01 I CAN’T EAT SOLID FOOD BEFORE A MORNING RIDE
If you struggle to wolf down food before training, start by adjusting your morning schedule to act more like a pro. “Your typical pro at the Tour de France will have 2,000-3000 calories for breakfast – maybe an omelette, ham, cheese, toast and porridge – so it is a much more significant breakfast than a club rider would have,” reveals former British Cycling and Team Sky nutritionist Nigel Mitchell, author of GCN’s The Cyclist’s Cookbook (£16.99). “But the difference is that they eat four hours before racing, whereas many club riders will get out of bed, try to fill their face and then get on the bike. That is the real issue some amateur riders have.”
Aim to get up earlier or set off later to allow yourself more time to wake up, feel hungry, eat a good pre-ride breakfast and digest it. But if you still feel queasy about solid food in the morning, focus on more easily digestible options. “Some people can have a full English first thing, but not everyone likes solid food, so just graduate it back,” advises Mitchell. “Can you have a bowl
