How long do YOU take to get ready to ride?!

[pooks]

I'm glad you asked this question because I keep thinking, "There has to be a better way!"

Clearly, there's stuff you simply have to do and it takes time.

Of course sometimes I end up hunting for socks or kit or whatevers. I do need to get better organized.

This summer I've loved riding in my Keen sandals that I'm usually wearing most of the day, anyway. It's amazing how much faster the "getting ready" seems when I'm not putting on socks and cycling shoes. (It can't really make that much difference, but it feels like it is.)

[singletrackmind]

I'll get everything ready the night before if it's an early morning ride. Camelback ready in fridge complete with anything I'm taking with me or packed next to sink with bladder out and ready to fill, bike set out, aired/lubed, gear laid out and waiting.
If it's a 4am slip out before the hubby goes to work ride I'm out of here in ten or less, but everything's been done the night before, I don't bother with teeth or sunscreen or food (have some with me, just in case), lighting is already set up on camelback/helmet and the dogs are still asleep.

Getting ready from scratch 1/2 hour is quick, I think.

[Velobambina]

Winter is more difficult. More to put on, have to determine how many layers you'll need, and then, pull them on.

I'm one who prepares in advance and has everything ready to go.

[SouthernBelle]

Half hour sounds fast to me for a morning ride! The only suggestions I could make is to pump your tires the night before, have your puter charged and on the bars but off the night before, and lay out your kit too.

[farrellcollie]

I am impressed with how quickly you get out in the morning- It takes me at least 30 minutes to feed and play with the dogs before I can leave them - let alone what I have to do for myself and the cat. I am not really a morning person - so except for school yr when I commute - I usually bike later in the day.

[gingergin]

If I am riding after work I can get out in under 10 mins! I don't even go upstairs to my bedroom - I have all my cycling clothes downstairs the night before so I basically strip as soon as I walk in and put everything on, pee and walk out! I only have to time to go about 9 or 10 miles after work so I don't even bring water for those short rides. But it's a drag when I come back home and have to clean up my work clothes that I threw all over the living room floor!

[Jiffer]

In response to all your great replies .... ...

I'm with csr1210 and oxysback on the peeing every five minutes! And if not every five minutes, certainly right before heading out ... to do ANYTHING! Have to have the last minute pee time ... which is why I wait until then to put the Chamois Buttr on, but only do that for longer rides.

I forgot about the HRM when I listed my routine, which is new for me. I don't pump my tires the night before because Dh says you lose 30 lbs of air before the a.m. If I'm doing a short ride and the tires were pumped the day before, sometimes I skip it.

I can slide my Garmin bike computer onto my bike the night before, but that's quick. It's not a matter of waiting for it to charge, it's waiting for the GPS to kick in, which can't be done until I'm standing outside of the garage with the bike. Luckily, it's much faster than the Garmin watch I wore for running.

I could have my bike sitting out in the garage instead of hanging in the closet, but that would defeat the purpose of the closet, which is to protect the bike. There's not a lot of space around my car and there's no sense risking it getting knocked over.

Like some of you (which crack me up!) I could easily lounge around in the a.m. and take my time getting out the door (and have) on days that are ... #1: not smoldering hot outside the later it gets and ... #2: I don't have somewhere to be (usually my kid's a.m. horse lessons) Also, I am so NOT a morning person, I'm not going to get up at 5:00 or 6:00, which would allow myself more time to be easy going. I'd much rather sleep until the last possible minute and rush through my routine!

[Grog]

I don't pump my tires the night before because Dh says you lose 30 lbs of air before the a.m. If I'm doing a short ride and the tires were pumped the day before, sometimes I skip it.

I don't mean to undermine your DH's cycling authority, but I would suggest you do the experiment yourself with a gauge instead of trusting his word, especially if it impairs your capacity to be on the road quickly. High-pressure road tires loose about 3psi per day, which is a lot compared to low-pressure tires, but not a lot overall. You can quite safely ride your tires at about 90psi, or even less (although I don't like to be under that).

[teigyr]

Despite my slothfulness in getting ready to ride, I AM capable of doing it more quickly

If I have plans to meet people in the morning to ride, I can be out of the door within 20 minutes. I load my bike and get everything ready the night before and just get dressed and go. I tend to do drive-through McDonalds breakfasts before long rides, I don't know why but it works.

So I can do it if someone is depending on me to be somewhere! It's great motivation to ride with people.

[mimitabby]

I really prefer to get everything ready the night before so i can worry about OTHER stuff (eating, checking email, bathroom) before the ride.
tomorrow's a big ride; so tonight i will get everything together...

[Deanna]

I don't count normal morning/daily routines as part of "getting ready to ride" as I'd do them if I was riding that day or not. That cuts my getting to ride routine and time pretty significantly:

1. Fill water bottles & set out ride food
2. Pick out riding outfit best suited for the ride and weather
3. Get dressed
4. Stretch
5. Apply chamois cream if ride is >50 miles or I'm on the tandem
6. Stuff ride food in pockets
7. Put out the dog and lock the house
6. Check bike & leave

[jotjepoes]

In the summer when it is warm and breezy, about 25 mins - jump out of bed, go to for a whiz, throw bike clothes on, guzzle some cereal down for fuel, pack my mobile phone, wallet and keys and maybe a muesli bar in my back pocket), top up water bottle, put on shoes and off I go - can't wait to get out on the road.

In winter - it's more like 2 hrs and 40 mins. Spend about 2 hours telling myself it won't be that bad getting out of my warm bed, then finally get out of bed, do most of the things set out above, except make some warm porridge (instead of cereal) put on inserts and then riding gloves (always seems to take forever) and then get out and regret being out there for about 15 mins till I warm up....

If you haven't gathered - it's winter here downunder ....brrrrr... no snow but cold enough!