I prefer Advil post ride.  I am not kidding, after the long training
rides this spring, I take Advil post ride pre-soreness.  The idea is
that it keeps swelling down before it happens causing soreness.  But
best prevention is to be in better riding shape but as we know that is
not always easy.

This articles was in the Times not long ago about stretching and
soreness.

February 26, 2008

The Claim: Stretching Can Prevent Soreness and Injury
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

THE FACTS

Stretching — long promoted as a way to prevent injury, to reduce
soreness and to speed post-exercise recovery — may not fulfill its
promise. Over the years, scientists have found that stretching before
or after a workout has little effect on either risk of injury or what
is commonly known as delayed onset of muscle soreness, the discomfort
that comes a day or more after challenging physical activity.

Numerous studies have reached this conclusion. One of the most recent
and extensive reports was published in October in The Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews. The report reviewed 10 randomized
studies, which over all looked at the impact of stretching before and
after exercise, in repeated sessions and in intervals ranging from 40
seconds to 10 minutes. The authors concluded that stretching had
little or no effect on post-exercise soreness.

Another systematic review, by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, was published in the journal Medicine and Science in
Sports and Exercise in 2004. It looked at multiple studies and found
that stretching “was not significantly associated with a reduction in
total injuries,” but also concluded that more research was needed.

For now, many experts say that what may work is a quick warm-up, like
low-impact aerobics or walking. It also helps to ease into an activity
by starting off slow and then increasing speed, intensity or weight
(for lifting).

THE BOTTOM LINE

Research suggests that stretching does not affect soreness or risk of
injury during exercise.

sciti...@nytimes.com

On May 8, 11:29 am, Andrea <ac2...@columbia.edu> wrote: