Just back from a trip to the Sierra Navada range in Southern Spain. I borrowed a mountain bike and rode the mule tracks up around Mulhacen ,and eventually up the mountain itself ,walking the last 500ft to the summint 11,432 ft. I seemed to be out of breath most of the time, it seemed to take about 20 mins for me to get any sort of regular breathing going. Normally I live at 400ft above sea level in the north of Scotland,so I suppose I don't have great altitude aclimatisation,but I am begining to wonder if there could be an issue with my lung capacity.
Im sure quite a few of you chaps accross the pond live at high altitude,maybe Denver,or at least regularly cycle high mountain routes,whats your experience . Below a pic of the old bike I borrowed at 9,000 ft?