Breakfast before and after

[helston90]

Hi all,

Still piecing together how my commute to work is going to come together (moving office in a few weeks to one that's doable) and wondering about eating.

The ride is 12 miles of hilly Cornish countryside side will be a fair whack with the promise of a hot shower at the other end- what do people tend to much on before hand to see them through? and what's easy to take to make up in an office at the other end?

Any input/ ideas would be welcome- there could be something I've not thought of!

 

[ianrauk]

For my 18 mile morning commute a bowl of cereal and a cup of tea see me through.

 

[boydj]

There is an argument that cycling 'hungry' helps your body adapt more quickly to burning fat, which is good for long-distance cycling as it helps conserve your glycogen reserves. I would normally cycle for up to an hour on the morning commute before breakfast - with only a glass of fruit juice before heading out.

 

[Bayerd]

I think nothing of doing 20-25 miles before breakfast, just water on the ride is enough. Anything further than that and I'd probably eat as well.

 

[Andrew_P]

Glass of milk, food is the carrot!

 

[Gez73]

I do an 8 mile commute before breakfast or anything that resembles a breakfast. Have tried to eat everything from porridge to those breakfast biscuits but have found waiting until there and able to have a proper tea and settled works so much better. Might depend on what and when you eat the night before. I've never struggled energy wise on an empty stomach on the morning ride but it's dependant on your routine and diet I would imagine. Trial and error and available facilities dictate your routine and needs. You'll tailor your routine accordingly.

 

[Dave 123]

Black pudding, and lots of it!

 

[growingvegetables]

On my last commute, there was a bacon sarnie shop half way ..... just at the bottom of a steep hill. Never once felt guilty about walking up it!

 

[Edge705]

Everyones different I commute 12 miles in the morning I like to do this on an empty stomach I then look forward to toast and cereal at work with strong coffee - IMO It will all depend on your level and at what intensity your ride is for example mine is 80 - 85% max heart rate from start to finish there is not enough time for the food to digest before I leave the house therefore I would get an upset stomach - However If my intensity was lower then I dont think having breakfast before a commute would do any harm at all

 

[BlackPanther]

I'm up at 6.00. Leave for work at 6.30 and get there for 7.20. I've never had breakfast before riding in, and I stopped needing a drink about 6 weeks after I started cycling in. Breakfast for me is a sandwich when I leave the yard at around 7.45. Each to there own, but the thought of riding for 45 mins with a stomach full of breaky doesn't really appeal to me.

 

[Keith Oates]

I'm another cup of tea and cereal man for my 20 Km ride into work but I also limit the amount of cereal so that I don't feel over full and then have a banana and a granola bar when I get to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cloggsy]

Before setting off on my 13 mile commute, I have a protein shake, a multi-vit and a glass of water and away I go...

 

[NormanD]

Bran flakes and sliced bananas ..can't beat it

 

[2Loose]

Sausage and bacon cob after the 10 miles to work, but only coffee fuels that.

 

[Dora]

I used to do a "rolling" 8 mile commute to work (430ft elevation gain, but no climbs significant enough to show up) and experimented with eating brekky and not eating brekky. At first I'd insist on having breakfast before I left in the morning, but breakfast never agreed with me a the best of times. After swapping and changing what I did in the morning, I settled on making sure I ate a proper dinner the night before, which would usually see me alright until lunchtime.

Nowadays my commute is only three miles and I absolutely cannot eat anything until a couple of hours after I get off the bike. It makes me feel ill!