Doesn’t surprise me one bit. There’s a chicken-and-the-egg problem here, as well: Do they develop asthma as a result of intense exercise, or are elite endurance athletes more likely to show symptoms?

A lot of junior athletes start out because their doc sent them exercising to help their asthma. My girlfriend ran Track and XC in highschool, and a lot of her teammates and rivals started for those reasons. Maybe there’s even a hidden “hypoxic training” bonus involved if you grow up with restricted airways?

Another factor could be the fact that a highly-trained endurance athlete can actually hold an effort where lung capacity becomes the limiter – and that could show symptoms that would otherwise remain hidden.

On the other hand, long and hard training in dry air (or chlorinated – the study also looked at swimmers) could cause an otherwise healthy individual to develop symptoms.

All I know is that in my N=1 case, I was completely asymptomatic until I started exercising intensely. I still don’t consider myself an asthmatic, but after a long dry ride it’s often difficult for me to breathe deeply, and sometimes just breathing can be painful after efforts.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/28/asthma-elite-athletes-study-swimmers-cyclist-eid

Velominati › Asthmatics

I haven’t won the lottery in like 43 years! WTF?

I had a bit of asthma as a kid. I don’t know if you out grow it or not. I did develop an allergy to lead and explosions later in life. As a young private on my junior leadership course, I had a Sgt that didn’t know he had pneumonia and he ran us into the ground one night in the cold winter rain for being …well young privates. His lung collapsed but he bounced back after losing it. He did cut down to 2 packs a day. That helped.

I weighed 140 once. I was in grade school. I think that being Jan-like in the off season is completely natural. Coke, E, beer, crazy parties. I just draw the line at Rapha. As The Badger once said, “Who gives a shit how you ride in April. July is what matters, so slow the fuck down.”

If someone is giving away free Rapha, please don’t send any my way.

It’s all about April. That’s why he never won De Ronde.

I weighed 140 once. I was in grade school. I think that being Jan-like in the off season is completely natural. Coke, E, beer, crazy parties. I just draw the line at Rapha. As The Badger once said, “Who gives a shit how you ride in April. July is what matters, so slow the fuck down.”

I love those stories about him yelling at his team who were not fat and out of shape. Theories are spun that Hinault had so much knee trouble because he had so much work to do to catch up in the Pre-Season, and grinding so hard on big gears when he was overweight.

Can’t believe no one has mentioned that red shorts guy looks like Robert Picardo.

@DCR

The fact that the shirts in the “closet” look to be different sizes and still have tags would lead me to believe that this is a store front for rapha or another cycling shop.

Not to mention that not even a Rapha sponsored rider would get 6+ copies of each product/color the company makes, or be willing to decorate their home exclusively with Rapha prints…

For the record, I think Jan looks pretty baller in the Rapha get up.

With the exception of the YJA, completely agree.

I had a bit of asthma as a kid. I don’t know if you out grow it or not. I did develop an allergy to lead and explosions later in life. As a young private on my junior leadership course, I had a Sgt that didn’t know he had pneumonia and he ran us into the ground one night in the cold winter rain for being …well young privates. His lung collapsed but he bounced back after losing it. He did cut down to 2 packs a day. That helped.

I weighed 140 once. I was in grade school. I think that being Jan-like in the off season is completely natural. Coke, E, beer, crazy parties. I just draw the line at Rapha. As The Badger once said, “Who gives a shit how you ride in April. July is what matters, so slow the fuck down.”

If someone is giving away free Rapha, please don’t send any my way.

@scaler911

@xyxax

@VeloSix

@scaler911

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those. I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

Spleenless? Those f*ckers weigh like 1-2 kg. This is performance-enhancing organ removal. Please return your Olympics bronze medal.

Ha! Maybe I should get a spleenectomy and lose one kidney, a ball and an eye. Seems better than giving up beer to lose weight.

I’ve dropped an appendix and a kidney, but it didn’t do me any good.

I am in the same boat on the appendix side. I can’t seem to drop below 140. Anyone on here in need of some organs? Willing to barter for rapha kit and beautiful Italian steel!

@Optimiste

On further analysis of the lead photo, I have to comment on some other characters besides Richard Simmons’ balding half-brother in the red shorts.

In the lower-right, I never imagined a cast member of “Jersey Shore” would be interested in the Tour, let alone make the journey to watch in-person.

Toward the back-left, the man wearing what seems to be a scoutmaster’s hat: although disturbing, he’s clearly staring at Jan’s arse.

But most intriguing is the girl in front of the RV. I can’t tell if her detached expression is due to a general disinterest in cycling (unlikely considering the context, unless she’s a VMW), or if she is simply resigned to the fact she has to wear loaves of bread for shoes.

Hm. This analysis requires a re-posting.

Red-shorts Guy is possibly more awesome than Jan. Just on a Passion-to-Visual model, he’s ahead. Although it goes without saying Jan is in the pain cave more than Red Shorts, Red Shorts is obviously feeling it more. Thats worth some points. I declare a draw.

I am certain I photographed Mick Rogers racing the same day, but I’m surprised to see him spectating just to RS’s right.

And I had no idea Tiger Woods was a fan of cycling back in 2003.

Or that Pippo Pozzato and Tiger were so close.

@razmaspaz

@Nate

@DCR Offer good for Ron-level Rapha-hating only!

I’m going to start working vitriolic anti-Colnago language into every post I write in the hopes that one day a vintage steel frame will show up on my doorstep without explanation.

Perhaps I’ll just declare my general hatred of bicycles, cycling attire, and other velo-related periphery/equipment and cover all my bases.

Hmmm, you have Rapha kit and a Rapha sticker on your bike.  In fact, your bike is a Colnago.  Magic 8 Ball says you are out of luck!

@Nate

@DCR Offer good for Ron-level Rapha-hating only!

I’m going to start working vitriolic anti-Colnago language into every post I write in the hopes that one day a vintage steel frame will show up on my doorstep without explanation.

Perhaps I’ll just declare my general hatred of bicycles, cycling attire, and other velo-related periphery/equipment and cover all my bases.

I read some time ago that 80% of Pro Cyclists are diagnosed asthmatics who hold a prescription for an inhaler.  

Surely this isn’t true?  That this select population is 80% afflicted can’t be coincidence.  Good luck cleaning that up!

@xyxax

@VeloSix

@scaler911

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those. I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

Spleenless? Those f*ckers weigh like 1-2 kg. This is performance-enhancing organ removal. Please return your Olympics bronze medal.

Ha! Maybe I should get a spleenectomy and lose one kidney, a ball and an eye. Seems better than giving up beer to lose weight.

I’ve dropped an appendix and a kidney, but it didn’t do me any good.

@VeloSix

@scaler911

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those. I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

Spleenless? Those f*ckers weigh like 1-2 kg. This is performance-enhancing organ removal. Please return your Olympics bronze medal.

That’s fucking hilarious!!!

@Nate

@DCR Offer good for Ron-level Rapha-hating only!

Yes! My cynicism has finally paid off! Thank you, Nate. What is the California Powerball up to?

No one is winning so the jackpot is growing.  You might get a whole house full of Rapha.

Not to mention that not even a Rapha sponsored rider would get 6+ copies of each product/color the company makes, or be willing to decorate their home exclusively with Rapha prints…

Or maybe he’s planning ahead for his always changing waistline.

For the record, I think Jan looks pretty baller in the Rapha get up.

Yes, yes he does.

@DCR Offer good for Ron-level Rapha-hating only!

Yes! My cynicism has finally paid off! Thank you, Nate. What is the California Powerball up to?

The fact that the shirts in the “closet” look to be different sizes and still have tags would lead me to believe that this is a store front for rapha or another cycling shop.

Not to mention that not even a Rapha sponsored rider would get 6+ copies of each product/color the company makes, or be willing to decorate their home exclusively with Rapha prints…

For the record, I think Jan looks pretty baller in the Rapha get up.

My recent bout of chest/sinus came after a 400km week, probably nothing for some, but the biggest for me in my build up. @scaler911 and @frank you have both also experienced walking the tightrope, and where you are really on form, sickness beckons. A while ago someone also suggested they had a safe body weight, where if they dipped below, they would get sick (may have even been you scaler).

I read some interesting research lately on this topic. One indicated you are more susceptible to infection/ have a reduced immunity for up to 48 hours after a severe physical effort. I reason your immune system is too busy trying to fix the fucking that you did to your muscles and organs. Fuck knows how badly guzzling carbs on the bike (probably another whole article) to maintain performance affects your internals trying to filter that shit out and put it where it’s needed, it just ain’t natural.. We’re basically putting our bodies in hyperdrive, easy to see why they might run low afterwards.

Another piece suggested rapid weight loss also impacts your immunity, your body is almost in shock trying to deal with the loss of nutrition (or lack of beer and frites), as well as increased training load as above.

A third dealt with blood glucose and how wild fluctuations again affect immunity. This is significant as riding, particularly without refuelling, drains stores significantly and then we refill afterwards, starve gorge, starve gorge.

And the final was that people have an optimal body fat percentage, which acts as a buffer in the starve phases of training, otherwise your immune system is shocked trying to deal with the lack of fat to cannabilise when the glucose runs out.

Having asthma (weaker lungs), dropping 3kg in 3 weeks, a 400km week and a toddler with a cold. The perfect shit storm…

@DCR Offer good for Ron-level Rapha-hating only!

I’m going to start working vitriolic anti-Colnago language into every post I write in the hopes that one day a vintage steel frame will show up on my doorstep without explanation.

@Ron Ron, when I win the lottery I am going to send you some Rapha kit to see what happens when you put it on.

Go ahead and add me to the mailing list.

@Chris

For all the Jan love going on here it’s clear that he hasn’t read the rules.

I’m curious why you see this as a violation. Seems one could go Rule #9 style on this, and say, “if you are featured in a photo shoot with your closet full of sponsor gear, it means you are a badass. Period.” Or “If you are Jan, it means you are a badass. Period.”

I’m not sure what explicit violations you are calling him out for, but selling out, without looking like you’re selling out seems the essence of being pro.

That said, it is pretty lame to show off your closet full of brand new kit that you haven’t even bothered to take the tags off of. And I might have put some single malt in that glass, and made an effort to hide the random wires on the wall. O.K., you’re right, he’s a douche.

The fact that the shirts in the “closet” look to be different sizes and still have tags would lead me to believe that this is a store front for rapha or another cycling shop. And if I am getting paid to wear their cycling gear I would gladly violate the rules. Such as wearing a vest/sleeveless jersey. And minus the lime green vest I find that kit to be a tasteful option.

@unverso  I’ m convinced mine came to the fore after bring hit by a pick up truck on the bike in late 2004. Broken ribs and fractured vertebrae meant weeks of very shallow breathing. By Christmas I was floored by some bacterial chesty/ pneumonia like infection that lasted for quite a while. The next 18 months were filled with repeat chest infections. The Docs weren’t convinced it was the RTA so neither did the insurance company when they settled. I know how I was before and how I am after. One of the many good things about Scotland – free prescriptions.

It’s all marginal gains, right? Like opting for an aero seat post clamp.  Do you think LA really had the big C? No, PEOR pure and simple.

PS: I think you have the makings of an unusual beer marketing campaign.  Get your people on that.

For all the Jan love going on here it’s clear that he hasn’t read the rules.

I’m curious why you see this as a violation.  Seems one could go Rule #9 style on this, and say, “if you are featured in a photo shoot with your closet full of sponsor gear, it means you are a badass. Period.”  Or “If you are Jan, it means you are a badass. Period.”

I’m not sure what explicit violations you are calling him out for, but selling out, without looking like you’re selling out seems the essence of being pro.

That said, it is pretty lame to show off your closet full of brand new kit that you haven’t even bothered to take the tags off of.  And I might have put some single malt in that glass, and made an effort to hide the random wires on the wall.  O.K., you’re right, he’s a douche.

@VeloSix

@scaler911

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those. I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

Spleenless? Those f*ckers weigh like 1-2 kg. This is performance-enhancing organ removal. Please return your Olympics bronze medal.

Ha! Maybe I should get a spleenectomy and lose one kidney, a ball and an eye. Seems better than giving up beer to lose weight.

@scaler911

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those. I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

Spleenless?  Those f*ckers weigh like 1-2 kg.  This is performance-enhancing organ removal.  Please return your Olympics bronze medal.

Damn, black & celeste. Great color combination, nearly as slick as pink & black. Ah, Italian style!

Jan in Rapha? That’s a disappointment. Fuck those guys. You mean, he hasn’t read the Rules and realized it’s all about true passion and where a simple machine can take your mind & spirit, not some duplicitous marketing aimed at stirring a false sense of spirit and love for riding bicycles?

@VeloSix Do what works, but sniffing will probably maintain/make your infections worse, especially the sinuses, snot-rocket that shit… Sinus infections are fucked…. To equalise, try the swallowing or yawning technique divers use…

I wish it were that easy.  Believe it or not, swallowing induces the change in pressure that creates the “bubble” that is in my ears.  Yawning and tugging on my ear lobe like some padded room resident tends to jostle the fluid around and provide some relief, but the sniffing (not to be confuse with snorting a runny nose) has the best effect while hand are on the hoods.  (provided its not a bad day, and the soreness builds and builds and culminates with an ear infection)  This year I had to back off the intensity in October, and went through two rounds of antibiotics trying to rid my skull of one of my worst ear infections I can remember.

I’m going to start allergy shots ASAP.  I live in the number 3 city in the US for allergies, and refuse to suffer this same set back next October!

I take a small list of vaccines on account of being spleenless, and pneumonia is one of those.  I had it once as a kid, and not having the infection fighting organ any more, just the word pneumonia makes me tremble.

@VeloSix

Wow!! 80%?? While I don’t claim to be asthmatic, I’ve had a handful of attacks as a result of season allergies, which when severe, trigger a tight chest, shortness of breath. I’ve never experienced this in the saddle, and could imagine the panic I might feel.

If you haven’t experienced this in the saddle – even without being asthmatic, you’re not trying hard enough!

My only asthma reactions have been the feeling of a very fat man sitting on my chest, and would show itself at night, during my most unfit out of shape state, and during the peak of fall allergies.  Once while mowing the lawn as a kid.

My starvation of oxygen in the saddle has never encountered that same sensation.  Although I’d have to point out my attempt to reach the tops of climbs prior to everyone else have certainly induced some near hyperventilating, as well as a few club training ride sprints.  My lungs might disagree, and argue I’m trying to ruin them.

I had “walking” pneumonia about three years ago.  Despite the name I could barely get out of bed.  A least I did not have to be hospitalized.  And, I got an awesome inhaler out of it.  This led to fantasies about the performance-enhancing effects said inhaler might have on my cycling.  I promptly forgot about it.  I wonder if it’s still tucked away in the medicine cabinet somewhere.

@DerHoggz

@DCR

Just skimming the thread, no clue why you posted that but those are hands down the best looking shoes available.

It was in response to @frank about my avatar. I do love those shoes. For anyone interested they are the Rapha/giro Grand tour shoes. Being rapha you can imagine the cost though!

I had surmised they were ballet slippers. I was wrong. They are glorious. Strong work on the SunTour cap; I love them more than Campa, mostly because I can’t prove how rad they were.

On further analysis of the lead photo, I have to comment on some other characters besides Richard Simmons’ balding half-brother in the red shorts.

In the lower-right, I never imagined a cast member of “Jersey Shore” would be interested in the Tour, let alone make the journey to watch in-person.

Toward the back-left, the man wearing what seems to be a scoutmaster’s hat: although disturbing, he’s clearly staring at Jan’s arse.

But most intriguing is the girl in front of the RV. I can’t tell if her detached expression is due to a general disinterest in cycling (unlikely considering the context, unless she’s a VMW), or if she is simply resigned to the fact she has to wear loaves of bread for shoes.

Hm. This analysis requires a re-posting.

Red-shorts Guy is possibly more awesome than Jan. Just on a Passion-to-Visual model, he’s ahead. Although it goes without saying Jan is in the pain cave more than Red Shorts, Red Shorts is obviously feeling it more. Thats worth some points. I declare a draw.

I am certain I photographed Mick Rogers racing the same day, but I’m surprised to see him spectating just to RS’s right.

And I had no idea Tiger Woods was a fan of cycling back in 2003.

If you know or suspect that certain allergens lead to asthma attacks, or if you just have allergies, it might be really helpful to consult an allergist.

Also, I borrowed a friend’s inhaler in 12th grade to bed down an attack. I didn’t realize hers can cause hallucinations and I spent the next 12 weeks in a wheelchair after falling out of bed.

I hope you and she were on the very best of terms.

Twelve weeks?  Jesus H. Merckx. I never suffered like that for my hallucinations.

@DCR

Just skimming the thread, no clue why you posted that but those are hands down the best looking shoes available.

It was in response to @frank about my avatar. I do love those shoes. For anyone interested they are the Rapha/giro Grand tour shoes. Being rapha you can imagine the cost though!

Just skimming the thread, no clue why you posted that but those are hands down the best looking shoes available.

@Optimiste

Fantastic picture of Der Kaiser (in particular because of the spectator in the red running shorts). The stare up the road, the bike, the kit. I remember watching that Tour and thinking how understated his kit seemed. It looks even better now.

Fixed your post….

Absolutely right.  Thank you.  It took a second look and a follow-up analysis of the photo to see my mistake.

And thanks for your personal accounts of that Tour.  You on his ITT bike: how cool is that?

It is like training at altitude. But at the altitude where you do more harm than good. Like the proverbial “Death Zone” in mountaineering. I tried to go skiing in Jackson when I had it. No good. No good at all.

Dude! Pneumonia and losing a spleen are 2 very different things. I’ll take the former for sure. I was in a crash for the “final sprint” once and went down hard. I got knocked out, lost 2 teeth and a lot of skin. I was the lucky one. The guy right behind me punctured a lung and lost a spleen. 23 years later, people still talk about that crash.

@DeKerr

I’m pretty sure Merckx’s ball sack sweat would have cost less when I got the bill for that treatment.

@Beers

Ya. I’ve had it 4 times now, and like Frank mentioned above, it’s almost always been when I’ve been in fantastic shape. There’s a ‘weight limit’ I’ve discovered that if I cross, I’m super fast for a few days, then *bam* I’m in bed with a fever and gnarly cough.

@frank

Wow. I wonder what was in that inhaler. 24 years in medicine, and I’ve never heard of someone passing out from hitting one too much. Mrs. Scaler’s grand folk were hardcore smokers. The type that would light a new fag (see what I did there?) with the one they were finishing. About twice per cig, they’d hit the ventolin for a couple puffs. Never seen anything like it.

@unversio

I’m currently haggling for a ’99 Bianchi Veloce on Craigs List (of assholes trying to make too much money off stuff). I’ll keep an eye out for what you’re after.

@DCR

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

The VMH‘s is a 53. It is not for sale. (At least I don’t think so!) Bianchi’s have short top tubes if you’re a monkey like I am.

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

I’m just gonna go ahead and suggest, based 100% on your avatar being a pair of shoes, that not just for the Asthma am I more compliant than you are. Just sayin’.

Those would be an old set of white leather cycling shoes with a suntour cycling cap. I sure hope you aren’t assuming I am a runner by any means. I do admit to attempting running in the past and it has only affirmed my detest of the sport.

@frank

@DCR

@unversio

@DCR

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

Promessa. Will unturn the frame to admire it “” protect the full integrity of the frameset “” and then find a demanding new owner to ride it.

I have a campa record groupo waiting for a classic frame to grace. Ebay/craigslist hunting has been in full swing for the last week.

How big are you? I have a frame suitable for the right purpose.

I am 5’9″ with roughly a 32/33″ inseam. I feel comfortable on most frames in the 53-55 range.

I have a vivid memory of my father dropping me off at the shops one night about 25years ago. I noticed he was wheezing and offered him my inhaler. He told me he’d had the attack for two days now but he was fine and it wasn’t getting any worse. I thought that strange but went my way. That night, I slept soundly in my bed as my mother finally convinced my father come with her to the hospital for treatment. With about 3min left to get to the hospital mum tells me she saw him sort of leap/jump a little out of the seat. His heart had stopped. They revived him in at the Hospital and he was on pure Oxygen for days. He was “clinically dead” for several minutes. The following night I got to go and see him in the ECU. I remember touching his wrist and the skin why dry and felt like popping candy does in your mouth. Mum explained due to the amount of O2 he was on, it leaches out of his blood, though the skin but get’s trapped under the dead outter layer. Touching him pops the bubbles. The medicines they put him on to “cure” the effects from his brush with death have given him some serious other problems. Today, he is mear shadow of himself with medial issues up the wazoo such as Adisons Disease, and Osteperosis. His body does heal very well with a cut taking months to heal. I really has screwed his entire life from that night on, his quality of live is greatly reduced today and I am convinced he will die many years before his time.

I’ve never been caviliear about an attack since. Despite that, I’m ashamed to say, but I have, at times messed with my preventer even once thinking I was cured and going off it for months. I wasn’t, apprently the effects of the preventer can take weeks to wear off. I’m glad for this artical to relive that night and remind me not to screw with astma.

@VeloSix Do what works, but sniffing will probably maintain/make your infections worse, especially the sinuses, snot-rocket that shit… Sinus infections are fucked…. To equalise, try the swallowing or yawning technique divers use…

There was an additional section of my highschool called The Annex where all the classes no one liked were held. Like Math. And Physics. You had to commit to those classes and really fucking care. I loved them. So you could get out and be awesome. You had to care, so you could get through and be more badass at the other end.

Same goes for the phlegm. That’s a special ward of Awesome that you should be proud to be a part of, but make every effort to fucking jettison.

@scaler911 I don’t envy you. A relation was in hospital with pneumonia, looked like death, months on and still some days can’t do anything as too weak… Pneumonia is fucked…

I guess with the restriction of airways, it must be like constantly training at altitude…

Nail, head, you’re welcome.

So far I have only raced with the club but will be doing some open races next year and someone suggested I check my Astma medicinces are ok with ASADA which I did. Both mine, Ventolin (what you call an emergency inhaler and is a brochial steroid) and Qvar (the daily dosed preventer) came back with ok for Oral use but with conditions. I rang ASADA and they told me the condition is maximum 16 pufs a day! 16!! As a kid I used one of those “spacers” that is a camber you puff the inhaler into and then breath it in at your leisure. Once I puffed that ventolin as much as I dared (could have been 16) and then breathed it in… I passed out (sorta) fell over and had the shakes for an hour or so. Good times, but wont be trying that in a race anytime soon.

@unversio

@DCR

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

Promessa. Will unturn the frame to admire it “” protect the full integrity of the frameset “” and then find a demanding new owner to ride it.

I have a campa record groupo waiting for a classic frame to grace. Ebay/craigslist hunting has been in full swing for the last week.

How big are you? I have a frame suitable for the right purpose.

@DeKerr

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

Many photos when you find it please. Merckxdamn that is a fine looking ride and kit. The kind that shouldn’t be sullied by a matching helmet – only a cap at the most.

Agreed.

I will have to dig into the kit bins; I have all of it – I was on a full Bianchi kick inspired by my (our) hero Ullrich and had the Team Kit.

I wore it in my bedroom only, of course, never on the road. That would be sacrilege.

@scaler911 wait… I’m confused… your PCP (primary care physician I assume) squeezed some of the sacred sweat from Merckx’s chamois and it cured your pneumonia?

+1 badge to you. Also an collective “ish”.

And another. I love the variety of the articles here. I was diagnosed with asthma in 2006 at age 42. For a couple of years I refused to believe or accept it and my new found breathing difficulty was simply because I wasn’t fit enough.

I have found that through training I can control it very well. Like controlling illness, though, I find that when I’m medium-fit, I’m most resistant to getting sick and to asthma attacks. When I get close to peaking, I start to be very prone to both conditions. Funny how your body starts to walk the knife’s edge.

But no matter my fitness, there are triggers that will set me off, pine jizz being the primary one. There is not degree of fitness that will keep that at bay; it is a response to some crap my body hates. Period.

Only after 2 trips to A&E within a year because I had to force a breath in did I stick to my daily preventer inhaler regime. I remember my boss dropping dead because of an asthma attack in the 80″²s and should have had a bit more early respect for the condition. Thankfully I haven’t had too many episodes since 2008. Mind you I did have another chest infection through October but double doses of steroid and some generic antibiotics got on top of it before I was completely floored again. I prefer to ride without the reliever to open the airways first, maybe subconsciously for that Ventolin EPO effect when I do use it? This isn’t cheating, I just see it as getting my lungs as close to what they would be if I wasn’t asthmatic. When I raced the track it was very necessary.

Amazing story; my sister has it more badly than I do and my brother doesn’t have it in the slightest. Strange. By my sister and I have both learned to deal with it, and have both become very happy athletes in the process. I’m not up to date on her medication, but I’ve taken steroids as well to strengthen my lungs after the bad attacks (they weaken and can create a building cycle of attack, weakening, attack, weakening, etc until you basically lose lung function).

The roids really help – my lungs have never felt better – but the side effects scare me.

The drugs scare me all around; I am very open to accepting riders who have doped because I feel I can not judge them for choices they made under circumstances I am not equipped to understand. That said, my own choices center around avoiding drugs whenever possible, and whenever I can, I ride with asthma and don’t use the inhaler.

But when push comes to shove, I use it. And the line between push and shove are blurry – hence my hesitance to judge those who wind up doping.

Alcohol’s not a drug, right? If it is, disregard the above.

Like you Frank something in the air irritates in spring (Rapesed blossom?) and cold air approaching zero degrees C can set things off. There’s always a space in the caddy sack beside CO2, tube and tool for the spare Ventolin. Just in case.

Smart man. Its not much extra weight, and it sure feels good knowing you won’t suffocate.

When it all starts to go dark, maybe it’s The Man With The Hammer approaching or maybe it’s just time for a couple of puffs?

Hilarious. I was already responding to your post before I read this, but this is hysterical. In all honesty, this is central to why I avoid the inhaler when I can. I ride for fun. I want to know the pain inflicted is imposed by my will and not by an external influence. It is very shady, the line I draw, but if I feel him drawing close, I will wait for the next milestone on the route to make a decision about using the inhaler. For instance, I won’t use it just before or during a climb, only after or in the valley between.

Unless I’m actually freaking out, in which case I will puff on the fucker like I’m a meth head and point myself for the most direct route home. A hot, steamy shower always helps too.

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

Looks like a George behind Jan.

@scaler911

He gave me a breathing treatment and holy Merckx’s ball sack: I felt like I’d tripled my already impressive lung capacity (not bragging, it’s genetics), and felt like I’d drank 8 pots of coffee (or one a line of blow).

I had the same experience once a number of years ago when I was into running (except for the lung capacity-my lungs belong inside an even smaller animal). It was pretty fun, especially after spending a couple of weeks on my ass.

The VMH had a pretty serious chest infection (not puh-numb-onia) but got a more powerful prescription than I do.

Her inhaler rocks. I use it when I’m really on the ropes, but it also scares me. It makes me all jittery.

Also, I borrowed a friend’s inhaler in 12th grade to bed down an attack. I didn’t realize hers can cause hallucinations and I spent the next 12 weeks in a wheelchair after falling out of bed.

Fantastic picture of Der Kaiser (in particular because of the spectator in the red running shorts). The stare up the road, the bike, the kit. I remember watching that Tour and thinking how understated his kit seemed. It looks even better now.

Fixed your post. And I wish I remembered who took these shots. I found a lot of them several years back and they are all solid gold. I feel like crediting them to Pedale.Forchetta because I’m sure he’ll wind up as being the source.

We were on the mountain the same year, but the shots weren’t as great.

Here he is on l’Alpe

And here’s his TT bike just before the ITT in Gaillac, which he won. And yeah, I got to sit on it because I gave the security guard a sandwich. (They swapped the front wheel before the start from Mavic – the sponsor – to LightWeight.)

And here he is crushing the ITT. Almost all the other shots we have of people (including Pharmstrong) were on the cowhorns. Ulli was the only dude on the extensions still at this, a reasonably steep part of the climb.

Wow!! 80%?? While I don’t claim to be asthmatic, I’ve had a handful of attacks as a result of season allergies, which when severe, trigger a tight chest, shortness of breath. I’ve never experienced this in the saddle, and could imagine the panic I might feel.

If you haven’t experienced this in the saddle – even without being asthmatic, you’re not trying hard enough!

Instead, with those season allergies, I deal with a fluid build up in my ears/throat, that heavy breathing can cause my ear drums to feel as though they might just explode. All the sniffing I do to attempt to balance the pressure, my riding mates might assume I just did a line of coke off the top of my handle bars.

This paints a glorious picture. I can almost see the Pellos drawing to accompany it.

Did you know David Beckham is asthmatic? Me neither – he hid it away, which I think is a real shame as a lot of asthmatic kids get bullied at school and it would have made them feel better about the condition.

This proves the unproven fact that all footballers are ballers.

That would have been great if he’s made that public, but I wonder if it might have opened a can of worms? Nothing specific about Beckham – his wife is adorable and that obviously means he has a good character – but we all know a load of the Puerto clients are footballers. Just saying there’s a similar issue with abuse there as with Cycling.

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

The VMH’s is a 53. It is not for sale. (At least I don’t think so!) Bianchi’s have short top tubes if you’re a monkey like I am.

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

I’m just gonna go ahead and suggest, based 100% on your avatar being a pair of shoes, that not just for the Asthma am I more compliant than you are. Just sayin’.

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

You won’t find it, sorry.

Team Bianchi rode an unbelievable Bianchi EV4 alu-alloy frame that weighed next to nothing; it was even anodized instead of painted to save weight; it was as light as the carbone frames we ride today.

The VMH has one; it has since become her rain bike (and she commandeered my golden tickets for winter riding not least for the matching sidewalls). This thing is a 16lb featherweight; her R3SL is only a little bit lighter.

I rode an EV2 which was heavier but stiffer; Ullrich is a little shorter than me and a bit lighter, but way mo stronga. They built him what became the EV3, which was a stiff-and-weight compromise of the two frames. The one he rode that year at the Tour was an EV3 prototype that was anodized to look like an EV4, but if you look carefully at the bikes he rode, they had a rounded down tube near the head tube, not the elongated shape that the VMH’s frame above has.

Here’s a shot we took on the Col de Mente:

The shot is not as clear as maybe it should be, but you can see the tubes are rounder. There is more evidence on the webs, but if you want the official bike, it is an XLEV4 from 2003. If you want what he really rode, it was an anodized EV3.

I loved that generation of Bianchis. They had lost their place in the market and rediscovered it in that time. They are lost again now, I feel, but I’m sure they will come back. I think they are struggling with how to preserve an Italian brand while outsourcing to stay competitive, like everyone else.

These drugs, as you probably know well, are stimulants due to the fight or flight response that they trigger. Thus the reason why so many endurance athletes get TUEs for these bronchodilators. It’s not that they are all asthmatics.

I knew these asthmatics were dopers with their fun little inhalers. Us non-asthmatics were jealous of such a slick little delivery device. 

Frank, I’d trade your heart and lungs and asthma for what my parents gave me, FFS. It doesn’t slow you down that I’ve seen. 

In the lower-right, I never imagined a cast member of “Jersey Shore” would be interested in the Tour, let alone make the journey to watch in-person.

Toward the back-left, the man wearing what seems to be a scoutmaster’s hat: although disturbing, he’s clearly staring at Jan’s arse.

But most intriguing is the girl in front of the RV.  I can’t tell if her detached expression is due to a general disinterest in cycling (unlikely considering the context, unless she’s a VMW), or if she is simply resigned to the fact she has to wear loaves of bread for shoes.

My triggers are hard effort, dust, and cold, like many of you. I found surfing aggravates it, hence needing to dose beforehand, but the action of having to hold breath constantly really helped back on land. When I swum as a kid it also helped a lot, again, needed a preventive shot, but out of the water the breathing was good.

I surmised that holding breath improved lung capacity, so lungs not as stressed out of the water. With regards cycling, documented elsewhere just coming back from chest infection (a cold invariably ends up with gunky chest for me, 3 this winter!) & sinus infection, and I was riding like a bucket of shit. Believe the lungs are the weak point in my professional cycling CV, ha.

For this reason I spin to win on climbs, find that standing forces to much effort to the lungs…

@VeloSix Do what works, but sniffing will probably maintain/make your infections worse, especially the sinuses, snot-rocket that shit… Sinus infections are fucked…. To equalise, try the swallowing or yawning technique divers use…

@scaler911 I don’t envy you. A relation was in hospital with pneumonia, looked like death, months on and still some days can’t do anything as too weak… Pneumonia is fucked…

I guess with the restriction of airways, it must be like constantly training at altitude…

@DCR

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

Promessa. Will unturn the frame to admire it “” protect the full integrity of the frameset “” and then find a demanding new owner to ride it.

I have a campa record groupo waiting for a classic frame to grace. Ebay/craigslist hunting has been in full swing for the last week.

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than I am.

Promessa. Will unturn the frame to admire it — protect the full integrity of the frameset — and then find a demanding new owner to ride it.

@unversio

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

Many photos when you find it please. Merckxdamn that is a fine looking ride and kit. The kind that shouldn’t be sullied by a matching helmet – only a cap at the most.

Agreed.

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

Many photos when you find it please. Merckxdamn that is a fine looking ride and kit. The kind that shouldn’t be sullied by a matching helmet – only a cap at the most.

Like you Frank something in the air irritates in spring (Rapesed blossom?) and cold air approaching zero degrees C can set things off. There’s always a space in the caddy sack beside CO2, tube and tool for the spare Ventolin. Just in case.

When it all starts to go dark, maybe it’s The Man With The Hammer approaching or maybe it’s just time for a couple of puffs?

He gave me a breathing treatment and holy Merckx’s ball sack: I felt like I’d tripled my already impressive lung capacity (not bragging, it’s genetics), and felt like I’d drank 8 pots of coffee (or one a line of blow).

I had the same experience once a number of years ago when I was into running (except for the lung capacity–my lungs belong inside an even smaller animal). It was pretty fun, especially after spending a couple of weeks on my ass.

Also, I’m not an asthmatic, but I play one on TV.  I can totally relate.

While I’m not an asthmatic, for some reason I’m prone to pneumonia. The last time I got it (the 1st PDX Cogal), I followed up with my PCP. He gave me a breathing treatment and holy Merckx’s ball sack: I felt like I’d tripled my already impressive lung capacity (not bragging, it’s genetics), and felt like I’d drank 8 pots of coffee (or one a line of blow).

I used a inhaler for the remainder of the infection and it helped immensely. I’d hate to have asthma.

I dumped a motorcycle in the rain several years ago, and consequently had to give up my spleen.  I have to get a pneumonia vaccine every few years.  That shit scares me!

I used a inhaler for the remainder of the infection and it helped immensely. I’d hate to have asthma.

Instead, with those season allergies, I deal with a fluid build up in my ears/throat, that heavy breathing can cause my ear drums to feel as though they might just explode.  All the sniffing I do to attempt to balance the pressure, my riding mates might assume I just did a line of coke off the top of my handle bars.

I’ve just started my search for an elusive Black Bianchi frameset “” like the one pictured.

If you find any in the 53-55 range and it’s not to your liking pass it along!

As for the topic at hand. My sister is asthmatic but can run farther and longer than most people I know. This article gives a little insight as to why. A couple of weeks back I rode with a sinus infection and a head cold and I can’t remember gasping for air more than at that time. If that is any similarity to riding with bad asthma then you are more compliant with Rule #5 than  I am.