Morning Ride Nutrition

[300hp]

So,
After a couple week break, I'm back to a haphazard full-time student schedule. With law review and other commitments, mornings are my best time to ride. Problem is, I usually feel lower on energy during morning rides then I do on afternoon or evening rides, when I feel like I can hammer harder for longer. You morning ride junkies, what is your routine? What do you eat or take, and how long do you wait, before you ride.

thanks all
Hunter

[ColorVoyeur]

Have you tried adding some Pantera to your morning diet?

[300hp]

I regularly supplement with The Sword, but not enough to keep me going!

[c0nsumer]

Kashi Go Lean Crunch and coffee with half and half?

[Di_bear]

So,
After a couple week break, I'm back to a haphazard full-time student schedule. With law review and other commitments, mornings are my best time to ride. Problem is, I usually feel lower on energy during morning rides then I do on afternoon or evening rides, when I feel like I can hammer harder for longer. You morning ride junkies, what is your routine? What do you eat or take, and how long do you wait, before you ride.

thanks all
Hunter

Yeesh. I'm not a morning person and there is nothing I can do about that. I will always have my max energy around 2 p.m.; however, I'm with Steve on the coffee thing. It is absolutely necessary. I also like more protein in the morning. Cereal doesn't do anything for me when it comes to energy. Eggs, a slice of whole grain toast with jelly, and coffee is a good energy breakfast for me. Keep it low fat.

In the end, though, you'll find what works for you only by experimenting. Good luck!

[bergsteiger]

So,
After a couple week break, I'm back to a haphazard full-time student schedule. With law review and other commitments, mornings are my best time to ride. Problem is, I usually feel lower on energy during morning rides then I do on afternoon or evening rides, when I feel like I can hammer harder for longer. You morning ride junkies, what is your routine? What do you eat or take, and how long do you wait, before you ride.

thanks all
Hunter

Yeesh. I'm not a morning person and there is nothing I can do about that. I will always have my max energy around 2 p.m.; however, I'm with Steve on the coffee thing. It is absolutely necessary. I also like more protein in the morning. Cereal doesn't do anything for me when it comes to energy. Eggs, a slice of whole grain toast with jelly, and coffee is a good energy breakfast for me. Keep it low fat.

In the end, though, you'll find what works for you only by experimenting. Good luck!

Just to clear it up Kashi go lean crunch happens to have as much protein as an egg perserving.

I can go either way, but 99 days out of 100 I probably have the kashi. Do not get me wrong eggs and pancakes/waffles is also an awesome pre-long ride meal, just tends to not happen due to the schedule/laziness.

I am also one of those freaks that lost the taste for coffee (no clue how it happened). I say if you need/like/want coffee go for it.

back on topic, for shorter workouts in the morning I was running the stairs at bloomer over the winter starting at 6:30-7am before eating and was good and hungry when I got back home. I am also not a natural morning person, but I can make myself get up as required. After a few weeks it gets easier for me. For a longer ride in the morning I would eat my normal breakfast (Kashi listed above + OJ) and could probably jump on the bike 10-15 minutes later. For on the bike nutrition I use infinit for longer rides, I also usually have a clif kidz bar with me too (*beep* tasty and does not sit in my stomach like a brick). For longer rides I will also usually have a PBJ sandwich with me just in case. I also usually have a gel or 2 for emergencies, some have caffeine so that can be a bonus especially in the early morning.

in the end it is finding out what works for you. Early mornings are not for everyone though, but in the end a just OK ride is better than no ride later in the day.

[TooFast46]

Greek yogurt also has a lot of protein. I'll even mix some plain with a little Kashi.

[Di_bear]

My point wasn't just protein, though, it was protein/carb ratio--lower carb to protein ratio in the morning--which is why I was particular about only one slice of toast. A higher carb to protein ration doesn't do anything for my energy. That is what works--and doesn't work--for me.

[b_b]

Good dinner night before, bowl of cereal (e.g raisin bran), cup of joe, couple of bananas, cliffs bar about half way so I don't crash later. Saturday I hit the trail around 7am and was home by around 10am.

[mtbfree]

Yeah, Hunter, some good ideas here. I'll +1 the higher protein to carb ratio... I always found that I performed best with eggs for breakfast, but everyone is different. Oatmeal is a good choice for carbs in the morning - it seems to settle better with me than cereal does. Try and avoid high sugar cereals, they'll cause your energy levels to crash unexpectedly during your ride. Granola and yogurt is another good way to go.

On a non-nutritional note, I found that a good warm-up is more important in the morning... Your body is still in "sleep mode," unlike when you ride in the afternoon and your body has had time to wake up during the first part of the day. Try and get 5 to 10 minutes of pre-ride activity to warm up, then stretch between your warm up and your ride. It'll wake up your muscles and make it easier to get into your rhythm, and you won't feel like you've hit a wall after the first 2 miles.

[irishpitbull]

I'm a early morning shredder, I hit Panera for breakfast power sandwich and coffee. High protein with some carbs and little fat from the creamer.

[iamkickstand]

Have you tried adding some Pantera to your morning diet?

This.

Yesterday I had 2 eggs, with some ham, some cheese, and a bowl of oatmeal, glass of milk. Gave it 30 minutes to settle, popped 4 starburst, and set out to ride (which you should have joined had you returned my text!) rode 9 miles, at half a power bar, finished my ride, and felt pretty good.

I always struggle with the right balance of enough food vs too much food vs not enough food and either bonking or carting around a 5 pound brick in my gut. Yesterday I was perfect.

[300hp]

thanks all for the tips! More than anything, I'm just glad I'm not the only person who has issues with rocking on the bike in the morning. I'm going to work in a 10 minute light spin, then stretch before I ride. I'm blessed with 30+ miles of trail out of my door, but as a result I probably don't warm up enough in the morning. I can go from bed, to climbing PLRA sized hills in fifteen minutes.

Chadwick: Spencer and I will be up there soon! (like, maybe this weekend soon)

[vintagefisher]

I am amazed that this thread has lasted so long without any alcohol reference pertaining to nutirition.

[iamkickstand]

thanks all for the tips! More than anything, I'm just glad I'm not the only person who has issues with rocking on the bike in the morning. I'm going to work in a 10 minute light spin, then stretch before I ride. I'm blessed with 30+ miles of trail out of my door, but as a result I probably don't warm up enough in the morning. I can go from bed, to climbing PLRA sized hills in fifteen minutes.

Chadwick: Spencer and I will be up there soon! (like, maybe this weekend soon)

I just sent you and spencer both a text, I may have gotten out of working for the boyne opening weekend, so I may be joining. further details to come. possible car pool?

I'll have the Xman with me, so prolly just ride Saturday.

As for this coming weekend I am down to ride anywhere any time. Let me know I'd love to get out and ride with you and spence.