Pre-commute breakfast?

[Gingerbreadman]

Usually I struggle for energy on my 9 mile (500ft of climbing) commute in a morning because (i) I ride hard (ii) my glycogen levels are of course low first thing in the morning.

Today I made the mistake of eating a big bowl of cereal 20 mins before leaving. Seems my body was far more interested in digesting it than supplying my muscles with energy. The whole commute was a struggle.

What experience does anybody else have? (BTW - I am not getting up 1.5 hours before a commute just to have breakfast).

 

[raleighnut]

Usually I struggle for energy on my 9 mile (500ft of climbing) commute in a morning because (i) I ride hard (ii) my glycogen levels are of course low first thing in the morning.

Today I made the mistake of eating a big bowl of cereal 20 mins before leaving. Seems my body was far more interested in digesting it than supplying my muscles with energy. The whole commute was a struggle.

What experience does anybody else have? (BTW - I am not getting up 1.5 hours before a commute just to have breakfast).

A smaller bowl of cereal

 

[BrumJim]

I've ridden 6 miles intense (20 mile/h average, urban) on nothing, but more usually do it on 2 weetabix and 1 slice of bread + jam, finishing about 20 minutes before I leave.

Don't really notice the difference, to be honest.

 

[ianrauk]

Ride less hard and/or get fitter.

My commute is over twice the length and has more climbing.
A bowl of cereal, also 20 mins before leaving is all I have.

 

[Simontm]

Pint of water when I get up. Cup of black tea and a bowl of cornflakes about 20mins/half an hour before leaving. 13 miles but only 200 metre climb

 

[MrGrumpy]

nowt other than a drink of water/juice before commencing the 15 mile commute at a brisk pace and more climbing as well.

 

[seraphina]

My commute is 9miles also, I have a bowl of porridge about an hour before leaving. But I'm up anyway hours before I need to leave because of small children...

 

[Racing roadkill]

With a monster of a commute like that, you need one of these

But seriously, just eat a banana, or one of those Belvita things.

 

[boydj]

Eat when you get to work. The food barely has time to get into your system on a relatively short run.

Why push hard early in the morning? Leave slightly earlier. Work hard on the way home if you need to do some quality training.

 

[Easytigers]

I'm with boydj. I have a drink before I go and then eat breakfast when I get to work. It's quite nice as there's a couple of us that cycle so we eat and chat together before work. Even when we drive in, we still have the same routine.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Eat when you get to work. The food barely has time to get into your system on a relatively short run.

Why push hard early in the morning? Leave slightly earlier. Work hard on the way home if you need to do some quality training.

+1

 

[raleighnut]

A smaller bowl of cereal

Please tell me that the member Ronnie_Pickering is someone having a laugh with that username, if he's giving me a like I may have to retire from the forum.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Please tell me that the member Ronnie_Pickering is someone having a laugh with that username, if he's giving me a like I may have to retire from the forum.

Who?

 

[raleighnut]

Who?

RONNIE F*CKING PICKERING.

 

[Soltydog]

if I'm on an early commute I normally have 3 Weetabix & a double shot coffee 20-30 mins before I set off, ride 16 miles, fairly hard but not much climbing & then have another 3 Weetabix at work before I start
If you are struggling to digest your breakfast before/on your commute, maybe try an energy gel or bar before you set off, might be in your system quicker & have breakfast at work