Hugo Drechou

@hugodrechou

“In my opinion, the best way to recover during heavy training periods is a balanced diet and the most regular sleep pattern you can. Then come massages, pressotherapy boots and cold-water baths (if there’s a river nearby and it’s summertime!)”

Axelle Dubau-Prévôt

@axelledubauprevot

“I try to have one full recovery day per week. It's a way for me to disconnect physically and mentally. Generally, I start the day with a yoga session, a short walk and I try to go for a massage at the end of the day. In the summer, I like to take natural cold baths on top of that and go for a walk! These are days when I want to take my time, relax with a hot drink, read... Recovery is also about mental wellbeing in my opinion.”

Cynthia Carson

@watt_wagon

“You won't see me traveling without a foam roller! There is a special place in my bike travel-bag to carry said roller. Every morning I go through a routine of rolling and stretching to start my day. It's a helpful way to get moving before any activity and to wake up the body, plus the foam rolling helps with recovery of the muscles. You'll often find me on the foam roller in the evening doing a quick stretching routine around bedtime to calm the mind and body before my head hits the pillow.”

Camille Sohier

@camille_moqmoq

"Recovery time after an ultra race like Desertus is one of the moments I look forward to the most. I think about it all the time while I'm riding. Catching up with friends, sharing stories, eating a lot, getting my feet wet. I like to get back to the simple pleasures. Recovery is one of the best parts of the race!"

Clément Fouquet-Lapar

@clement.random

“After a little time in the sun, like at Almunecar at the end of Desertus Bikus, there's nothing like a good water fight before swimming to refresh the legs. Afterwards, the recovery session then becomes more hops-powered!”

Hugo Chevalier

@hugoo.chevalier

“After an ultra, my priority is to catch up on lost sleep. I sleep as much as possible, without an alarm. Then, I stock up on fruits, vegetables... and fats, to replenish my reserves after several days of eating whatever I can get from petrol stations. I don't deprive myself of anything, I let my body recover at its own pace. But the most important thing is to get back to riding slowly slowly, just for the fun of it, without too much delay. And above all, most importantly, have a drink with friends while going over the race.”