When you're short on time, or fancy something tasty that's quick to whiz up, smoothies are just the ticket. Add loads of fruit, a few vegetables and a handful of oats, and you've got the perfect pre- or post-ride drink, whether you're looking to fuel or recover.
We've partnered with Olive Magazine (also published by Immediate Media) to bring you the very best recipes for cyclists. All the recipes are easy to follow and take you through step-by-step how to create everything from homemade nutrition products to tasty and hearty post-ride meals.
One of the fun things about making smoothies is experimentation — you can blend pretty much anything together.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean it will taste nice! Spinach and pear = delicious. Beetroot and banana = not so delicious.
So while we advocate a little kitchen-based creativity, if you're after something that's guaranteed to taste good then check our our lip-smacking smoothie recipes below.
Healthy coconut smoothie
If you like pina coladas, and riding bikes in the rain... or the sunshine, then this is the smoothie for you. This tropical-inspired smoothie contains just four ingredients and can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. It's sweet, fragrant and refreshing all in one.
Top tip: turn this smoothie into delicious ice lollies! Just get yourself a lolly mould, pour in the smoothie mix, add sticks, then freeze. So, next time you're hot after riding in the sunshine you'll have an icy treat waiting for you.
Turmeric and mango lassi
Enjoy this sweet and spicy drink, based around sweet mango and finished with black pepper, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. It's fragrant and sweet enough to satisfy those dessert cravings, but uses the natural sweetness of the mango with honey or maple syrup.
The turmeric is an interesting addition. Widely regarded as a 'superfood', there is indeed some clinical evidence that it — or, to be more accurate the curcumin it contains — has anti-inflammatory effects.
Two-tone freezer smoothie
You can pack a fair chunk of your five-a-day fruit and veg into one drink with this one! Avocado and spinach might seem unlikely ingredients for something that tastes sweet, but they work surprisingly well, with the avocado adding creaminess without the need for milk or yogurt.
There's also kiwi, apple, blueberries and lime in this fancy smoothie, and while you can just blend everything up together, it looks much more impressive if you take the time to make two blends and layer them.
The perfect drink for impressing your cycling buddies post-ride when they pop back to yours for a drink, maybe?
Almond milk smoothie
If you're in a rush in the morning and don't have time to eat hot porridge or cereal, then this is the smoothie for you. Blending banana, almond milk and oats, it's breakfast in a glass, and the dash of cinnamon and nutmeg spice things up nicely.
You can also make this up the night before a busy day, so in the morning all you need to do is grab and go.
Berry smoothie
Packed full of blueberry goodness, this refreshing smoothie hides a secret — it's creaminess comes from avocados! Well, that and bananas. This makes it a great choice if you're avoiding dairy, and we like the zing that the squeeze of lime juice adds.
Strawberry and almond breakfast smoothie
A dash of almond butter and splash of almond milk add a deliciously nutty twist to this fruity smoothie. The classic pairing of strawberry and banana, plus a bundle of porridge oats, makes this a tasty and quick way to fuel your day — and a drizzle of honey adds sweetness. Yum!
Supergreen smoothie
Get yourself a glass of green goodness!
This is the perfect way to get a load of refreshing green veg into you, especially if you don't fancy eating them the savoury way.
This smoothie blends cucumber, avocado and spinach with kiwi and a dash of lime juice.
It's quite possibly the perfect way to wake your taste buds in the morning, or pick yourself up after a long, hot ride.
