Commuting - Eating before a commute

Hi All,

I've been lurking for a while but this my first post.

It's been a long dream of mine to commute to work by bike, but I've always thought of it as kind of impossible. Finally tiring of making excuses and waiting to live/work in a area that makes it a no-brainer,I've decided to make the best of what I have and just give it a shot.

I've mapped out a route that keeps me off main thoroughfares sticking mostly to nice country roads. It's less direct, but not unrealistic for me (20 miles) and I'll just have to be extra cautious in some places. I think with reasonable planning I can make it work, at least this first time. Who knows, if it works out, maybe it could even be a regular thing.

Fortunately, since I live in the city, and my office is outside it, I will most likely be moving opposite most traffic anyway. And my thinking is that if I leave at a good early time, I will have less traffic to deal with, and less pressure for me to get to the office on time.

My question to you all is: what do you do about breakfast? Since I want to leave pretty early, and will take a shower once I get there, I don't see a whole lot of time in the morning for me to eat and digest a meal. Do you guys just eat afterwards, and not worry about running low on energy along the way? Do you just do something minimal?

skandl
*

I eat about one before riding.

Hi All,


My question to you all is: what do you do about breakfast? Since I want to leave pretty early, and will take a shower once I get there, I don't see a whole lot of time in the morning for me to eat and digest a meal. Do you guys just eat afterwards, and not worry about running low on energy along the way? Do you just do something minimal?

skandl
*

I've had a variety of commutes, and have handled breakfast differently depending on the commute. I used to have a 15 mile commute (each way), over rolling hills. With that commute, I ate at work, after showering and getting dressed - usually something like instant oatmeal or a bagel which could be fixed in the small 'kitchen' that we had (coffee machine and toaster oven).

My current commute is 8 miles and flat - I usually eat at home before the commute, and don't ride hard enough to work up much of a sweat.

Try different things - see what works for you.

i'm all about efficiency in the morning. typical routine: wake up, hop in the shower, groom, get dressed, pack up my backpack, shove two hard boiled eggs and a banana into my gut washed down with a tall glass of ice water, then hop on the bike and go. 20 minutes total elapsed time.

i usually bring an apple with me for my mid-morning snack when i get to work.

Different people react to food right before strenuous exercise differently. Some people don't do well with much of anything in their stomach. Others are fine. I'm kind of in between. I wouldn't want a big heavy meal before a 20 mile ride but I'd want something, even if it was just an energy drink.

Before my evening group rides, I don't eat dinner. I might have a cliff bar or a banana and a gatorade.

You may have to experiment. I've found that I do best with a small breakfast before I leave (usually cereal and coffee) and then a snack at my desk after. I'd suggest starting small and if you find that it's not enough, go bigger the next day. And pack a banana or gel to eat on the ride just in case.

Yeah, you'll have to experiment to see what works for you. I normally eat a regular breakfast about 40-60 minutes befor riding in the morning. But I can also eat an orange, banana and a oatmeal bar and get on the bike right away, and that's enough food for a 40 min ride. Then I can eat at work.

I need to eat something. Anything. Can't have a 100% empty stomach.

I live on the edge of the suburbs, and ride into the country on my way to work. I usually leave at about 6am and arrive by about 6:30 (8mile commute one way)
This morning I ate a Cliff Bar about 15-20m before I left with a couple glasses of water. Once I got to work I had a bowl of oatmeal, and some more water. :)

Bananas before and/or after the ride are a personal favorite of mine as well.

I too am borderline in the mornings. I need a little something--even if its just some toast and OJ. More importantly, I need something after I arrive.

At the branch I used to work at, when I rode my 20 mile route, there was a diner a mile before work. I used to like stopping there for breakfast, and swapping lies with other guys at the counter.

Being a Paleo\Primal diet kind of guy, I can go on my 20 km commute with or without eating. I even skip breakfast sometimes after the commute. This morning however, I had 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2 pears + 1 cup of black coffee before heading out the door.

I don't usually eat breakfast when not riding, so I have coffee and go. It's only a 6 mile ride though. Times I have tried eating I usually end up feeling sick while riding. I am more likely to eat after getting to work then if I don't ride.

eat a lot the night before and then you can go without breakfast. if you're in a hurry, a bowl of cereal is quick and gives you an energy boost for a reasonably short commute. if you're going an hour or more I'd try eggs (what I usually do)

Coffee and a bowl of cheerios, no sugar or a banana & yogurt. 12 mi in, 18 back
Gene

eat a lot the night before and then you can go without breakfast.
that sounds like a recipe for weight gain, at least for those of us with specific types of metabolism. i'm extremely endomorphic and was told to stop eating any and all food at least 4 hours before going to sleep at night. i tried it, along with my bike commuting and overall healthier eating, in an effort to combat my obesity. i do feel that not eating anything after 7:00pm helped me in my journey from 240 pounds down to 180 pounds.

I don't eat before riding. I tried it and it really bothered me. If I'm hungry before I set out, within 5 minutes I'm no longer hungry, and I don't get hungry again for about half an hour after I get to work.

If I were you, I'd eat something before I rode 20 miles, even if you don't each much.

I eat a hard boiled egg and a cup of yogurt with granola. That doesn't fill me up enough to bother me on the bike. Then after I get to work, shower and get to my desk, I eat oatmeal with raisins. With that, breakfast is over.

I just eat what I feel like eating,could be bacon and eggs,could be fruit,could be oatmeal,could be a bottle of beer.

I don't eat before my 9mi commute and rarely before 60mi weekend rides, although I may have a banana at mile 30.

Bowl of cereal w/milk and a glass of apple juice every morning before my commute. There's about 10 minutes between when I finish brekkie and when I start my commute, but my stomach never bothers me. I don't have a terribly sensitive stomach though.

Yeah you're right bad idea on my part


that sounds like a recipe for weight gain, at least for those of us with specific types of metabolism. i'm extremely endomorphic and was told to stop eating any and all food at least 4 hours before going to sleep at night. i tried it, along with my bike commuting and overall healthier eating, in an effort to combat my obesity. i do feel that not eating anything after 7:00pm helped me in my journey from 240 pounds down to 180 pounds.

Start by eating small. Some oatmeal, fruit, protein (even just milk) before leaving. My pre long-run breakfast was oatmeal and protein powder. You MIGHT even want water with some gatorade mixed in at the beginning since you don't know your endurance levels. You'll have to experiment to see what your stomach will tolerate. But that is far to go in the morning before eating, you're already hungry from fasting for 8-10 hours overnight.

Soon you'll figure out your own method and what works best for you.

edit: Another thing to vary is when to eat before. I would eat 1/2 hour before a long bout of cardio. so basically eat as soon as I get up, then walk dog, change, get everything ready by then some time has gone by. Eating right before? I can can see how that would cause some people problems.

As many have stated, everyone is different. I can do 20 miles easy on an empty stomach but for some people this wouldn't be such a good idea. I'd start with at least a banana or some other lighter fare.

I don't know if this is flawed thinking on my part, but I always feel that if I exercise prior to eating it aids in weight loss as I'm burning what I have instead of what I've just eaten. I also feel like it revs up my matablolism, but again my reckoning isn't anything scientific.

I find that if I eat, my stomach gets upset AND I get hungry. If I just start out hungry, the feeling goes away quickly and I have no problem.

Occasionally I will ride 35 miles instead of my usual 11. On those days I do have a small snack first, usually a bagel with cream cheese or some cereal. Then I have to take it easy for the first half hour or so.

First time out I didn't and was real hungry when I got to work. So next time I did. Started getting real queasy in route. Now I just make sure something is available when I arrive.

i'm kinda surprised by all the people who say they feel queasy if they eat before they ride. maybe it's because i've got a 15 mile ride each morning, but if i don't get some food into my belly beforehand, i feel like i'm running out of gas. now, that's not to say that i would try to stuff a 1,200 calorie meal of eggs and bacon and sausage and waffles and toast and pancakes and muffins and whatnot into my belly beforehand, but a couple of hard-boiled eggs for protein and a banana for some carb energy and other vital nutrients seems to suit me really well on my ride, and i never ever feel queasy from it.

I've found I gain 2 miles per hour average on my commute to work if I have something before leaving. As I said earlier, for me that usually means a banana, or a Cliff bar, and some water.

I can't eat before I ride. My stomach feels full and I end up being uncomfortable. I usually just get on a ride, then eat a real breakfast when I get to work. If I feel tired, I might eat an energy gel, or a box of raisins, but usually my energy level is fine. My ride's 13 miles one way. I do eat dinner kinda late, so maybe that helps in the mornings.

eat a lot the night before and then you can go without breakfast. if you're in a hurry, a bowl of cereal is quick and gives you an energy boost for a reasonably short commute. if you're going an hour or more I'd try eggs (what I usually do)

I can't sleep if I eat a lot after like 6pm :( So I just have a small snack for dinner, that's why I need to eat in the morning. And yeah, I gain weight if eat before sleeping.

Jeez, I would die if I ate as little food as some of you people. I usually eat 2-3 poached eggs, some form of meat (usually turkey breast, venison , or fish), a bowlful of mixed fruit, a couple of bananas, and a veggie of some sort (carrots, turnips, or broccoli). I get on the bike immediately after eating and normally ride 20 miles...it has never bothered me. I normally am starving again by 10am and have a few handfuls of dried fruit and walnuts or pecans for a mid morning snack.

As you can see there are many variations on a theme!
I used to be afraid to eat before a ride because I would ride so hard I'd get close to barfing.
On a bike tour, though, I discovered I could eat anything anytime. Even huge meals. It just means taking it easier on the ride after eating. A huge meal and hammering out 20 miles is a recipe for blowing chunks.
Now I find a happy medium works. LIGHT breakfast, ride fast, eat snacks at work, big lunch, ride faster home.

Jeez, I would die if I ate as little food as some of you people. I usually eat 2-3 poached eggs, some form of meat (usually turkey breast, venison , or fish), a bowlful of mixed fruit, a couple of bananas, and a veggie of some sort (carrots, turnips, or broccoli). I get on the bike immediately after eating and normally ride 20 miles...it has never bothered me. I normally am starving again by 10am and have a few handfuls of dried fruit and walnuts or pecans for a mid morning snack.

I would be in a food coma if I ate that much before a ride... or maybe even any time.

Hi All,

I've been lurking for a while but this my first post.

It's been a long dream of mine to commute to work by bike, but I've always thought of it as kind of impossible. Finally tiring of making excuses and waiting to live/work in a area that makes it a no-brainer,I've decided to make the best of what I have and just give it a shot.

I've mapped out a route that keeps me off main thoroughfares sticking mostly to nice country roads. It's less direct, but not unrealistic for me (20 miles) and I'll just have to be extra cautious in some places. I think with reasonable planning I can make it work, at least this first time. Who knows, if it works out, maybe it could even be a regular thing.

Fortunately, since I live in the city, and my office is outside it, I will most likely be moving opposite most traffic anyway. And my thinking is that if I leave at a good early time, I will have less traffic to deal with, and less pressure for me to get to the office on time.

My question to you all is: what do you do about breakfast? Since I want to leave pretty early, and will take a shower once I get there, I don't see a whole lot of time in the morning for me to eat and digest a meal. Do you guys just eat afterwards, and not worry about running low on energy along the way? Do you just do something minimal?

skandl
*
My commute is 15 miles. I eat a smallish breakfast, something mild. Half a cup of oatmeal and a soft boiled egg, for example, with a bit of fruit. That sort of thing.
Whole wheat toast and peanut butter is good, too.

i sometimes eat a piece of fruit or bagel before my 12+ mile ride in. always drink at least a full glass of water. sometimes i eat nothing and have no issues.

20 miles is starting to get to the distance where you might wanna have something in the tank before starting. not saying you are gonna crash at mile 19, probably not. i once went on a little joy ride that ended up being thirty miles. i didn't eat before leaving as i didn't expect it to be that long and i crashed...hard at about 26-27 miles. i was seriously out of gas and regretting not eating. the fairly big hill right before my house was no fun that day.

I usually eat a yogurt with some granola on it to keep it crunchy. When I get to work I'll have a clif bar or a bagel. That holds me until lunch. After work, I eat another snack and then head for home.

I don't dare eat before I ride. I have found myself in need of a restroom with no one in sight for several miles at 4:30 am. Instead, I take a small sip of strong coffee and that usually will get rid of any hunger for an hour. When I reach my destination, we have those catering trucks, roach coaches as some of ya will call them. I then let my hunger tell me what and how much I should eat at that time.

I've found I gain 2 miles per hour average on my commute to work if I have something before leaving. As I said earlier, for me that usually means a banana, or a Cliff bar, and some water.

Add some beans and see if you can get 3MPH :D

Banana sandwiches work for me. Cut up some banana slices, place into pita bread. Plain enough for me to not mess up my ride in the mornings. :thumb:

I try not to fill up but also hate exercising when feeling weak. For 11 miles, I always have two granola bars while still in bed, not the big nutty ones but the thinner Quaker chewy kind, then snooze for about half an hour before heading out. Feel great when I arrive.

wow, thanks for all the replies. I know I'll be testing and tweaking my method as I go, but hearing all the different personal takes on it is still helpful.

mrleft2000, that's hilarious. I may have to incorporate granola bars into my snooze routine too.

I like something light--a slice of sprouted grain bread toasted with a bit of peanut butter and a big glass of water. I can't go on empty, but I feel sick if I eat too much too soon. I can pack more food with me to eat when I arrive at my destination, usually a banana or apple. I tend to take an early lunch so my body has had time to digest and replenish for the ride home. I do about 20 miles round trip over rolling hills.

I just have breakfast as normal. Hot cooked foods if I'm just going straight to work, a bowl of muesli/granola type cereal if I'm doing the longer route to swim first. Coffee always - it's as important as air. :D
Twenty miles is a long commute, but with a mid-morning snack you shouldn't have a problem.

Add some beans and see if you can get 3MPH :D

Organic jet propulsion?

Add some beans and see if you can get 3MPH :D
Spoken like a true ham! de W9ZEB 73 :)


[/geek]

Jeez, I would die if I ate as little food as some of you people.

I don't eat quite that much.. but I think I eat more than most people here are describing. I had been reading wondering if I eat *way* too much until you said something. Granted, I'm a little heavier than I should be.. but a lot lighter than I used to be.

I don't eat quite that much.. but I think I eat more than most people here are describing. I had been reading wondering if I eat *way* too much until you said something. Granted, I'm a little heavier than I should be.. but a lot lighter than I used to be.

I have always been a big eater....I can easily each 2-3 times the amount of food during any meal than people I am eating with, and still finish first. However, I probably eat more in the morning than I do in the afternoon and evening. I don't have a weight problem, but because I have a huge appetite I watch what I eat very carefully. I minimize, but do not completely abstain from, cooking oils, cereal grains (including cereal grain-fed animals), salt, corn syrup, refined sugar, dairy, canned and pre-packaged foods. I eat lots of lean meat, game meat, wild fish, fruits, nuts, honey, and vegetables. I can't image going on a long hard morning ride without eating first. The empty stomach would make me ill.

I like my bowl of steel-cut oatmeal, a handful of berries or banana, and coffee. I find this and my commute really help me "get going" once I get to the office (double meaning intended)... of course, I only have a four mile ride... not sure I'd want that kind of 'pressure' at the end of a longer one. ;)

I never eat before my ride. I've found myself feeling sluggish even if I eat something light. I don't drink coffee before I go. I just have water with me and I pack food in my bag. I commute 12 miles one way.

If you're in good shape, you shouldn't need to eat much of anything before your ride. My commute is 13 miles/40-45min in the morning. All I have before riding is a small glass of juice and a coffee, and these not because I need to, I just enjoy having a juice & coffee while I'm getting ready.

I eat a lot and am all about the tastebuds. I like to eat really thick yoghurt topped with a lot of granola (oats, wheat, nuts, dried fruit) in the morning, I used to have a nature valley bar with that till I was told that the wrappers aren't recyclable. I've gotten into the hand-held food thing so I'm now baking all kinds of muffins every week (favorite is banana) and eating one in the morning then packing two for energy later in the day. I used to bake oatmeal and raisin cookies too but the amount of sugar and fat that goes into them makes me doubt their nutritional value. Also small handheld pies are awesome to eat on the go, you can bake anything inside them and the crust is all the carbs you need. Anything that fits in your hand but can't be popped right in your mouth is a good measure of a serving. I'm not really a big guy but I feel weird when I haven't eaten something tasty in a few hours. Food doesn't really affect my riding much but I definitely feel it when I run, I ate a meatball marinara right before riding across town last night and I was fine.