Training & Nutrition - About these “recovery rides”…

Obviously a Noob question, but hey- that’s the reason some of us post right? ;)
Anyway, a few questions about recovery rides-
What are they exactly?
What do they do for you? (or- Why should I do them)
How are they done?
How often are they done?

Now I’ll assume for a really in-depth answer one would have to know my training schedule and all sorts of other information, but really I’m just looking for the basics.
Thanks all…..

recovery rides can be described as active recovery. studies show that lightly pedaling the day after hard efforts (single or consecutive events) helps you recover your power quicker than rest. people will say its the residual lactic acid, etc. i believe that with gentle message, a light ride can make you feel mentally fresh during the long season.
after a hard effort on a wednesday, intervals on thrusday we do a slow, recovery ride on fridays (called walking the bike) before the huge club ride efforts of saturday and/or sunday and again on monday.

Instead of a recovery ride, how about a different physical activity? What would a 20 minute walk do for you? Or easy lap swimming. Or trying to do some active work around the house rather than a single purpose activity?

Good idea. Could I do any of those things on a bike? ;)

recovery rides can be described as active recovery. studies show that lightly pedaling the day after hard efforts (single or consecutive events) helps you recover your power quicker than rest. people will say its the residual lactic acid, etc. i believe that with gentle message, a light ride can make you feel mentally fresh during the long season.
after a hard effort on a wednesday, intervals on thrusday we do a slow, recovery ride on fridays (called walking the bike) before the huge club ride efforts of saturday and/or sunday and again on monday.

.....and it's a big reason why in the TDF the cyclists do a two-hour ride on their "off-days".

Bob