Well I guess this is the best place for this thread. Anyway, as I finished my ride this morning and was standing by my car with my bike (I drive to the park which is adjacent to a flood control channel which goes all the way to the beach) I see these three guys who had just returned and were at their car as well. Anyway, once they got their bikes on the rack they immediately grabbed their sweat pants and put them on. All three of them! Do they know something I don't? How many of you out there do the same? Seems some time back in a Bicycling Magazine article about caring for your legs besides the obvious tips they mentioned keeping your legs warm after rides. I didn't think much of it at the time but I'm reconsidering.

Well, if it's cold out, then you do want to put something on your legs once you're done riding. A lot of times, if you don't your muscles will get tight, and thus, slowing down the recovery process.

And, who really wants to hang around in cycling shorts more than they have to, anyway?

To take care of those leg muscles:

1) warm up before riding hard
2) cool down afterwards
3) alternate heavy workouts with rest, or light workouts
4) feed them properly, especially protein and carbs after a ride
5) let someone poke them with their finger (warn them they may hurt their finger.) This is good encouragement for you.