After smoking for 35 years, I quit 2 months ago. Still have the urge, sometimes I feel like I stopped 5 minutes ago, other times I don't think about it. I was riding 30 miles a day prior to quitting, but when I quit, I quit riding for some reason. I have a feeling it was due to the nice relaxing smoke after I finished my ride, so to avoid it, I stopped. This cost me a 20 pound weight gain
Now for the good news, after not riding for 2 months, I started again this past Monday. Not sure why, I pulled the bike out, washed and waxed it, aired up the tires, gave it a once over, and off I went. I am riding 10 miles a day, and to be honest, I don't feel I have more air than when I smoked.
At this stage it will take 3 months to start loosing the weight I gained, and not sure how long to get to 30+ miles again. For those that have smoked (Don't need the never smoked, never did, doesn't help me since I did), how long did it take before you notice more lung capacity?

Dale, it will be five years in November since I quit after smoking for over 35 years myself. I know what you mean about missing the smoke after the ride. The lung capacity will return over time but believe me you will soon be biking longer and further than you did in the past. Think of all the goodies for the bike that you can buy with the money you are saving. Quitting was probably one of the best things that you could do for yourself. I found the following site very helpful during the first six month of quitting.

https://www.whyquit.com/

My story is about like yours, except that I quit about 6 years ago. My lung capacity has improved a good bit over the years. I wish I could provide you with a timeline for improved lung capacity, but I can't. If you stay on the bike and away from the smokes, I'll hazard a guess and say that you should notice a good improvement in 6 months. Congratulations on quitting and getting back on the bike.

Smoked for about 25 years, been stopped for 12. Sorry to bear bad news, but never noticed any reduction in lung capacity while I was smoking, and never noticed any gain since I stopped. Still glad to be an ex-smoker, though.

As for getting back to riding > 30 miles, that took very little time. I got back on the bike after a gap of close to 15 years and was commuting c.16 miles (round trip 32 miles per day) within a couple of weeks. Initially I was only able to do that three days per week, but moved up the five pretty soon. Building distance is easy, it's trying to go faster that is hard.

The weight may have been more from the smoking cessation than the lack of riding. Quit sugar too and you may drop back to where you want to be. And think about the positives -- all that money you are saving by dumping the cigarettes can go toward N+1.

thanks for sharing. good luck. stay strong

Quitting smoking was one of the best things I ever did for myself....both times I did it! The last time was in 2005. As for losing the weight, you can't out train a bad diet so pay attention there and the weight will come off. Good luck.

Thank you all for the thoughts and suggestions. I will keep plugging ahead, and hopefully be able to do a century within a year.