationals and then it becomes 'random' or non-existant...

Prior yo becoming fat, lazy and employed, I raced cat A in collegiate cycling (Cat 2 USCF). I, too, need to take a shot of albuterol before hard workouts because of my asthma. You do not have to worry about being drug tested. I am not sure if there are any rules regarding prescription medications, but I can guarantee you that you will not be tested. Cycling is not a NCAA sport. The NCCA (National Collegiate Cyling Conference) has no reason to spend their precious little money on drug testing.

Don't worry about it, Asthma medications are not the "performance enhancing" drugs made famous in the olympics or Tour de France. If you start racing internationally or become at USCF cat 1, then seek advice from someone who really knows.

I think asthma drugs can be taken with a doctor's note stating that you do indeed need the medication. Same with insulin. Some things, like amphetamines, you won't be allowed to use doctor's note or not.

You might be tested if you won collegiate nationals or something and it's still very unlikely that they would test.

Half the pro peleton is asthmatic, or at least they have a doctors prescription for bhroncial dialators. I read somewhere that 3% of the U.S. population has exercised induced asthma, yet 60% of the olympic team "has it" and a prescription to deal with it.

Half the pro peleton is asthmatic, or at least they have a doctors prescription for bhroncial dialators. I read somewhere that 3% of the U.S. population has exercised induced asthma, yet 60% of the olympic team "has it" and a prescription to deal with it.

Yeah, but how much of the US population exercises? ;)

In the original poster's case, it's neither unethical or illegal.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice, I just didn't want to train all spring and summer only to get let down when i go to college next year.

For some reason I thought they had a zero tolerance policy towards any kind of drugs? Oh well, this is good news, thanks!

Well they most likely do have a zero-tolerance policy however testing for it is another story entirely

I dont know about NCAA, but in last years TDF I heard them talking how several riders developed asthma and bronchitous and were on prescription meds. So if you are under Drs. supervision and the drugs are prescribed I would think all would be legal, tho asthma meds are basically steroids they are controlled and Dr prescribed.
Did you try calling a college and asking the sports dept?
Good Luck :D

Another thing to check out is whether the team is NCAA or not. I used to ride in college and our team was not technically NCAA and therefore did not have to abide by their rules. We raced solely as a club and that did not interfere with anything. We even placed in the top at nationals several years.