What time do you get up to ride?

[Patchelicious]

I tried this getting up early thing... not for me.

 

I made peace with the fact that I am not a morning person and only ride in the afternoon/evenings in the week. 16h30 to 18h30 most afternoons.

 

Unfortuantely, other people are inconsiderate and insist that weekend group rides start early. So some Sat mornings have to be up at 5am, just in time to get run over by the guys coming back from the clubs. At least there is lots of good "unts unts unts" music as they drive past, almost like an outdoor spinning class.

[IceCreamMan]

^{up by 4:15, on the bike by 5 on riding days..... running days hitting the pavement by 4:45 ...swimming days in the pool at 5.... b ut then I am in bed by 20:00 most evenings.}

[pe3nguin]

2016 is not going according to plan:

 

First alarm: 04:00

Start riding: 17:00

['Dale]

I'm seriously struggling to get up early enough to get a ride in. I made sure my bike was cleaned and lubed up last night, set my alarm for just before 5:00AM. I was ready.

 

Hit the sack at 22:00, was woken up a few times during the night (pets, kids, etc.), alarm went off at the allotted time - I felt like a train had ridden over me. The ride was put on hold.

Does anyone have any insider secrets, other than plain will power or freakish genetics that enable you to get by with 2 hours sleep, that might help here?

 

With a better night's rest, you will feel more motivated.

 

A few tips:

 

1. Have a buddy wait for you at the meeting point.

2. Put your alarm in the kitchen so you have to get up.

3. Get off your feet earlier and into rest state in the evenings.

4. Avoid those negative monkey chatting in your head and get into your kit. Once you're in the saddle, you'll be fine.

[kader01]

Up and ready by 5. Problem is I just lay in bed waiting for 6 or 7 cos I cycle alone and I haven't found another trail that's safe (enough cyclist) that time of the morning since tokai is gone????

[Skubarra]

All good advice on here, for me the most important is get to bed earlier & join training partner(s) who will be let down (or at the very least notice) if you don't pitch at the rendezvous point on time.

 

 

4. Avoid those negative monkey chatting in your head and get into your kit. Once you're in the saddle, you'll be fine.

 

Yep, I always say the hardest part of those early morning training rides is that first step out of the bed, the rest is easy.

[Bloukrans]

Some good advice here. I hate those 05h00 am rides. Roads are empty and party jollers racing home from night clubs or mistress etc.

I rather leave after 8 when sun is out and I can work on my cycling tan

[Boerklong]

Staying on a farm makes it easier. Have a lekker ride with earphones and watch the sunrise on the way back.

 

Our working times for summer changed so I start work at 6am so I am up at 5am. No ways I am getting on my bike at 4am. I brave the afternoon wind from 5:30pm.

 

Oh and I am raising two young kids on my own so cant leave then on their own in the morning. Afternoon is fine then I drop them off at a friends wife

[popcorn_skollie]

Everyone meets at the trail at 7. I usually rock up at 8. Occasionally I make an exception for earlier rides. If I'm late I usually get everyone somewhere on the trails anyways, only to splinter off from the group later. I love riding with friends. But I also really love my sleep. Going to bed early on a weekends is both selfish and and an injustice to myself. 

Its the only time I get to relax quietly with the wife while the kids are asleep. 

[leeubok]

2016 is not going according to plan:

 

First alarm: 04:00

Start riding: 17:00

 

Hahaha this is a good one! I've done this a few times too.. 

[HdB]

I've found that being able to set the filter coffee machine to start at a specific time helps as well

Still don't like being up early on weekends (which for me means up at 5am, to ride at 6am), of course, but at least there is good coffee with breakfast

[Hennie VR]

When the alarm goes off..........without thinking twice, jump out of bed and do 10 push-ups, immediately roll over onto your back and do 10 sit-ups. After you have finished the 10 sit-ups take 30sec to figure out WTH you just did and go switch on the kettle!

[blondeonabike]

My alarm is set for 4. Enough  time to dress, have a coffee and a warm up peddle to our meeting point. Mtb clubride starts at 5. It is great having the trails so close to home.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My alarm is set for 4AM. Enough  time to dress, have a coffee and a warm up peddle to our meeting point. Mtb clubride starts at 5PM. It is great having the trails so close to home.

Fixed, just for joooo 

 

;P

[Patchelicious]

When the alarm goes off..........without thinking twice, jump out of bed and do 10 push-ups, immediately roll over onto your back and do 10 sit-ups. After you have finished the 10 sit-ups take 30sec to figure out WTH you just did and go switch on the kettle!

Do you do the TopGun double high 5 with youself just after this?

[Warthog]

I have this mental thing... getting up at 05h00 is fine, but 04something and I am immediately extremely moeg for the rest of the day, I just can't.

 

Have to leave at 06h15 for laaitie for school, so I've given up- ride in afternoons and over weekends...