One thing you notice right away when you jump on your road bike at altitude… well if you come from sea level… is that your bike feels much faster.  You coast at least 10% faster, and it’s all good until you try something like taking a huge gulp on a slight incline.

Suddenly, you’re gasping for air.

It wasn’t an all out sprint, just a big pull on the water bottle.  Or, snacking on a few dried apricots.  Anything that clogs your airway is multiplied by a million.

It’s weird.

What’s not weird is the emphysema-like breathing that occurs with a decent effort or the near blacking out after an all out sprint.  We expect that.

Where’s the air up here?