Couple questions.....experts

Many use ice baths as a recovery aid after long runs and bikes and the suggested length is 15 minutes.  I have yet to try it.  If the ice pool is really cold, it may be able to substitute for that.  If it's just room temp water, it my not help as much.

I try to avoid the hot tub after workout - don't really know why, except I would just like to cool off, not sit in hot water.  I may get into it before a swim, if I'm waiting for a lane.  Other than a means to relax, I'm not sure if a hot tub has much of a theraputic advantage over not using it.

for me the ice bath or plunge pool helps to restrict some blood flow and seems to cause less inflamation and therfore aids in recovery. 

HOt tubs are also great, they help to lossen things up.

Why not do both?  Go plunge pool/ice bath for 15 min then hot tub.  ALthough I havnt had acess to the hot tub after my recovery runs I used to do the plunge pool/hot tub/steam shower routine often while on business in Europe (they seem to have these at all hotels over there)

Ice baths are great for recovery. 15min with a water temp of 50 - 55 deg F.

I am not sure about a hot tub for post run/ride, I would use that pre workout to warm everything up. I say stick with the cold for post workout.

Oh you might want to get neoprene toe socks (just cover your toes) if you are going to spend 15 min in 50 deg water they really help.

If you google ice baths for recovery you will find a wealth of info as I did.

I used ice baths recently when my legs were not recovering as fast as I would liked and I noticed a big improvement, I would Ice bath for 10 minutes then take a warm shower.

Ice baths are great after intense or long training. Hot tubs are fun but I would avoid hot water immediately after a session to avoid inflammation, but a hot tub can be nice on a recovery day to relax and loosen up.

BTW, Ice baths are not as bad when you are really hot and hurting after a hard session.