dhender02

I may have finally convinced a friend that enjoys a good stogie or two on the weekends to start cycling. However, he asked could he continue to enjoy a stogie or two on the weekends if he started cycling consistently. My initial response was "..you're a grown a$$ man you can do as you please, just don't light up your stogie while riding!!" After our hearty chuckle, he restated the question as would he have to give up cigars to perform optimally as a cyclist, similar to how people that smoke cigarettes stop smoking once they consistently start participating in an endurance type activity, i.e. jogging, swimming, cycling, etc. I told him, I didn't think a stogie or two on the weekends was a big deal as far as impacting him cycling, but to google it because I really didn't know the correct answer. So out of curiosity I decided to google myself, but I was unable to find a definitive answer. Actually the answers were all across the board, from stop smoking at all cost to smoking 1-2 cigars a day are statistically insignificant to health risk.

So anyway, I was wondering do any of you have experience with enjoying a stogie and it's impact your cycling ability? Really, just asking for a friend.

tyrion

Smoking 2 cigars a week isn't going to put much of crimp in recreational cycling.

dhender02

LOL!!!! Ahh heck, I should have told my buddy he could light up and ride simultaneously if he like!!!

tyrion

No smoking until after the race!

TimothyH

Smoking is disgusting. Quit whether you cycle or not. If you cycle then use the money for nice tires.

That's what I would have said.


-Tim-

dhender02

I've been trying for a while to get him to ride so I didn't want to give him a "red or blue" pill type response. My thought pattern is once he starts riding consistently the cycling habit will replace the stogie habit.....

dhender02

Right!!

dhender02

LOL!!!! Ahh heck, I should have told my buddy he could light up and ride simultaneously if he like!!!

prathmann

Other factors are likely to be more important for his cycling abilities. We had one smoker in our club who stopped every 10 miles or so to light another cigarette. At least it gave most of the rest of us a chance to catch up to him.

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhender02

I may have finally convinced a friend that enjoys a good stogie or two on the weekends to start cycling. However, he asked could he continue to enjoy a stogie or two on the weekends if he started cycling consistently. My initial response was "..you're a grown a$$ man you can do as you please, just don't light up your stogie while riding!!" … Actually the answers were all across the board, from stop smoking at all cost to smoking 1-2 cigars a day are statistically insignificant to health risk.

So anyway, I was wondering do any of you have experience with enjoying a stogie and it's impact your cycling ability? Really, just asking for a friend.

I can’t quote statistics (or have the time to look them up), if that’s how one wants to live their life, but I believe the health problems that might be caused by cigars would be oropharyngeal carcinogenesis, i.e mouth and throat cancer, especially if enjoyed with alcohol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firesign Theater

"Gentlemen! Port and cigars in the War Room. Lord Bushner will join us, presently."

As I understand, cigar smokers don’t inhale as do cigarette smokers, affecting pulmonary function.

BTW, did he seek your advice as a cyclist or health professional and are you similarly seeking advice from BF as cyclists or doctors? Just sayin".

TimothyH

I guess this makes sense.

Good luck.


-Tim-

BlazingPedals

It'll always be his decision if he wants to give up cigars to further his cycling or not. Just be sure to have him keep his disgusting drug habit away from healthy people like you.

nemo57

It's not essential to give up all other vices to enjoy our masochistic pleasures. I can say with some authority that he will suffer more on the climbs than healthier specimens. But there is a perverse enjoyment also in appalling the self-righteous by lighting up on reaching the peak. As a practical matter, in the interests of weight minimisation he might consider limiting his riding kit to a couple of cheroots and a hip flask of fine brandy.

ZippyThePinhead

I'll have a cigar every now and then, sometimes with cycling friends. The beer and other alcoholic beverages we drink while smoking are probably more detrimental to our performance than the cigars are, as are the snacks that sometimes go with them. Many ignorant folk think there is no significant difference between cigars and cigarettes, but typically cigars are not inhaled, whereas cigarettes are. In other words, cigar smokers generally do not take the smoke into their lungs, but rather into their mouth and throat, and sometimes their sinuses. Though a cigar contains much more nicotine than a cigarette, cigar smokers typically ingest much less nicotine from smoking a cigar (relative to a cigarette) because the surface area of the mouth and throat is far smaller than the surface area of the lungs.

It should go without saying that a good cigar is to be savored and enjoyed, so I don't smoke while riding, nor do I know anyone who does. I might ride in the morning and relax with a cigar in the evening, but not mid-ride or whatever. Likewise, I don't enjoy fine whisky or port during a ride. There is a time and a place for everything.

Overall, the health benefits derived from cycling regularly will far outweigh the risks incurred by cigar smoking in moderation, but every adult is responsible for managing their own risks.

dhender02

Thanks for your response!! This is what I thought, just wasn't able to state it as eloquently as you.. I will definitely pass this along to him...

bruce19

Smoking a cigar once or twice a week is not a problem.

JanMM

Cigarettes stink.
Cigars stink.
E-cigs stink.
Smokeless tobacco stinks. Etc.

McBTC

OldsCOOL

Mike F

Lets not forget Cipollini

sevenmag

I enjoy a cigar on the weekends, especially when the weather is hot. I have decent little man cave with A/C and some ventilation. I personally don't think it affects my riding much at all. I don't even smoke every weekend though. Maybe 2 or times a week. Like's been said already, enjoying a good cigar isn't something you do quickly so I only have one when I know I can commit the hour or so to it and enjoy an adult malted beverage along with it.

KenR

Ogsarg

I smoke 4-6 cigars a year and don't worry about it. I also don't worry about how fast I am. I'd probably smoke more but given it takes a half hour or more to smoke one, I just don't have that many opportunities.

JanMM

Reality check: Like cigarettes, cigars are a health hazard. And, also like cigarettes, they are addictive.
I smoked cigarettes for a few years long ago - last one was in 1975. Every once in a while the thought pops into my head that it would be pleasant to smoke one. That's kind of scary. And an indication of how addictive tobacco is.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/...-fact-sheet#q5

Mobile 155

Real hand rolled cigars every now and then more than likely aren't going to effect your friends cycling. Riding in the city behind a diesel bus or truck more than likely is harder on their lungs. It is not necessary to inhale cigars they are made with subtle taste notes and take 30 minutes to an hour to smoke. They are more than likely not at toxic as the alcohol that is consumed at the same time. Alcohol is a toxin and has to be metabolized by the liver. Like a Beer or whiskey after a ride?

If the friend gets into cycling enough they might give up cigars but not necessarily. Cigar smoking is a whole different habit from cigarettes. To some it is a lifestyle like drinking fine wine. A box of Arturo Fuente Opus X cigars can cost $1450.00.

Tell your friend that they have to give up Cigars, alcohol, soda, cookies, red meat and pie and you will be cycling without your friend.