You early-morning riding freaks - how do you do it?
03-17-11, 12:45 PM
#51
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Ben Franklin nailed it: (paraphrase) Get to bed early, waking up early gets really easy. Up at 5:00 a.m. here, ride to work. The real freaks are the ones who stay up late and don't mind getting up early as well, even with hangovers.
03-17-11, 12:48 PM
#52
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9-10 AM here too. To early in the morning and the deer are out. To late and it's way to hot.
03-17-11, 12:54 PM
#53
Steel is real, baby!
The small group I ride with, we all meet @ 5:30AM. I get all my stuff out the night before, and set my alarm for 4:40AM and that gives me time to wake up, eat a small breakfast, get ready to ride and leave the house at 5:20-ish to get to the meeting spot on time.
I'm not normally a "morning person", so it is very hard for me to get up and go so early. But I always feel better about myself for doing so.
I'm not normally a "morning person", so it is very hard for me to get up and go so early. But I always feel better about myself for doing so.
03-17-11, 01:26 PM
#55
Squeaky Wheel
Up at 5:00am, quick breakfast on the bike by 5:30. 18 hilly miles to work, takes a little more than an hour. Leave for home around 5:30pm, shower, eat, pack my gear for the next day and in bed by 10. Repeat year round.
The early morning riding used to be tough, but I have grown to like it, especially in the summer when it's light in the morning. I have to say some of those January morning's when it's 35 and pouring rain are a little tough to power through.
The early morning riding used to be tough, but I have grown to like it, especially in the summer when it's light in the morning. I have to say some of those January morning's when it's 35 and pouring rain are a little tough to power through.
03-17-11, 01:51 PM
#56
stole your bike
Bleh. A friend got a Litespeed M1 from CC and after helping him assemble it yesterday, we went for a morning ride today. 7am departure.
Ugh. Took me ages to get my HR into 3 digits, felt slow as molasses and there was (of course) a massive headwind to make matters worse. Was struggling along at 15-16mph and got overtaken by a couple of other roadies. Grabbed their wheel (yes, I asked and yes, I did my share up front) and even a short pull at 20mph killed me.
The way back was nice - 23-24mph of cruising at tempo (yay tailwind!). But even then, my legs just werent there.
I blame it on the early AM ride. Man simply wasnt designed to be doing anything before 10am other than lie in bed. All you early-riser types are freaks, I tell you. Freaks.
Ugh. Took me ages to get my HR into 3 digits, felt slow as molasses and there was (of course) a massive headwind to make matters worse. Was struggling along at 15-16mph and got overtaken by a couple of other roadies. Grabbed their wheel (yes, I asked and yes, I did my share up front) and even a short pull at 20mph killed me.
The way back was nice - 23-24mph of cruising at tempo (yay tailwind!). But even then, my legs just werent there.
I blame it on the early AM ride. Man simply wasnt designed to be doing anything before 10am other than lie in bed. All you early-riser types are freaks, I tell you. Freaks.
I love riding in the pre-dawn hours and feel energized that early, it's usually mid-day rides that are harder to motivate for me.
Up at 5:00am, quick breakfast on the bike by 5:30. 18 hilly miles to work, takes a little more than an hour. Leave for home around 5:30pm, shower, eat, pack my gear for the next day and in bed by 10. Repeat year round.
The early morning riding used to be tough, but I have grown to like it, especially in the summer when it's light in the morning. I have to say some of those January morning's when it's 35 and pouring rain are a little tough to power through.
The early morning riding used to be tough, but I have grown to like it, especially in the summer when it's light in the morning. I have to say some of those January morning's when it's 35 and pouring rain are a little tough to power through.
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Last edited by roadiejorge; 03-17-11 at 01:57 PM.
03-17-11, 05:16 PM
#57
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I know a guy that bikes to work a couple times a week at 3am. That's about the only reason I don't work in finance.
I leave the house at 8am and get to my desk just before 10am after a quick shower. I used to feel guilty being the last one to work. But after getting away with it for so many years I couldn't possibly get up any earlier!
I still much prefer the evening ride home. Legs are loose and body is fully fed and hydrated.
I leave the house at 8am and get to my desk just before 10am after a quick shower. I used to feel guilty being the last one to work. But after getting away with it for so many years I couldn't possibly get up any earlier!
I still much prefer the evening ride home. Legs are loose and body is fully fed and hydrated.
03-17-11, 05:46 PM
#58
on a road near you...
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Nope, we're smart guys. We have a group that meets every day during the week at 0545 for our club ride, all year long, winter, rain, snow etc. Everybody's home by 0700, and our wives love it, as we're not ditching them in the evening. Not only do we hold great fitness all year long, there's not much traffic and we're also prepped for early endurance rides as well.
Some guys join us for half the ride and then commute on to work.
In the heat of summer, we'll start a 200k at 0400 to "beat the heat" and it works out great. We can ride it, be home for lunch, and have the rest of the day free.
So HTFU and get your sorry arse out of bed earlier. A couple weeks is all it takes to get up to speed.
Some guys join us for half the ride and then commute on to work.
In the heat of summer, we'll start a 200k at 0400 to "beat the heat" and it works out great. We can ride it, be home for lunch, and have the rest of the day free.
So HTFU and get your sorry arse out of bed earlier. A couple weeks is all it takes to get up to speed.
On the weekend, I need to be done with long rides by 10am--the earlier the better. I can only guess that the ones out there on the road mid-day are either single, retired, childless or have children old enough to do their own thing.
03-17-11, 07:17 PM
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Early morning is a great time to ride where I live. Get my gear ready the night before, grab a banana when i get up, then get in my cycling gear and hit the road. I do a 40km 'there and back' which goes right next to the beach for 20kms and the sunrise looks stunning. Rabbits run across the road, farmers are milking cows, there's little or no traffic and rarely a breeze. I find it to be an exhilirating way to start the day. I can still be at work by my 8.30am start, I have the evenings free, and in the weekend I spend one day doing a long ride that starts at a more sensible hour. Yes, there are some mornings when I just can't be stuffed, but once I get on my bike I feel better pretty quickly. As far as effort goes, I get better avergae speeds and power up the hills if I do the same ride later in the day rather than mornings, but it's nowhere near as much fun.
Last edited by petrolhead; 03-17-11 at 09:39 PM.
03-17-11, 07:44 PM
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pure enjoyment. whether or not it is an equal workout is irrelevant to me. But I guess FWIW, if I am enjoying it that much more, the workout aspect doesnt suck so I probably do ride harder than if there are cars buzzing me and I've already put in a full day. The first few times it seemed crazy to get up early but I'm used to getting up at 6am daily anyway so on Sat/Sun it's natural. If I am awake anyway, why waste the time laying around? After I felt how fresh the air was, how quiet the roads are, how nice it was to see deer or rabbits or whatever other parts of the world are missing during afternoon rides, I was sold. Not to mention, on summer days, it is a great way to get out before the heat is a factor.
03-17-11, 07:45 PM
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You're young, it'll probably change. I slept very little in my late teens and early 20s - it wasn't unusual for me to not sleep at all on a given night. I still get up relatively early (5:30 weekdays, 7:00 is 'sleeping in' on the weekends), and I can still run effectively on a few hours of sleep, but I can't do that night after night after night, like I used to.
03-17-11, 07:53 PM
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On weekends, I like to be rolling by 8, weekdays, 6. My reasons:
I'm up at 5am weekdays anyway, and it's a perfect start to the day.
Work, kids 'n stuff come before riding, so I have to fit it around the rest of life.
Traffic is much better early in the mornings.
Nothing beats climbing a hill as the sun comes up - exhibit A and B
Sunrise from the top of San Bruno Mtn
SF greets the day
I'm up at 5am weekdays anyway, and it's a perfect start to the day.
Work, kids 'n stuff come before riding, so I have to fit it around the rest of life.
Traffic is much better early in the mornings.
Nothing beats climbing a hill as the sun comes up - exhibit A and B
Sunrise from the top of San Bruno Mtn
SF greets the day
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03-17-11, 08:02 PM
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The earliest I will go on a ride is 10 am hahaha before that its all about catching Zs
03-18-11, 02:35 AM
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Group ride in my hometown leaves every workday at 5:30 AM, year round. I can't do it in the winter; it's basically just a night ride at that point.
03-18-11, 06:03 AM
#67
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Here are some pictures from this morning's ride:
The pictures don't do reality justice. I see sights like this every morning; makes you appreciate life more.
IMO, it's not early risers that are freaks but people who tend to opt. out such beauty--all it takes is the willingness to not let reality slip out of one's consciousness by watching late-night television the night before.
If not, a double espresso /w a double vodka should do the trick (kidding on the double espresso part).
The pictures don't do reality justice. I see sights like this every morning; makes you appreciate life more.
IMO, it's not early risers that are freaks but people who tend to opt. out such beauty--all it takes is the willingness to not let reality slip out of one's consciousness by watching late-night television the night before.
If not, a double espresso /w a double vodka should do the trick (kidding on the double espresso part).
03-18-11, 06:08 AM
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^^ PP? With a child soon to arrive, PP @ 5:30 might be the only time I get to ride, for a while...
03-18-11, 06:13 AM
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03-18-11, 06:19 AM
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Here's a few I took a while back with a cheapo Sony P-8...
Sunrise over Manhattan:
Early rainy ride; messy yet interesting:
Sunrise over Manhattan:
Early rainy ride; messy yet interesting:
03-18-11, 06:23 AM
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Now that the weather is getting nice, I'm really resenting that they've taken away one of my favorite, mid-length ride destinations.
03-18-11, 06:46 AM
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It was in the Marine Corps that I realized all the energy I have in the morning. I also have another baby on the way and my current is two years old. So early morning riding is probably the only time I can do it also. I'm think i'm going to start commuting to work also.
Today was day two of the start of my riding season. Just getting used to the position the seat etc. Woke up at 5 am, but as I build up my stamina, I'll have to wake up earlier to get some good purposeful riding.
Today was day two of the start of my riding season. Just getting used to the position the seat etc. Woke up at 5 am, but as I build up my stamina, I'll have to wake up earlier to get some good purposeful riding.
03-18-11, 08:46 AM
#73
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For some of us it is the only time we have to ride. Cycling is a priority but comes after work, family, etc. Gotta make time and before sunrise is it for me. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad.
I finished a 25 mile ride at 6:30 this morning. I feel great. Morning rides give me a boost for the rest of the day.
And the summer thing...Early am is the best time to ride!
I finished a 25 mile ride at 6:30 this morning. I feel great. Morning rides give me a boost for the rest of the day.
And the summer thing...Early am is the best time to ride!
Although I generally start around 6:30 AM, cycling has to come behind work and family. Night rides, early morning rides, basketball, trainer, all get squeezed in.
Regarding early morning efforts, always sets the tone for the rest of the day. Even if tired, I feel so much better all day long. It's a struggle sometimes, but the motivation to lose weight, get fit, and become a stronger cyclist are the things that win out.
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03-18-11, 09:11 PM
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It helps to have everything all set out and ready the night before. You don't want to be fumbling around with setting up the coffee maker when you're rubbing sleep out of your eyes. I lay out all my clothes, prepare my food, fill my bottles, set up my lights or whatever else I need on the bike, pump up my tires etc.
I jump out of bed and straight into my bike clothes while my toast is toasting, eat quickly, then get out the door and on the bike. The less stuff I have to do the better, but then I find that if I've gotten enough sleep the night before I don't need a long time to get fully awake.
I jump out of bed and straight into my bike clothes while my toast is toasting, eat quickly, then get out the door and on the bike. The less stuff I have to do the better, but then I find that if I've gotten enough sleep the night before I don't need a long time to get fully awake.
03-18-11, 10:00 PM
#75
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
I may need to start incorporating early-morning rides (0530 and earlier) now that my wife will be going to school instead of working till 2000 every day. I'll have to put clipless pedals on the commuter and find some really secure panniers; if I took the road bike, I'd want to drop my stuff off at work first instead of carrying it on my back for an hour-plus.