Training & Nutrition - Eat Breakfast before commute? Or after?

I just don't like to eat before I ride. I pack up a breakfast and lunch, and off I go, groggy and still tired from sleep. I shower at work, and eat breakfast there. I gave up coffee 20 years ago, when I started riding. No need - I'm wide awake after the 8 miles.

I used to commute that way, but found I was feeling weak near end of ride in.
Now i wake earlier, eat a hot breakfast of oatmeal mixed with chopped dried fruit and berries, and sweetened with real maple syrup or honey.
Then ride an hour in to work where I have about 6 cups of coffee :)

I find i'm much more comfortable during last half of my commute now, especially during the winter. And to actually do all the above, i pre do everythign the night before. So all i need to do is add the pre measured water and throw in microwave while I shower.

8 mile commute is not long enough or intense enough (assuming average speeds less than 20-24mph) to be a problem from an energy consumption point of view. Do whatever feels comfortable. 15 or 20mi is another matter if done fasting, which is probably closer to what the second poster was doing with his hour long commute.
Steve

i ride to work in the spring in upstate new york and its a 25 mile commute, i eat a normal breakfast and usually carry a bar with me for when i stop. I always find the afternoon commute much harder sinc emy legs are tired and i am always hoping for a wind on my back!!!

I gulp down a quickie carb snack before I leave for work, then I get more food when I get to work.

Koffee

Slice or two of toast with jam works for me. :) Then the rest of the breakfast when I get to the office.

I don't know... If I eat before my commute, which is hilly as hell, I'll be puking up a glob a oatmeal near the end, especially when I'm hung over. :)

Before. Usually I have oatmeal, but having just read sheba's post I find that it doesn't really sound appetizing just now... :eek:

Now my commute is a mile so before. When I was commuting 14 miles each way I would wait to eat till I got there. Gave me something to look forward too and saved me time in the morning. I could eat while I was working but if I ate at home I would have to account more time before heading out.

Steel cut oatmeal before, and a smoothie after works for me.

I can go either way, but usually bkfst. first.

No. Even when I drive to work, I can't even beforehand. If I'm tired and not fully awake, I can't eat. On the weekends when I still until 10 or noon, I can eat after getting up. But when I get up at 5 or 6 AM, I'll feel like throwing up. And I've got a 13-mile 1,600' climb into the office. I'm not weak by the time I get there, and actually feel pretty good. :) I usually have breakfast between 1/2 to 1 hour after arriving at work.

I also don't like to eat before my morning commutes. I find making a smoothy with a banana, a few berries, yogurt, milk and some protein powder gives me the energy I need and is not too hard on the belly. Some mornings I even take it with me in a water bottle.

I then have a bowl of cereal at work around 10. This gets me through to lunch.

Without eating breakfast the ride home is a struggle.