Upping the distance slowly

[Holdsworth]

I am now preparing myself for the 45mile Cheshire Cat sportive, 2 weeks today!!!

For this I have going on long day rides into the countryside on the weekend to build up slowly, I have done three so far and gone up from 22 to 30 and finally to 38 this afternoon. Next week I hope to complete a 40+ route before tackling the CC the week after.

I took a good long route out to as far as Whitchurch and in a figure of eight back towards Nantwich, lovely and scenic, especially when at Wirswall looking back across towards Crewe

I don't fancy the steep route up there though, it was bad enough going down, I hit a rough patch of tarmac going 30mph+ and had the front wheel go all jittery at speed!!! I did pass a group of cyclists going the other way towards the hill, they might've been the CCWs but I couldn't be sure. A few others about on their bike and someone with a helmet cam going through Hack Green at same time I was heading from the Audlem way. He turned back towards Audlem when I caught up with him at the T-junction by Brine Leas school.


The only thing is though, my asthma is proving to be a real pain. Some days it is fine and I can cycle for ages without breathlessness, other days I am wheezing after only a short distance, unfortunately today was one of the latter

I struggled on after leaving Nantwich on the A530 heading towards Whitchurch, I had to stop twice on that road, 100yards before the canal and again when it becomes the A525 and there is a old pub which is now a vets. I did manage to make it into Whitchurch intact but I was still having trouble after resting. I needed to get home though so I continued on, going up to Wirswall the "easy" way (still out of breath and walked up a little way), into Marbury, Aston, down towards and past Hack Green Nuclear Bunker and back into Nantwich and up the A530 towards home. I did have to stop next to Sainsburys before continuing on though.

I plan to go back to the asthma clinic and get my medication reviewed asap, it is clear that ventolin is not controlling it effectively. I did remember to take two puffs before setting off and took another two in Whitchurch.



EDIT: Here is the route that I took.

http://tinyurl.com/686s48g

 

[JoshD94]

same brother, are we gunna meet on the starting line? i have a partner, but u can join if you like #???

 

[Jayne Raynor]

Hi Holdsworth,

I'm asthmatic too but it's controlled using a combined inhaler that not only relieves (like ventolin) but is also a preventer. It works by reducing the inflammation in the bronchioles as well as being a long term relaxant so that the things that trigger your wheezing don't have such a big affect. It works really well for me and I don't get out of breath (due to asthma) on my rides anymore. Ventolin doesn't sound like it's enough for you so I would definitely speak to your asthma clinic. Keep riding though, it has really helped me to open up the ol' lungs and I really notice the difference.. but get advice.

 

[Manonabike]

I am now preparing myself for the 45mile Cheshire Cat sportive, 2 weeks today!!!

For this I have going on long day rides into the countryside on the weekend to build up slowly, I have done three so far and gone up from 22 to 30 and finally to 38 this afternoon. Next week I hope to complete a 40+ route before tackling the CC the week after.

I took a good long route out to as far as Whitchurch and in a figure of eight back towards Nantwich, lovely and scenic, especially when at Wirswall looking back across towards Crewe

I don't fancy the steep route up there though, it was bad enough going down, I hit a rough patch of tarmac going 30mph+ and had the front wheel go all jittery at speed!!! I did pass a group of cyclists going the other way towards the hill, they might've been the CCWs but I couldn't be sure. A few others about on their bike and someone with a helmet cam going through Hack Green at same time I was heading from the Audlem way. He turned back towards Audlem when I caught up with him at the T-junction by Brine Leas school.


The only thing is though, my asthma is proving to be a real pain. Some days it is fine and I can cycle for ages without breathlessness, other days I am wheezing after only a short distance, unfortunately today was one of the latter

I struggled on after leaving Nantwich on the A530 heading towards Whitchurch, I had to stop twice on that road, 100yards before the canal and again when it becomes the A525 and there is a old pub which is now a vets. I did manage to make it into Whitchurch intact but I was still having trouble after resting. I needed to get home though so I continued on, going up to Wirswall the "easy" way (still out of breath and walked up a little way), into Marbury, Aston, down towards and past Hack Green Nuclear Bunker and back into Nantwich and up the A530 towards home. I did have to stop next to Sainsburys before continuing on though.

I plan to go back to the asthma clinic and get my medication reviewed asap, it is clear that ventolin is not controlling it effectively. I did remember to take two puffs before setting off and took another two in Whitchurch.



EDIT: Here is the route that I took.

http://tinyurl.com/686s48g

I bet you have more problems with asthma when it's a cold day...... I wear a bandana over my mouth when it's cold and that helps me with my asthma.

I'd suggest you get one made of microfibre and try it...... Having your asthma controlled is also very important

A couple of years ago, before I learnt the bandana trick, I could not ride in winter even though my asthma was controlled regularly.

 

[Holdsworth]

I do use a bandarf thing/necktube that keeps my face and neck warm on cold days. I do notice that the cold weather can make my problem worse but it isn't consistent, yesterday was the warmest day so far I have been out on my bike and one of the worst for asthma. I do remember a particularly bad attack back in Jan that I didn't realise at the time what it was so I did nout about it.

I have an appointment booked in with the asthma clinic in Crewe, the earliest they could get me in was next Friday so I'll have to wait a while. I hope I'll be ok to do the CC as it is only two days after.

 

[kennyb]

Good luck mate with your ride, and let's hope you get that asthma sorted nobody wants just to ride half the year...

 

[fossyant]

To the OP - do you have an inhaler, or are you recently into using it. I say that as I've known many asthmatic cyclists that are really good, but you need to know when to use it. I've ridden with an asthmatic club mate for many years, but it didn't stop him - it was about when you needed to take the medication.

 

[Holdsworth]

I do have an inhaler, it is Ventolin and have been told to use it as a preventative and also as an reliever, doesn't make much sense to me as Ventolin is usually used as the latter. I always remember to take two puffs before setting off on any ride and take it again when needed. It usually works but on this day it didn't and I suspect tat it isn't the right medication for me, especially on longer rides.

 

[ZIZAG]

Hello Holdsworth .
You have my sympathy with your Asthma problem . I am a 65 year old . Retired "Ould Git ". Have had asthma most of my life . And I did have a very bad do about 2 years ago . When my breathing was bad . A lot was due to stress at work . As I have always been into sports swimming hiking football running and now Cycling . I know how you felt . My doctor prescribed me a Symbicourt steroid red Inhaler to take 2 puffs twice daily . " Its to stop any Inflammamation to the lungs ". And a blue Bricanyl Inhaler same dose . As a reliever . I have never looked back since . And get checked every 6 months . I was also given a flowmeter and chart to record daily . The chart figures got better and better .
And the doctor and Asthma nurse were very pleased with my progress .
I do find the cold weather a problem . More so when I go running at a jogging pace . But I just carry on until I get warmed up . " I always carry my Inhaler .
"Good News " I dont have any problem with my Asthma when I go Cycling .
When you had a breathing problem on a warm day . " It could have been caused by Pollen" ? I sincerly hope all this helps . As I know what you are going through . " But dont get dishearted " . With the right medication you will get better .
So I do hope you get your problem resolved. And get out cycling without a hinderance .
very best wishs

 

[Holdsworth]

I went for my medication review early yesterday (25th) morning. They have decided to test me on "Clenil Modulite 100 micrograms" and I am to take two puffs twice daily as a preventer and use my reliever as necessary.

I hope this stuff helps keep the symptoms at bay for the Cheshire Cat this weekend and my subsequent rides.