For those who can get appointments, Barre offers a hydro-therapy tub full of purified water and Dead Sea salts infused with a mixture of lemon and lavender oils. Barre said cyclists shouldn't forget their skin either. She recommends a special pomegranate cream and pomegranate supplements, which she says increases the amount of time a person can stay out in the sun without damaging their skin. Redlands chiropractor Herschel White said cyclists also have to worry about their backs, which easily can get hurt during hours of riding in a hunched-over position. Redlands massage therapist Jim Ortiz recommends a full body massage after a race.
Nutrition is key to staying healthy during the race week.
Peter Brandt, a Redlands physical therapist and former professional cyclist, said cyclists can keep themselves energized during a race and minimize cramping afterward if they consume the right things. Many cyclists make the mistake of eating heavy foods that take hours to digest or consume foods or drinks that are high in sugars looking for a quick burst of energy, he said. But a sugar-induced rush often is followed by a crash, Brandt said. He works regularly with cyclists from around the world and tries to get them to follow his formula for success. Those who follow his plan usually end up with better race results, he said.