CherryBomb

I smoked 2-3 packs a day for about 18 years and quit over 20 years ago. Instead of cycling, I took up running as my exercise of choice mainly because it was inexpensive to get started and it certainly wasnt time consuming. I could barely run 1/4 mile in the beginning. Two years later I ran my first marathon. I will aways be amazed at the body's healing power and its ability to adapt. I still run, but now cycling is my primary exercise. I like doing endurance races...12 to 24 hours..and I cant imagine doing those as a smoker. Congrats on quitting, and yes, it does get better.

cuda2k

Congrats Kevin as well as the OP and everyone who's quit the habit. My father quit before I was born and I can't stand the smell of any type of smoke myself. Kevin, let me know when you usually ride and I'll try to get out that way to join you in the spring (when it warms up a bit) I want to be sure to be near 160 by early May!

Gogocld

Thanks to the bike, 15 months and counting. I used to be a pretty serious smoker 1-1.5 packs a day. I feel better everyday, especially since Seattle passed the smoking ban. Now I'm second hand smoke free! Sweet.

blueeyedme

I have never smoked in my 45 years - both my parents did when I was growing up and that was enough for me - fortunatly they both quit some 20 years ago. Congrats to all of you who have kicked the habit. I did see a funny thing yesterday morning on my ride in - another bike commuter - riding with a cig hanging from his mouth. - I can't imagine.

lgp927

This thanksgiving will be a year for me, I quit because of my rididng I can ride a century at a decent pace 18-19mph , I can do crazy ass climbing rides , still breathe hard and HB is high but I just keep pushing myself .

seanpatrick76

I quit 2 years ago (at 35) after 19 years of smoking. My lung function has improved by leaps and bounds. Hills used to leave my lungs burning for minutes after a hard climb - but that's completely gone. I DO miss the looks of horror on long distance rides from people with whom I wasn't acquainted when I'd light up during our first pit stop , but other than that it's been a brilliant decision.

doctor j

I quit around seven years ago after probably 30 years of smoking. I'm a cyclist and a choir boy. My wind for both endeavors is much better than it was, and I'm not coughing all the time as I did before I quit. Hills still get to me, and I huff and puff while climbing. I make it up the hills, but on the long/steep ones, I'm really breathing hard.

Taqi

He always struggled to finish a tour.



These guys did ok though.

wedgeSG

I realized that I needed to get off the couch and quit being so lacking in physical activity as I neared 50 years old. I got my old Puch outta the attic and started riding it again. At this time I was smoking about 1.5 packs a day and had been a smoker since high school. I was still smoking while on the bike...riding on the bike. This had to look pretty strange to others on the MUP. Something happened though, I rediscovered the joy of cycling. Before long anything I could do to enhance that experience was priority one. Cigarettes were dropped almost instantly after 32 years. No amount of spouse pleading, friends dying, patches, lozenges, or anything else had made me seriously have the desire to really distance myself from smoking. It took two wheels and the wind in what's left of my hair, to make me realize I was on to an alternative that wasn't only going to extend my life and health; but also one that I had been, and now was again in love with. Shortly after knowing in my own soul that this was for real this time...I bought a new bike. I found the bike that spoke to me, the bike that I couldn't get out of my head from the day I first laid eyes on it. It was beyond my budget, (way beyond), I justified it as an investment in my health, probably the last bike I'll ever own, cheaper than the inevitable hospital bills, and not having to deal with the regret of the one that got away. Call it a reward. I've been smoke free, (ok, I did slip a few times), for over a year now. Within 3 months, morning smoker's cough is gone. The wife likes kissing me again. I don't constantly worry about where the pack is, or did I leave one smoldering somewhere. I feel better physically, (which I didn't really expect). I can cope without having to light up to chill out. Life is gooder than it's been in quite some time. Starting cycling last fall, and building toward extended rides over the spring and early summer...I really can't wait for the start of the next pedaling season as a new revitalized and excited pair of cyclists. Like we were when we were dating; riding a pair of matching black Puchs.

Lazyass

Out of curiosity, after you former smokers quit did you realize what you used to smell like? Not trying to be smart, just wondering. One of the most revolting things to me is having a smoker talk to me up close after they've put a breath mint or something in their mouth because they think it hides the smell, or cover themselves in cologne or perfume to hide the stench. And if they smoke inside their car or house, OMG the smell hits me like a wall. But they don't seem to notice it.

Vicegrip

smoking deadens the sense of smell quite a bit.

Good back from the dead thread. How many that posted in 2005 are still here still riding and not smoking?

I smoked for a while in my misspent youth but figured out it was stupid and not "cool" Was hard to quit for axlittle while but I got through it by telling myself every day not smoking put me further away from needing to smoke and even one cigg would reset everything back to 0. My MIL smoked all her life and died of lung cancer knowing that her smoking caused her untimely death. I cannot fathom what this must have felt like for her. Her loss was heartbreaking to those around her. She told me that she was worried that my 2 kids would not remember her.

Smoking is about as dumb as dumb a thing as you can do. No positive lots of negitive and you simply look and smell like a Corp sale pitched addicted sucker for it.

A good friend of mine got into cycling after seeing how much fun I was having with it. He smoked for almost 40 years and cycling was the tipping point that helped him quit.

If you smoke, quit. You and everyone around you will be better off for it.

seypat

I was waiting for his name to come up.




Luckily, I never picked up a tobacco habit. I smoked a cigar once, but never tried a cigarette. The first dip I tried was Copenhagen and it was burning my lip hard! So that was my last dip also. Kudos to those that can quit and those that are trying.

BoSoxYacht

lots of sprinters struggle to finish grand tours.

diphthong

congrats to everyone that has smoked and quit-whether cycling induced or not. unfortunately, you may have unwittingly picked up another dangerous habit.
upgraditis. those furtive glances at the shop windows of the local bike store or resisting the temptation to click on the website/link...

ussprinceton

quit for about 2 weeks, then started again

dalava

You've done the hard part, but as an ex-smoker myself (>25 yrs, quit 10 years ago), the temptation will always be there. I still try to avoid situations that could cause relapse; thank God smoking is banned in most public places including bars and restaurants.

Smoking and cycling are not mutually exclusive. I did that for years, and actually had smoke breaks during long rides. It's hard to imagine now.

I noticed gradual improvement since quitting 10 years ago, but had to battle weight increase first. 10 years on, I can't say I am a better cyclist than I was back then I was still smoking, but I was a lot younger too. But at least I am not deliberately sabotaging my own efforts.

c_bake

I joined in 2006 and was a non-smoker for about 6 months at that time.

I smoked at least 1 pack a day from the age of 18-35. I can remember being out of breath walking upstairs in my home. In 2004 I watched my Father die of lung cancer at the age of 62. He was a life long smoker. Before he died he told me his biggest regret was smoking.

Shortly after his death, I changed. I bought a cheap MTB at a garage sale and rode the MUPs around Denver. Then I bought a Trek 1000 but I still smoked a bit. I eventually quit by 2006 and really got into road cycling. Many miles and upgrades later, at the age of 44, I average 11K miles a year and participate in long endurance events and am involved in a local cycling club.

Cycling is a major part of my life. It literally changed and saved my life, I truly believe that. They say that kicking a smoking habit is just as hard as kicking Heroin. So to those of you who are choosing to be a non-smoker, stay strong because you can do it and when you do, you will feel the best you ever have.

My kids are grown and I'm no longer married but one thing is always there for me. Cycling and I will never give it up.

BillyD

Yours truly, that's who. Thankyouverymuch.

lgp927

1 year 4 months here since I quit becuase of my riding , feeling great still need more miles to get the lounges on tip top shape best thing ever

TakingMyTime

2 packs a day, quit 20 years ago, never looked back. Being an ex-smoker I never preach to smokers. You'll know when it's your time to quit.

Lazyass

I was a drill sergeant for three years during my Army career. The transformation I saw in some of those kids in 9 weeks was pretty crazy. Of course they couldn't smoke cancer sticks. Had one guy lose over 120lbs, he set the record for me. His skin was hanging off, it was actually kind of gross haha

metz1295

In my 47 yrs (tomorrow), I've never smoked a cigarette. With that, all these testimonials are inspiring. Just as much to us non-smokers as they are to other smokers and former smokers. Keep up the good work.

Now, the OP said he quit 2 years ago and smoked 3/4 a pack a day. I'm in Ohio, at $6/pack over 2 years, you've saved over $3200. I don't know what you're riding now, but that will get you one helluva nice bike. Go treat yourself.

calyco

Good on you man. I smoked since JHS, 33 now and I do about half a pack a day. I am on my way there. Riding naturally makes me not want to smoke because of all the fresh air you get and how great you feel, plus I want to up my endurance. Hope to get there soon myself!