You don't have to inhale to ingest nicotine. It gets absorbed into the blood stream via the membranes of your mouth. One of the reasons why powdered snuff and chewing tobacco can be harder to kick than smokes.

Nicotine constricts blood vessels and raises BP.

Cigar smoke also contains carbon monoxide, and some other nasties like ammonia.

That being said, there's not really much risk from puffing on one occasionally. But many studies show that even one cigar a day can increase one's changes for mouth and throat cancers.

Stick to photography, forget the cigars: IMO

Brooding international man of mystery.

I always thought cigars were nasty, vile smelling things until I went to Cuba and was actually tried one. I enjoyed it and continued smoking until the end of the trip. Fortunately for me, the habit stayed there while I returned. That said, if I could get a Cuban Cohiba or Romeo y Julieta, I might be tempted again...

I can't see much risk to outweigh the sensual reward of enjoying an occasional quality cigar. That, compared to huffing a pack a day of cigarettes is like a Walmart Huffy compared to a custom Ti frame with Campy Record EPS.

You're all set if you ever get invited on a tweed ride. My wife keeps trying to get me to buy one like that.
Unlike yourself, I do have the chrome dome which needs to be protected.

Yes. I buy mine here. https://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm

That is a great pic. I love hats and have a bunch but none of them look particularly good on me. Hmm maybe it has something to do with me.

When I worked in Canada extensively in the 90's I made a habit of smuggling Cubans back to Texas. Cuban cigars, that is.

But I haven't had one in several years. The only time I do is when I go see my buddy/CPA who lives 100 miles away. He has a man cave off his garage where he stocks cigars and a collection of single malts.

Me on a cruise last year with a Cuban cigar.

[QUOTE=bruce19;15564559]Yes. I buy mine here. https://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm


They don't/can't sell Cubans

I have enjoyed cigars for about 15 years. I have a Cuban Client who brings me a dozen Cohibas every year. But the Dominicans and Honduras cigars are very flavorful. cigarbid.com is a great and fun bidding source for cigars. I think they are a great post-ride pleasure.

[QUOTE=Frankfast;15564906]
I know.

I used to have a cigar once in a while ... just on special occasions.

I've only had a cuban cigar once, though. Made me high as a kite, then nauseous. Ugh.

I smuggled a box of Cuban cigars back from Moscow once for a boss, using my Diplomatic passport no less. Ashamed...

Curtis,
I appreciate what you've done for 50+, and I really, really enjoy my 50+ jersey. Thank you. I won't suggest where you should draw the risk/reward line. I'm wary of any irritant entering my lungs..

When I ocassionally decide to risk my life, I go mountain biking with my old college roommate. Great pleasure and immediate reward combine with imminent peril. What could be better than that? Phil G.

Cigars and pipes used to smell great to me when I used to smoke but now all tobacco stinks. IMO The Old sayin holds true, 'Kissing a smoker is like licking an ash tray' Yuck...

I think my wife enjoys the earthy elements I bring to our relationship.

I was raised when men were men and women were grateful for it!

They are uncomfortable as saddles ..

only when I golf and fish.....and I seldom do those activities anymore

I always wondered at the high percentage of deer hunters who smoke. The upwind/downwind thing must be really important, since smoke is a double-danger sign to deer. And I can sometimes smell a smoker two cars ahead of me with all windows up. Either deer can't smell or else smoking hunters are killing their success rate.

Say what you will you cigar haters... one good thing about the cigars is that it isn't that easy to escalate to frequent cigar smoking because they are so wonderfully inconvenient. You can't sneak out to the parking lot at work for a quick cigar.

^This made me laugh aloud.

It is such "stupid" ludicrous thread: smoking whatever and bicycling don't mix

Why would any body fill their very fragile lungs with smoke?

Particularly knowing what we know today!

Aside from the fact that cigars, pipes, or cigarette smoke is dangerous and really stinks!

Come on, don't be shy. Tell us what you really think.

It is not what I think!

It is what WE know today with the great help of science.

Well, most cigar and pipe smokers don't inhale, but still, they're ingesting carbon monoxide, and CO bonds to red blood cells. I imagine that at least temporarily, it affects max oxygen uptake.