Eating while riding

[jonclarke10]

Hi,

I am just cyling about 4 miles to work and 4 miles back at the moment, when do you think I should be eating?

I wake at 6:15 and I leave at 7 in the morning, should I eat before I cycle or as soon as I have completed my journey?

Thanks
Jon.

 

[yello]

I'd eat as normal before you go. As long as you're not trying to beat land speed records, breakfast should stay down!

The distance you're doing doesn't really require special fuelling (again, effort depending)

That said, some people do have difficulties eating before effort. Personally, I find that 20 minutes between eating my usual breakfast and cycling is fine.

 

[MikeG]

It takes about 25 miles to earn a cake, I reckon. Anything less and you're cheating the system

 

[Steady]

At this mileage it is very dependant just on how your body feels as to whether you eat in the morning before or after you've cycled.

If I'm going out at 'breakfast time' I prefer to eat something before I go, and then by afternoon I've had lunch so I don't need anything additional.

 

[Markymark]

I do 10 miles each way. I used to get up early and eat, but since realised it makes little difference. You'll have more than enough energy from food the night before so I would just eat something when you get in but again I wouldn't worry if it's not immediately.

It may seem a long way (as it was for all of us) but you'll soon find 4 miles a doddle and do it without thinking.

 

[MikeW-71]

I'd just have breakfast when you get there, that's what I do.

 

[ianrauk]

4 miles?
Just your normal brekkie will do before or after, dependent on how you feel.

 

[moo]

Increase the journey to ~20miles, then you can eat before AND after

 

[jonclarke10]

I'd eat as normal before you go. As long as you're not trying to beat land speed records, breakfast should stay down!

The distance you're doing doesn't really require special fuelling (again, effort depending)

That said, some people do have difficulties eating before effort. Personally, I find that 20 minutes between eating my usual breakfast and cycling is fine.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, I generally push quite hard as I am trying to lose some weight plus I do thai boxing so I am trying to get as fit as I can, good conditioning.

Increase the journey to ~20miles, then you can eat before AND after

Haha, thanks.

I'd just have breakfast when you get there, that's what I do.

thank you, thats what i have been doing until now, Think I will carry on that way.

I do 10 miles each way. I used to get up early and eat, but since realised it makes little difference. You'll have more than enough energy from food the night before so I would just eat something when you get in but again I wouldn't worry if it's not immediately.

It may seem a long way (as it was for all of us) but you'll soon find 4 miles a doddle and do it without thinking.

Hi, thanks. I am starting to find 4 miles a little easier now, I have been doing it on a regular basis for about 4 weeks now, with some extra miles sometimes after tea or at the weekend.

 

[JoeGerrard777]

hi,
If you're trying to lose weight I would recommend not eating before the ride as early morning rides allow you to burn excess calories. But if you're not, eating breakfast before rides is fine. I personally cannot go riding without a bit of breakfast so I just eat and go out whatever the distance. If you are struggling with the 4 mile than a bit of brekkie is good for energy an keeps you going on those long rides. Its all down to your personal preference.

Hope this helps.

 

[jonclarke10]

hi,
If you're trying to lose weight I would recommend not eating before the ride as early morning rides allow you to burn excess calories. But if you're not, eating breakfast before rides is fine. I personally cannot go riding without a bit of breakfast so I just eat and go out whatever the distance. If you are struggling with the 4 mile than a bit of brekkie is good for energy an keeps you going on those long rides. Its all down to your personal preference.

Hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for the advise. I am losing weight as well so trying to eat as soon as I get to work after my ride.

 

[byegad]

At 4 miles you should have no issues, do what you would usually do.

I did 12 miles each way for a few years and 16 miles each way for nearly 2 years and ate as normal. I got up, had my usual breakfast of one Wheat-a-bix or the Oat equivalent with a piece of fruit cut up on it and skimmed milk and cleaned my teeth and rode to work. If eating first makes you feel sick, and I don't see why it should take breakfast with you and eat at work.

 

[jonclarke10]

At 4 miles you should have no issues, do what you would usually do.

I did 12 miles each way for a few years and 16 miles each way for nearly 2 years and ate as normal. I got up, had my usual breakfast of one Wheat-a-bix or the Oat equivalent with a piece of fruit cut up on it and skimmed milk and cleaned my teeth and rode to work. If eating first makes you feel sick, and I don't see why it should take breakfast with you and eat at work.

Thanks, I have been riding it a lot since the start of this post, due to the earliest start at work, I have to eat at work due to time. I feel I am getting better now, just a bit sore in the quads.