Foam roll, foam roll, foam roll. I do it before, and sometimes after, every bike ride, ski day, hiking, etc. For those spots you can't get with the foam roll, a stick (I use the tiger tail brand) tennis ball or a 5" Fit ball gets in deeper. Stretching, and other forms of movement just don't loosen my muscles like my foam roll does.

My PT introduced me to the foam roller after I had ACL surgery and my quad muscle wouldn't loosen up. Scar tissue was also involved, but using the FR kept my quad loose so I could progress with my rehab. Now I use it for everything, back, IT band, hamstrings, etc., except I use the stick for calves and my little Fitball for glutes.

It's amazing what these little tools will do to relieve trigger points and soreness in the muscles before, after exercise and anytime in between.