Question regarding morning rides

[ritapita]

I commute during the work week to work. I usually don't think to eat anything before I jump on the bike and usually just put Cranapple Juice in my water bottle or some type of juice as I'm worried eating that early might make me sick.
Is this ok to do? My ride is only about 5 miles (30 minutes with traffic) and I want to be sure I'm not totally killing my body. Would eating a small bar of some sort be good? I just don't want to eat something that's going to make me feel weighed down or anything like that.
Thanks everyone!

[farrellcollie]

Do you feel bad once you get to work? Are you up long before you leave for work? I am not a morning person and if I am just jumping out of bed and getting on bike for short commute - I eat once I get there and it has not been a problem for me. But if I am going to be up for an hour or so before I bike - I will usually eat a whole wheat bagel with cottage cheese or oatmeal before leaving because I will crash.

[lph]

I have a glass of juice, two sandwiches and a cup of coffee before biking to work (1/2 - 1 hr). And I eat more once I get there And have lunch a few hours later.

But then, I'm always hungry. If you feel OK I'm sure you can get by without eating first.

[ritapita]

Yes, when I get to work, I usually have oatmeal, but I have noticed I'm a little worn out about 10 minutes into the ride. I'm almost wondering if it's just the initial shock to my body of only being awake for about 30 min- an hour and then going right into cycling :-).
Thanks for the tips though, I'll try both your suggestions before I ride as I don't want to deplete myself. I'm thinking maybe too if I do ...something I will possibly feel less hungry throughout the day??

[alpinerabbit]

I eat breakfast before leaving the house, but in a pinch I can handle my 30min commute (and it's got a rather big hill) without. I just hop out the door. No bottle needed - no time - I drink tea when I get there.
I find having a little something in the stomach is better than nothing.
I also found I can run within 10 minutes of getting up, but half a glass of milk will help the stomach stay calm.

30min will not deplete you. You have dinner in you from the night before, --> should have enough glycogen unless you are depleting that constantly; but your blood sugar is rather low in the mornings.
I'm not one for bars. These are for rides, not food...

Eat breakfast, absolutely, people who eat breakfast are healthier. I find the commuting actually makes me less hungry mid-morning.

[shootingstar]

Yes, when I get to work, I usually have oatmeal, but I have noticed I'm a little worn out about 10 minutes into the ride. I'm almost wondering if it's just the initial shock to my body of only being awake for about 30 min- an hour and then going right into cycling :-).
Thanks for the tips though, I'll try both your suggestions before I ride as I don't want to deplete myself. I'm thinking maybe too if I do ...something I will possibly feel less hungry throughout the day??

Unless you are continously climbing a hill for 30 min. over 8-10% grade or steeper, just a small drink or not much you are not overexhausting yourself. If your normal morning ride is reasonably flat, you will build endurance if you ride same route daily and not feel tired after finishing. Be patient with yourslef. For myself, on certain days, not all the time, I feel abit crappy during first 5-10 min. of ride, ....but feel great (!) after mounting the first hill or getting past a lousy section of traffic.

But then everyone is different. I do love early morning rides the best..my body is best primed for it.

[mimitabby]

I usually eat my breakfast before my 4 mile commute (with hills, mostly down in the morning) but if I'm late, I find that i am really okay without it, as long as I eat soon after I arrive.

[ritapita]

Unless you are continously climbing a hill for 30 min. over 8-10% grade or steeper, just a small drink or not much you are not overexhausting yourself. If your normal morning ride is reasonably flat, you will build endurance if you ride same route daily and not feel tired after finishing. Be patient with yourslef. For myself, on certain days, not all the time, I feel abit crappy during first 5-10 min. of ride, ....but feel great (!) after mounting the first hill or getting past a lousy section of traffic.

But then everyone is different. I do love early morning rides the best..my body is best primed for it.

Oh thanks. That's good to know (the ride being flat, endurance, etc). I was wondering what I was gaining as most of my ride is in central Florida (no hills hardly) and I am trying to do endurance right now.
Thanks!