Training & Nutrition - Taking time off

I have been riding or running steady for the past fifteen months, without having taken any extended time off. I have been racing (MTB mostly) and just finished a four hour race this Sunday. I would like to take a week off from exercising. I have some projects around the house that need to get done and other things I'd like to do. However, I am the type of personality who finds something as a hobby and then devotes all their time and energy to the hobby. I have a lot of hobbies (woodworking/woodturning, reading, photography, etc.) that I devote alot of attention to, then stop for awhile, then pick up again. I'd like to think that cycling and fitness is no longer a "hobby" but has become a lifestyle change, but I'm really concerned that if I take a week off I will stop and revert back to my slovenly lifestyle.

Anyone else have this problem? Do most people take a "vactation" from cycling?

nope i get very up tight and aggressive after 3 days without training. most after a prolonged time training just cant give it up for to long, a week away should be fine and give your body a good rest to. think you'l find you'll come fitter and strong then before.

nope i get very up tight and aggressive after 3 days without training. most after a prolonged time training just cant give it up for to long, a week away should be fine and give your body a good rest to. think you'l find you'll come back fitter and strong then before.

Vacation form cycling?!?! Are you crazy?
.
.
.
.
I do go for a few days every now and then where I don't push it, but I always ride, every day, just like it too much, and I don't feel right if I don't.

I use a bike as my principal transportation, so a vacation from it is out of the question.

But if you use a bike primarily for training, the answer might be different. Try reading about "periodization." It is a basic training concept and covers the interesting question you have raised. "Cross training" is another issue that might interest you.

I just took a week off for a motorcycle trip and got back last night. Today I rode and felt great - was suprised to be as fast, if not even a little stronger than before I left. I did notice, however, that my heart rate was up about 5-10 pts overall, but hardly anything to worry about. I have heard that a week off every 3 months or so is a good thing in most sports, for full recovery.

boy...for the first time, i stay away from my bike for a continous 3 days.I stopped since tuesday and start back my ride today(friday). Guess what? I wasnt in form at all. On the other hand, im on the plan to rebuild my training programme which start next week. So, i thought maybe i`ll be off the bike for a whole week. Lucky that i tried to ride today. Now i know how much my performance dropped... ;(

I just took 2 weeks off from an accident. I had done a century tour with a bunch of people, recovery ride the following evening, and got hit right at the end of the ride. Finaly setup my bike on the trainner today because my chest is still to soar to handle all the physcial pressure of out on the road, but i just couldn't sit around anymore. Felt really good, still feels good now actually to have that soar muscle pain, but i did notice my knee was really stiff, and i started going numb from sitting on the saddle. After one week off i felt great, all my muscle's were nice and relaxed and felt strong, another week later and i'm starting to feel kinda floppy.

Seems like ending off on a big hard ride, then a light recovery ride. with a week off would be a fairly good combination.