Hi everybody,
Basically I'm a student in London and after 2 years of paying for sluggish buses, I finally decided to face up to my apprehensions about cycling in the city, buy a cheap second hand bike and start cycling as my major mode of transport. Despite initial fears about road safety I actually found I felt a lot more secure than I'd expected. I also did a local council cycle training session which I'd recommend to anybody who's not 100% secure about cycling in traffic.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've found cycling an excellent and largely problem-free way of getting around... until recently, that is! I've found myself feeling quite asthmatic. Although I had asthma as a child it's never bothered me much as an adult. I'm usually quite an active person, too and running, cycling at home (usually on my mountain bike in the countryside rather than a road bike in the city!) etc. have never troubled me. The only thing which I've changed is cycling in traffic pollution.
Besides booking myself in to see the Dr to get an inhaler for the first time in years(!!) I was also considering looking into those anti-pollution 'gas' masks I see people wearing around. This hurts me a lot because I've spent years thinking what prats people look for wearing them... but at the same time, I value my breathing! So far all I've read are conflicting views as to whether they're even useful.
I was wondering whether anybody on this forum might have any advice for me? Are the masks any good? And (if they are) which ought I to get?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Basically I'm a student in London and after 2 years of paying for sluggish buses, I finally decided to face up to my apprehensions about cycling in the city, buy a cheap second hand bike and start cycling as my major mode of transport. Despite initial fears about road safety I actually found I felt a lot more secure than I'd expected. I also did a local council cycle training session which I'd recommend to anybody who's not 100% secure about cycling in traffic.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've found cycling an excellent and largely problem-free way of getting around... until recently, that is! I've found myself feeling quite asthmatic. Although I had asthma as a child it's never bothered me much as an adult. I'm usually quite an active person, too and running, cycling at home (usually on my mountain bike in the countryside rather than a road bike in the city!) etc. have never troubled me. The only thing which I've changed is cycling in traffic pollution.
Besides booking myself in to see the Dr to get an inhaler for the first time in years(!!) I was also considering looking into those anti-pollution 'gas' masks I see people wearing around. This hurts me a lot because I've spent years thinking what prats people look for wearing them... but at the same time, I value my breathing! So far all I've read are conflicting views as to whether they're even useful.
I was wondering whether anybody on this forum might have any advice for me? Are the masks any good? And (if they are) which ought I to get?
Thanks a lot in advance!