Does anyone do leg stretches before and after a ride?

[Kies]

Ride slow for the first mile or two. A nice easy gear and gradually bring your cadence up.
Stretch after a ride as the muscles are warmed up. You could do more damage by stretching when cold

 

[vickster]

No and sometimes

 

[MattMM]

Try a foam roller post-ride. Made a huge difference to my post-ride stiffness.

 

[screenman]

Foam roller here as well.

 

[Rob3rt]

I can never be arsed with a foam roller, it requires quite a bit of space and to hold yourself up and actively do something, this is problematic because you can't really do it after a race (well you could, but you would look pretty bonkers rolling about on the HQ carpark floor and you are often too knackered to do it) and after hard training, I just can't be bothered. I occasionally massage my quads and calves and that's about it!

 

[cyberknight]

Stretch after , i used to be very flexible and i can really feel it tightening up after a ride.

 

[Ciar]

I usually do a bit after a commute, after 3-4 days back to back i make sure to do a bit more and foam roll, i have found to my own detriment what happens if i neglect stretching/foam rolling ;-)

 

[totallyfixed]

I can never be arsed with a foam roller, it requires quite a bit of space and to hold yourself up and actively do something, this is problematic because you can't really do it after a race (well you could, but you would look pretty bonkers rolling about on the HQ carpark floor and you are often too knackered to do it) and after hard training, I just can't be bothered. I occasionally massage my quads and calves and that's about it!

Tut tut, I'll set dr_pink on you, longer and harder you work more you need to stretch. You know it Rob.

 

[Rob3rt]

Tut tut, I'll set dr_pink on you, longer and harder you work more you need to stretch. You know it Rob.

Oh I know, especially since the inability to rotate my pelvis forward stops me getting as aero as I could be on my TT bike, it is just something that I forget about at the time or quite honestly, often just cba to do as it becomes one more thing on the list and my list is long.

 

[cosmicbike]

Never used to, but then after loosing most of my leg muscle last year it became a 20 minute routine prior to and after any form of exercise, from a 0.5 mile walk (which was hard) to 5 mins on the trainer (arguably harder). Still in recovery now, and still maintain the same routine, though I tend to hold for less in each stretch as my muscles have improved.
Find I get pain if I go out 'cold', even though I spend the first mile or 2 spinning, so sometimes worth a few walks up and down the stairs immediately before getting on the bike. Also the reason I am still wearing winter longs on most of my rides.

 

[screenman]

I need to stretch and roll more the older I get. 2,000mtr swim and 40k on the bike today means a few little aches tomorrow if I do not stretch a little tonight.

 

[Banjo]

I need to stretch and roll more the older I get. 2,000mtr swim and 40k on the bike today means a few little aches tomorrow if I do not stretch a little tonight.

2000 meter swim and I would need resucitating.

 

[screenman]

2000 meter swim and I would need resucitating.

I am only 58, my swimming partner does more and is 61, he has the benefit of having retired 12 years ago, whilst me being the muppet I am made a bad career choice and will likely have to work forever and more. Which is one of the reasons I like to stay fit.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I can never be arsed with a foam roller, it requires quite a bit of space and to hold yourself up and actively do something, this is problematic because you can't really do it after a race (well you could, but you would look pretty bonkers rolling about on the HQ carpark floor and you are often too knackered to do it) and after hard training, I just can't be bothered. I occasionally massage my quads and calves and that's about it!

Get a stick (Massage Stick) - They fit in a kit bag are great!!

More info on : http://www.the-stick.co.uk/

I stretch all the time.. My work has a gym in it and we have Pilates, Yoga & Tai Chi classes run during lunchtimes.

 

[screenman]

Blimey H who do you work for?