Running Rat, having had asthma for 55 years, I'd like to congratulate you and everyone else who is biking in spite of it. When I first moved here to Germany (13 years ago) and wanted to seriously bicycle, I could only go 3 mph because I could barely breathe. The correct medication made all the difference in the world. And you will learn to pay attention to your breathing and recognize when you are in distress. This is important.

Like Surlygirl's husband, mine has learned to wait for me...well, actually, he goes down the hill and up again at least once in the time I struggle up. When we are on a biking vacation, he rides with me most of the time, but I also give him time by himself to pretend he's Lance Armstrong. Now we are both happy.

But for all of you newly diagnosed asthmatics, I cannot stress enough that asthma is nothing to fool with. I nearly died and had been hospitalized several times before the newer medications were available.

So, take your medication as directed (the short term inhaler where ever you go), and, if you continue to have problems, go to your doctor. If he/she doesn't take you seriously, find another doctor!

Meanwhile, more power to us all!