7 Things You Should Do After Biking

September 05, 2018

Biking is a good source of stress relief, and it’s certainly easier on your joints than running. Still, cycling is a strenuous workout that requires you to take care of yourself. Here are 7 recovery tips for what to do after a bike ride:

Always Have a Cool Down

Never stop a 10-mile ride in front of your house and plop down on your front porch. Just as your muscles need a warm up, they need a cool down. Stopping abruptly can hinder muscle recovery and cause blood to pool in the wrong places.

Travel with a Foam Roller

Traveling with a masseuse is ideal – but most of us can’t do that. What you can do is bring a foam roller (or tennis balls in a sock) to rub along your legs and help the muscles carry out waste and encourage blood flow.

Rehydrate Right Away

Even if you’re not sweating buckets, you still need to hydrate after a bike ride. Complement your leg massage with 16 ounces of water.

Eat Protein

Protein also helps with muscle repair. Fix yourself a chicken sandwich or snack on some cashews after you finish your ride to get your muscle recovery going. If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, turn to high-protein shakes and bars to get the job done.

Slip-on Compression Socks

In addition to elevating legs for recovery and blood flow, you may find compression socks to be a helpful tool. These socks aid in the proper recirculation of blood back to your chest. They also improve blood oxygen levels and might keep muscle soreness away.

Get Some Rest

You’re bound to be tired post cycling – don’t fight it. Your body needs rest after a long bike ride to repair muscles. A good night’s rest at the end of a day of cycling is perhaps the best thing you can do for your body and mind.

Treat Soreness Immediately

A certain amount of tenderness is expected after a bike ride, but pay attention to any potential tears or injuries. Treat sore muscles with a cycle of RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) right away. If you suspect something beyond common soreness and muscle fatigue, have it looked at sooner than later.

Before you can take an epic bike ride to recover from, you need the right ride for the job. Thanks to the Body Fit tool on sixthreezero it’s easier than ever to find a good bike for your body type. Enter your height and weight to see which of your bikes are a good match.

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