I used to and thought it was odd since I generally do not eat breakfast. I started having a stroopwaffle 5 min before getting on the bike so I have something solid in my stomach. Has worked well and then I take in nutrition in the form of drink mix 95% of the time and with a gel every now and then.
That sounds good, plus stroopwafels and coffee are a perfect match ![]()
I started AM workouts back in the summer and I gotta say I really do prefer it to the evening. Especially now that I have a little one, it’s much much easier to carve out some “me” time before work, when everyone is still asleep.
Downside is I have to be at work by 6AM, so my alarm goes off at 3:45 (YUCK).
Stroopwafels and coffee are a match made in heaven! Was a revelation when one of my Dutch work mates told me to place my stroopwafel on top of my coffee cup to warm it up… mindblown🤯
Agreed, need to find a good supplier again. Nothing beats a fresh one in Holand made in front of you!
Think i might have under done it slightly over the last two days of threshold workouts. Got on the bike hungry this morning and off starving and not much power in the legs… More in the evening and day needed me thinks!
There is a lot of nuance here, so I would not worry about it too much. On some days, I am able to do upper z2 fasted no problem - in a morning of course. I am always having a big dinner the evening before.
Other days, it simply is not happening and you can just feel your body needs more. Sometimes, I am needing much more than normal. I have found with adding strength work - need even more fuel, which is somewhat obvious. I would just play it by ear and let it roll
of course, when it gets mega tough, get that fuel in early - takes a while to get through me in a morning, my body is slow to react and I suspect for those training in the early hours where also it is dark, the same applies.
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That’s a bold mix there…
Sounds a little like the weird mix i like of sourdough, peanut butter smashed avo with balsamic vinegar (the good thick stuff) drizzled on top. Sounds mad but don’t knock it till you try it!
Sounds amazing!
Question, i usually have something like a homemade flapjack pre / during the warm-up for my morning sessions. That said it doesn’t do much as i assume its taking a while to get the energy out of it and into the body. Would i be better potentially with ore liquid carbs, (sugar) or sweets for example as its so close to the session?
Or eat the flapjack the night before?
I do what you do except I have a piece of toast right before hopping on the bike. Then during the ride I have my normal drink mix. I know that toast probably isn’t doing all that much, but it makes me feel better to have something to eat before riding. Who knows, maybe that toast is coming in handy in my 6th of 6 intervals.
I dont know if this is the best thread to lift my question.
Every friday morning Im doing a z2 ride. Normally I start at 0530 and go for about 5 hours. I have noticed a big difference of my hr value of my early morning sessions compared to a z2 session that I start 4 hours later on another day.
For examle so was my average hr 130 with 197 watt on the first two hours. But on my later session it was 122 with 214 watt.
Does this indicate anything? Or is it just common?
Lots of factors could influence your HR throughout the day - fatigue (from the day or previous days), temperature, hydration etc so I would just chalk to down to something along those lines.
What you want to look for though is trends in the workouts you do at similar times. Eg increasing power for a lower HR
There was mention on the latest podcast on riding early in the morning. I couldn’t find a thread for the last Podcast
I just wanted to add a few things that I like to do.
@Jonathan Mentioned not using his phone after 6pm the night before. I do this as well but… I want to add two apps that help me. The first is an app called “Reading Light.” It’s android only but it’s a great, no ad, no mess, app that turns your screen into a lamp. You can choose colour and brightness. I lay it on my chest and read by that light. My wife barely notices if she notices at all.
The second is Alarmy. It gets me out of bed quickly after my alarm goes off and not just lay there. It involves “missions” that range from simple math to straight up getting out of bed to do squats or take a photo of something specific. Amazing for getting up and getting moving.
I also pre-make my coffee with an Aeropress the day before. You can make a concentrate with it and store in the fridge. It keeps super well with no taste degradation. All you need to do is add some hot water and you have a fresh cup of coffee in a minute. Aeropresses also make a great cup of coffee anyway. I put it in a thermal mug and I can drink it while warming up or in between intervals.
I have a bowl of cereal that I pour the night before. Just add milk. Eat while my coffee water boils. I stay off my phone here too so I don’t get caught up working or, worse, just scrolling.
And of course… Have your bottles, towel, kit, computer, etc already to go. I make sure my TR ride is open and have whatever I’m going to watch or listen to all cued up.
I keep a big bin of snacks and a 4L jug of water beside my bike. I can refill water or snack on whatever while riding.
There are many of you here who train early in the morning (also hard workouts not only recovery ride).
What do you think is the best and fastest coffee kickass option ![]()
an espresso prepared the night before, a caffeine capsule or perhaps a caffeine gel right before the start of training…
This may be cringe-y, but I often microwave yesterday’s coffee. ![]()
For fresh, an aero press is really fast - usually water reaches temperature just as I am finishing getting the press loaded.
I drink iced coffee everyday. I’ll make a 10 cup pot, put it in quart containers. Mix up milk or whatever the evening before, ready togo in the morning.
I keep the extra from the prior day in the fridge and just drink it cold right as I get rolling on the bike.
I’ve been getting cold brew concentrate, 1:1 with water. Mostly cold, bit occasionally ill use the electric kettle to boil the water. Use it only for workouts, 32 oz bottle generally gets me through 9-10. Also have been doing overnight oats as main pre-workout meal