Post ride aches and pains

Went way too hard at whistler yesterday. Didn't have any crashes but I was running solo so I was burning as many laps as possible and dear god am I feeling it today. What do you guys do to help ward off feeling like an old man the next day? I actually stretched before riding home so I think that helped but the one really gets me is the tension headaches for 2 days.

Do those work out recovery drinks help at all?

Stretching is good for sure.
Don't know what you mean by "tension headaches". For me, biking -related headaches are usually due to dehydration (or concussions, of course… ;) ). Therefore, drinking more water could help. Also, replacing some of the salts you lose is important, your favourite salted snack will do the trick (friend of mine recommends cashew nuts).
Recovery drinks have done nothing for me but give me the runs. Magnesium doesn't seem to make that much of a difference, either (there's enough of that in the bananas I eat), but I know it helps some people.
My totally unscientific 2 cents.

I probably didn't have enough water :|

I tend to get tension headaches because my neck is all out of wack (too many falls/ whiplash) I'm in the process of physio and massage ect so hopefully that issue stops soon.

I recommend not being a pussy

I do around 30 minutes of yoga every day whether I'm riding or not. Seems to help prevent injuries and when my muscles are sore it makes them less sore.

After a day of hard riding etc I sit in ice water for 10 minutes. Feel great the next day everytime.

The best recovery drink is chocolate milk. Some scientist did a study, even

Apparently some of the Xc racers I know drink a Guiness after a ride. High in iron as well as other things.

I recommend not being a pussy

Thanks :( lol
I'm kind of hoping that if I keep getting out more my body will get used to it again. Darn desk job has made me soft. I used to be able to go hard multiple days in a row, so I might just have to get used to it again

Do those work out recovery drinks help at all?

yes. the more hops, the better.

I recommend not being a pussy

this, beer, and some more beer. maybe some whiskey too

Second on the ice bath- inflammation is the enemy. If there are significantly nasty pains and no crashes occured, the biggest improvements likely lie in your training and your bike set up. As for after care, I'm a huge fan of Registered Massage Therapists--with the caveat that a good therapist doesn't fix you, they help you learn how to fix yourself.
Good home remedies I might add are two lacrosse balls taped together to roll the spine, and a bit of vitamin I (buprofen)….that and stem cells.

The best recovery drink is chocolate milk. Some scientist did a study, even

I actually have been drinking a small carton of chocolate milk post-ride lately and it seems to work. Feel better after. Just don't make the mistake of trying it with one of those full cream Avalon chocolate milk bottles. There's a mistake I'll only make once.

My brother swears by coconut milk post ride too. Not for me though.

wait until you're actually old!

I hurt all the time, when I ride the pains go away