Early Morning Rides - How To

[V12man]

 the glass of wine with dinner.

What about the one before dinner, and the bottle during....

 

I find the stronger stuff works better at turning off a long day sometimes..... with a sugar free mixer...

[SimpleDom]

All the OP recommendations, plus Set 2 alarms.

 

When I miss a ride, I'm miserable. The second alarm (1 minute after the first) reminds me of that.

[Gandalf]

All the OP recommendations, plus Set 2 alarms.

 

When I miss a ride, I'm miserable. The second alarm (1 minute after the first) reminds me of that.

I always do 2 alarms, sometimes its not enough 

[Tubehunter]

Woke up half an hour before the alarm this morning at 3:57....  Figured I might as well start the day and made it out for a 66 kay ride. I was not riding solo. The wind kept finding me and pushing me back, no matter which way I went!

[dirtypot]

All of these things mentioned help me.  I meet up with two others for our 'team' rides at 4am to 4:15 depending on the wind on the day.

It does get easier the more that you do it.  The idea of waking up early is harder than the reality of actually doing it.

[Patchelicious]

I hate getting up early, so I just ride in the evenings, cause I'm a problem solver like that.

[Meerkat82]

I wake up, go down stairs and get on the IDT, then the kids trickle down and we have some time together, very nice, so it makes up for not being able to actually go for a ride   ( can't leave kids alone in the house...and can't go cycling alone...)

 

Also if you hit snooze

... you lose

[Beesrib]

I woke up this morning 10 minutes before the alarm, checked the wind, and cancelled the alarm.  I really struggle with early mornings.

[dee_biker]

I've been doing it for about two years now. Set my alarm for 4am in the morning, and try to get to bed by 10am.

 

On the road by about 4h40, and then get in just over 2 hours of riding before having to get hom, shower, dress the kids for school, drop them and check in at the office at 8am. I can't manage this every morning, but then get in a 1h30 MTB ride after work on the days I do not wake up early.

 

In the beginning it was very tough, and was tired ALL THE TIME, but after about 3 weeks, it becomes a lifestyle. I am lucky though, I can manage with about 6 hours sleep fine.

 

Google "welcome to the grind"... Watch that once or twice a week. Very corny, but true!

 

Oh, and I ride alone... Prefer it that way.

[J∆kk∆ls]

My awesome girlfriend kicks me out of bed on training days. 

That and my cycling mates wont let me off easy if I miss a ride!

[Hackster]

Jislaaik I really struggle to get out of bed when it's dark.

 

But I've managed twice-weekly 04h15 starts for the last two years now.

 

The night before:

No alcohol

No coffee/normal tea after 6 PM, rooibos is cool

Lay out the kit

Lay out the breakfast - yoghurt, muesli and nuts, plate and spoon.

Set one alarm

In bed by 9 - 930ish.

 

The morning:

Wake up and immediately drink 500 ml of cold tap water which seems to 'wake' my body up as well as kickstart 1s and 2s. TMI?

I used to have my morning cup of coffee before the ride but have discovered that I ride better without this, and it's something to look forward to on my return.

Stumble around the house eating breakfast, get dressed, kiss the gf goodbye and off I go.

 

It has to be said that very early starts have led to me riding without my helmet once (didn't realise it wasn't there until halfway into my ride), and... I'm embarrassed to admit, riding with my pants inside out on two occasions (mercifully it was the pair with the black chamois and none of my crew noticed).

 

But hey, seeing the sun come over the horizon while you're on your bike is pretty much a priceless experience.

[Adrian Fogg]

My first problem getting to be before 11pm. Don't know how some people get to bed by 20h30. But I set my alarm in the kitchen, so I have jump out of the bed and bolt down the passage to switch the alarm off so not to wake up the household. Then I have done my warm up exercise. Then its a cup of JAVA and gear up and go...

[Gandalf]

 

It has to be said that very early starts have led to me riding without my helmet once (didn't realise it wasn't there until halfway into my ride), and... I'm embarrassed to admit, riding with my pants inside out on two occasions (mercifully it was the pair with the black chamois and none of my crew noticed).

 

Classic