Well done Mickle on giving up smoking.
I gave up in Jan 2008 from 30 years of smoking 20 - 30 a day, it took 4 months of nicotine patches, gum and an inhalor but I eventually did it.
When I was smoking I used to be able to ride around my town for about 5 miles and thought I was doing well, but in 8 months of not smoking I went up to 45 mile rides.
I now can't stand the smell of smoking and when I redecorated my house I couldn't believe how disgusting it was. I still find myself wanting a cig now and then but not a bad as I used to. Also the money you save is unbelievable it was the best thing I ever did and I think you will find the same so stick at it, it is definatly worth it.