Are you not riding because of Air Quality Index ?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Are you not riding because of Air Quality Index ?
My area has 100 index today.
What number index means safe to ride?
Are you shortening your rides?
Today I skipped riding and did the following non-stop for 10 minutes:
Jumping Jacks, Squats, Pushups, Leg Raises, and Burpees
What number index means safe to ride?
Are you shortening your rides?
Today I skipped riding and did the following non-stop for 10 minutes:
Jumping Jacks, Squats, Pushups, Leg Raises, and Burpees
Last edited by grantelmwood; 07-01-23 at 01:16 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,126
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1050 Post(s)
Liked 1,311 Times
in
755 Posts
So yeah, on the bad days I don't ride, or run. Not worth it. Today the index is 48, so I have been outside, but haven't ridden or ran today, yet.
Likes For soyabean:
#4
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times
in
1,286 Posts
It's hazy and smoky here where I live but I don't worry about air quality. I still go do my usual 50-60 miles ride. News media just loves to hype up the people.
#5
Banned
Thread Starter
Are you saying a top cyclist will not get lung issues if he works in a coal mine?
Alcohol is very toxic for the body.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 964
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
278 Posts
And my wood burning stove should be banned too because it releases particulates into the air?
Here comes the Karens and Kens again, preaching to others what to do, how to live
I remember one of them telling me bicycles are a nuisance to the road, causes accidents.
Here comes the Karens and Kens again, preaching to others what to do, how to live
I remember one of them telling me bicycles are a nuisance to the road, causes accidents.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,126
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1050 Post(s)
Liked 1,311 Times
in
755 Posts
Baloney. I agree when the air quality index is relatively low, but once it gets high, it isn't a matter of being in shape. Some people are also more sensitive to the smoke than others and it causes them respiratory difficulties. My wife is one of them. When the index was high, I got a sore throat and had difficulty breathing. Not severe, but enough to me annoying.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,126
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1050 Post(s)
Liked 1,311 Times
in
755 Posts
No, and I actually like smelling woodsmoke as I pass by, but when there is a thick haze in the neighborhood that looks like fog due to the Canadian fires, it isn't nice.
Likes For phughes:
#9
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,623
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 904 Times
in
507 Posts
Fortunately, Central Oregon is perfectly clear right now. Also bone dry, so we're a lightning storm/campfire/cigarette butt/or bad catalytic converter from a pretty grim smoke season.
I'll ride when the air quality is a little less than perfect, I did frequently in the fall during some fires.
If its noticeably smoky and bothers my eyes, I don't do anything if I can avoid it. It doesn't seem worth it.
A few years ago my wife and I were hiking the Crestone Traverse in Southern Colorado. We started before the sun came up in a beautiful starry sky, were greeted by blue skies on the trail, and by we were at high elevation smoke from a brand new fire had moved in. We could see about 100ft in front of us and at 14,000ft could barely breathe, even though that year I was very well acclimated to the altitude, the smoke was displacing too much of the oxygen in the air. My eyes were burning and bloodshot. It was a miserable mountain experience. We were past the turn around point and just kept going, it was pretty awful. Given a choice as to whether I would do something like that on purpose or stay home, I'd stay home every time.
I'll ride when the air quality is a little less than perfect, I did frequently in the fall during some fires.
If its noticeably smoky and bothers my eyes, I don't do anything if I can avoid it. It doesn't seem worth it.
A few years ago my wife and I were hiking the Crestone Traverse in Southern Colorado. We started before the sun came up in a beautiful starry sky, were greeted by blue skies on the trail, and by we were at high elevation smoke from a brand new fire had moved in. We could see about 100ft in front of us and at 14,000ft could barely breathe, even though that year I was very well acclimated to the altitude, the smoke was displacing too much of the oxygen in the air. My eyes were burning and bloodshot. It was a miserable mountain experience. We were past the turn around point and just kept going, it was pretty awful. Given a choice as to whether I would do something like that on purpose or stay home, I'd stay home every time.
#10
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 59
Bikes: 2022 Kona Dr. Dew, 2022 Specialized Vado
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times
in
25 Posts
The AQI here in NC is not as terrible as further north, but it is still not good. Coupled with +90* and high humidity, imho it's just miserable outside, so I've been limiting myself to 10-15mi rides just to get out and get some exercise...
#11
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times
in
1,286 Posts
It only matters for people who are at risk and already suffer form various health issues such as lung or heart disease or are very sensitive to pollution and smog... Healthy people who don't suffer from any health problems don't need to worry.
Likes For wolfchild:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,991
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26457 Post(s)
Liked 10,418 Times
in
7,233 Posts
#13
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Likes For wolfchild:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 964
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times
in
278 Posts
And it's those same Karens and Kens "who are at risk and already suffer form various health issues" have to dictate and mandate to "healthy people who don't suffer from any health problems".
Wait a minute. Does it mean if I cycle in bad air and smog, I am crossing the line and doing something illegal?
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,991
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26457 Post(s)
Liked 10,418 Times
in
7,233 Posts
...no problem. They're your lungs. You should be free to abuse them as you wish.
Likes For 3alarmer:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,454
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 3,018 Times
in
1,937 Posts
I reduced how often I go out, as drivers were not paying as much attention... but it isn't saying much with distracted drivers these days.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Fredo76:
#18
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,272
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2614 Post(s)
Liked 5,738 Times
in
2,954 Posts
We are still waiting for smoke season in Wa state. Last year and the year before I used my trainer in the Summer for months to avoid the ‘unhealthy’ air quality. Sucks.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#19
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,528
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2751 Post(s)
Liked 3,408 Times
in
2,063 Posts
Likes For beng1:
#21
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,272
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10190 Post(s)
Liked 5,897 Times
in
3,177 Posts
PM2.5 penetrate right down to the gas exchange surfaces in the alveoli of the lung and cross into the bloodstream where they cause endothelial damage and accelerate atherosclerosis. Chronic exposure to particulates also causes pulmonary fibrosis, leading to impaired respiratory function. Fitness is irrelevant to these chronic and cumulative processes.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,816
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1593 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,026 Times
in
576 Posts
Agreed.
And it's those same Karens and Kens "who are at risk and already suffer form various health issues" have to dictate and mandate to "healthy people who don't suffer from any health problems".
Wait a minute. Does it mean if I cycle in bad air and smog, I am crossing the line and doing something illegal?
And it's those same Karens and Kens "who are at risk and already suffer form various health issues" have to dictate and mandate to "healthy people who don't suffer from any health problems".
Wait a minute. Does it mean if I cycle in bad air and smog, I am crossing the line and doing something illegal?
You can cycle through the fires of Lucifer's inferno if that's what floats your boat.
Likes For jon c.:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,380
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 668 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
The air quality warnings state they are specifically targeted toward venerable groups. Not everyone is at risk.
What You Should Know About Air Quality Alerts (columbia.edu)
“It’s a code red day for ozone.” If you hear this on your local news, what does it mean? Are you at risk? Do you know what to do? An air quality alert like this informs the public about pollution levels in the air and advises vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, children, and people with lung disease—to take precautions.
#25
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,657
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4758 Post(s)
Liked 1,537 Times
in
1,006 Posts
I think most are talking about smoke polution (not ozone). If anyone cares, here's a guide:
Likes For Sy Reene: