On the other hand - if while riding hard you're doing an immitation of a freight train, this is a *bad thing*. One thing about riding a bike path on top of a levee, all classes of riders get pretty close to one another. On more than one occasion, I've had elite riders ask if I'm OK when they pass me. I used to say "Yeah, this, is, nor-mal, for, me." Coughing up phelm is somewhat normal, but doing frieght train immitations isn't. So be careful.

I did find concentrating on my breathing in spin class was good winter training. I think my breathing while riding is better this year. Of course yesterday I was a lazy slug and took a nap with my cat instead of going to class...