gr@sshopper

Ok, so no fires near me, and I really wanna ride.

Am I risking long term damage, or just coughing up a lung? Lack of exercise makes me mean and nasty, so does lung disease.

DScott

Go. Have fun storming the castle!

OC Roadie

You wanna be the guinea pig?? Go for a ride, and tell us how your lungs are in the morning.

efficiency

I really would do it. During Cedar/Paradise fires of 2003, I played in a flag football game because the teams had already showed up and we thought, "Well, we might as well play." I totally regretted it. I felt like crap for an entire week. I don't know about long term damage, but you might end up being uncomfortable for a week, which isn't worth it.

EDIT: GAH! I mean, I really would NOT do it.

jschen

Fine particles that get deep in your lungs can effect a permanent and cumulative damage. Think aesbestos. (Or, for organic chemists, silica.) Not worth it to me.

rubic

As long as your local gym's air conditioning can filter the outside air, be a gym rat tonight.

urbanknight

Nope. I really want to ride too, but the cloud of smoke in the distance tells me I'd be stupid to try it yet. Hoping for Thursday, maybe Sat.

gr@sshopper

Well, went outside for the first time since 7:30 for 5 minutes. Not happening. Lungs hurt already. oh well.

merider1

DON'T DO IT!

Not that I, an individual with "moderately severe adult onset asthma - likely exacerbated by participating in endurance sports while out in less than healthly air conditions for several years prior to being diagnosed," really feels all that strongly about it or anything.

Don't be silly, GH. It's bad enough the crap we breathe in on a regular basis. The air right now is downright dangerous. Stay indoors, go to the gym or take it easy and drink a beer. But do not ride it the air outdoors, whatever you do.

rubic

We are all in the same situation. Rats!!

jschen

That's my plan!

OC Roadie

Damn, I'm gonna have a real dilemma when I pick up my new bike on Thursday. I'll have to look for my self control

redal

I just got back from riding from San Dimas to Claremont and back. I only had to do a zone 2 ride so I didn't have to breathe too deep. I feel fine. Of course, I'm not ashmatic.

ClanLee

I was scheduled to go mountain biking with a few friends after the sun went down. Throughout the day, I was checking the skies... by noon, the sky turned red due to the smoke, ash, etc floating in the sky. Needless to say, we canceled our ride for tonight. I think we'll wait until the fires die out and the air clears up.

Drew12

I realized that it may be a week or more until the air really clears enough to
go Mtb'ing.
So I took this as an opportunity to send my Fox Shox ( rear) in for rebuild to
Fox.
They said about a one week turn around, and should be good as new again!!
It was very tired after 6-7 years of use....

This will force me to not Mtb in this smoke.. But road riding..

hvdave2000

Here's a cool photo from NASA. Looks like depending on where you are there's a big difference in air quality. Here in Torrance we seem to be getting the plume from the arrowhead-bigbear region fires. The air seemed worse today than yesterday.

spingineer

I actually feel guilty about being able to ride, up here in the bay area ... so I have not ridden at all. I feel for you guys down there, and just hope that wind dies down long enough for the fires to be put out. I'll probably ride this weekend, but have you guys in mind.

jsigone

chill and enjoy teh recovery days, I know I am. My legs were pretty sore after the weekend. I'm sure it will clear up in teh next few days.

Drew12

the smoke out of the US is white/grey
the smoke out of Mexico is brown....

What's up with that???

tinrobot

Steam is white... perhaps it's that we're putting water on the fires and they're not.

There's also no fire icon there... perhaps it's just dust.

Drew12

HHmmmm...
seems unlikely, but I too am no expert...

spingineer

drug plants???? just a thought.

Chaco

Don't do it. Even with a mask. Stick with the gym until the air is clear. I know how you feel, 'cause I feel exactly the same way.

ovoleg

stop being a pansy and go for a ride,

how many doctors here? NONE, exactly.

No one here knows wtf they're talking about, yet you try and listen to them.

JUST GO RIDE!

yes

I rode 10 miles today near Claremont, but got a ride home. The air stung the eyes, and hurt the lungs a bit. The worst part, is that you don't really know what is in it. Just burning brush smoke is one thing but industrial crap burning could be much worse.