Cycling to work - to eat or not to eat

poconnor16

Greeting fellow 'Fitties'

As part of my efforts I've decided to ditch the motor and hop on my bike for 4 mornings a week. I'm cycling 5km to work and 5 back, so nothing too serious.
My question is, should I try to eat something before I go? I would prefer not to, in order to optimize fat burning, then hit the porridge box when I get to work like I usually do. But I'm really lacking in energy first thing and even get a little bit light headed when I get off the bike.
I dont want to (and dont have time) for a big brekkie before I go. Its not a huge distance anyway so I dont see the point.
Any thoughts?

rubadub

poconnor16 wrote: »

As part of my efforts I've decided to ditch the motor and hop on my bike for 4 mornings a week

Good choice, works out far faster for me too. I am 4.5miles each way, usually just have an apple in the morning or some milk, I used to eat but don't really need that much energy and eating lots sometimes even slowed me down, feeling too full. I try and eat 20-30mins before getting on the bike so its being digested. Also used to have just small amounts of oats & milk, or pancakes.

Khannie

Something small IMO. A banana or the like.

Lothaar v2

Ditching the motor for the bike was the best decision I ever made. Wish I could still do it (my new job is waaayyyy too far to cycle).

The trick is to go easy in the morning. Make it low-intensity on an empty stomach. You'll only end up light-headed if you're ploughing along. Take it handy and enjoy the ride.

It's much easier to do that on an empty stomach. Plus, eating your porridge after the cycle means you'll feel full/sated right up to lunchtime. If you eat before the cycle, you end up burning some of that energy up.

I used to cycle 10 miles to work. It was no bother as long as I took it nice and slow(ish).

poconnor16

Khannie wrote: »

Something small IMO. A banana or the like.

Thanks Khannie, yeah I think a 'naanaa' (as my niece calls them) is the way to go alright...

poconnor16

Lothaar v2 wrote: »

Ditching the motor for the bike was the best decision I ever made. Wish I could still do it (my new job is waaayyyy too far to cycle).

The trick is to go easy in the morning. Make it low-intensity on an empty stomach. You'll only end up light-headed if you're ploughing along. Take it handy and enjoy the ride.

It's much easier to do that on an empty stomach. Plus, eating your porridge after the cycle means you'll feel full/sated right up to lunchtime. If you eat before the cycle, you end up burning some of that energy up.

I used to cycle 10 miles to work. It was no bother as long as I took it nice and slow(ish).

Yeah - I'm guilty with all exercie I do to push myself too fast too soon. Thats some great advice - to ''enjoy'' the cycle. I forget that sometimes, its great not being stuck in traffic.
Another concern I have is that the extra exercise in the morning will increase my appetite. Guess I'll cross that brigde if I come to it.

RacoonQueen

I do a four mile cycle to work in the mornings and have the same brekkie I have if I'm getting a lift - bowl of shredded wheat and/or toast. I get up really early though as I love my breakfast so I always get up and give myself enough time to sit down for 20 mins and have a breakfast and a chill out.

Eros_Panties

I cycle about 5-6km to college everyday (weather allowing) I always eat before I leave. usually something like 2 bars? of wheatabix and pint of milk. The only thing I'd say is make sure that after you eat you have about 20 minutes to let it settle.

EDIT:

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I do a four mile cycle to work in the mornings and have the same brekkie I have if I'm getting a lift - bowl of shredded wheat and/or toast. I get up really early though as I love my breakfast so I always get up and give myself enough time to sit down for 20 mins and have a breakfast and a chill out.

somehow I missed that. I agree.

poconnor16

I dont really allow enought time for eating beforehand. I train until 9.30 - 9.45 most nights so by the time I am getting to sleep it is 12.30am most nights. I tend to get up at about 7.45 everyday and have to be in for 8.30....
Will try the banana the moment I awake then hit the road. Thanks to all for your suggestions!

dario28

I commute 15kms each way - so I stick on some porridge in a pot , then get ready while its cooking , have a protein shake and a finger of nutella , soon as the porridge is done , stick it in a tubba-ware dish and cycle in even after showring getting changed and settling at my desk its still warm

I got dizzy the first week or two but your body will adapt


up and out the door in 15 mins

columok

I commute to and from work everyday. Its maybe 10km each way. I scrape myself out of bed, into shower then onto bike. No real time for food. when I get in to work I snack on half a handful of almonds/brazil nuts/hazelnuts/walnuts and when hunger sets in I have a cup of coffee bowl of salad and some fruit (2 or 3 pieces). Generally I find I dont like to eat before the cycle and my hunger isn't present until maybe 45 minutes after I sit down.

I generally cycle as fast a pace as I can (at the moment i'm slower than I used to be) and when I used to have rugby in Marys (all day 32km round trip) or american football with Lothaar I'd often take it easier on my to-training cycle. If you're not cycling to and from exercise then you might aswell go all out and try and improve your fitness. Its too easy on a bike to just cruise along with no real effort!