Zesty Cucumber Blast

Cucumbers contain 96 per cent water – but they also have added vitamin C, as well as a lovely refreshing taste that blends well with high iron spinach and lime. The cayenne pepper adds a little kick, and is also known for reducing inflammation, whilst coconut water will add to the water content as well as providing five essential electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium) lost through sweat.

Simply blend it all up…

• 1 Cup Spinach
• ¼  Cucumber
• ½  Lime, juiced
• ½ Teaspoon Lime Zest
• ½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• ½ Stalk Celery
• 1 Pinch Salt
• 1 Cup Coconut Water

Fresh Strawberry Gazpacho

We don’t tend to associate soup with being cooling, and we don’t tend to associate strawberrys with soup – but all the rules go out the window when you cook up a batch of cold soup, or gazpacho.

This great looking recipe really tingled our taste buds. It looks like a fantastic starter if you’re cooking up a storm for friends, but all of the ingredients are supermarket staples and easy to get hold of.

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, as are tomatoes – so you’re giving your immune system what it needs, whilst the avocado and olive oil will provide healthy fats, which also happen to complement the taste of basil and balsamic vinegar beautifully.

This one does have a few more stages, check out the instructions below…

• ½ Pound Fresh Strawberries, stems removed
• ½ Pound Fresh Strawberries, diced
• 1   Seedless Cucumber, dice half of cucumber
• 1 Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes, 28oz
• 1   Large White Onion, diced
• 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Pepper, freshly ground
• 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 10 Leaves Fresh Basil
• 1   Large Avocado, diced
• 6   Scallions (small spring onions), diced

How to instructions:

1. Blend the whole strawberries with cucumber, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, 5 basil leaves, sea salt, and pepper
2. Transfer into a large glass container. Add chopped basil, diced strawberries, diced cucumber, and diced onions.
3. Let everything chill in the refrigerator overnight. Garnish with diced avocado and diced scallions for a little crunch and colour.

Raspberry Sorbet

Frozen berry sorbet is pretty much our favourite dessert! It’s insanely easy, and super healthy too.

The recipe we found uses frozen berries, water and honey – which will create a light and fruity sorbet. If you want something a bit more filling, with a protein advantage, you can also use frozen berries and greek yoghurt.

Here are the sorbet ingredients – you very simply just need to blend them up, and serve…

• 1 Cup Raspberries, frozen
• 3 Tablespoons Water
• 2 Teaspoons Honey

Berry Green Layered Blast

Honestly? We mainly picked this one becasue its clever use of science (and weight balancing) makes it look really cool. But the strawberries, kiwi and mango, alongside electrolyte high coconut water are bound to have you feeling refreshed in no time. Add in a little cashew protein and iron-high spinach, and you’ve got a  blend to be proud of.

You do of course have to create two mixtures for this one, the instructions are below..

To make the green layer:

• 1 Cup Spinach
• 1   Kiwi
• 1 Tablespoon Cashews
• 1 Dash Vanilla
• ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

For the pink layer…

• 1 Cup Strawberries
• ½ Cup Mango
• 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk

Pour the pink layer on top of the green, and add a strawberry for decoration if you fancy.

All of these blends look like they’d make incredible post-ride boosts, and there are even more recipe ideas here.

Of course, it’s important that you stay hydrated ON the bike as well. For tips and tricks to ensure you don’t lose any vital performance percentage points due to dehydration, check out this guide.