Training & Nutrition - training "season" so to speak

do you guys who race train hard throughout the whole winter, or do you let up on your intensity until, say, late january.early feb., and then pick it it before the season starts up again? just curious about what y'all do with your schedules to prevent overtraining or burning out.

In the middle of October, I started my transition period, where my activity level dropped dramatically. This doesn't mean just get off the bike and do nothing. For me, it means pick up hockey twice per week, some light jogging, yoga, and a little riding. I'll be doing this for about six weeks, then I'll start foundation, where I'll be in the weight room doing leg presses and stuff like that. I'll also be on the bike working on my aerobic capacity through endurance miles. This will last another six weeks, then I'll start preparation for racing with lots of interval sets and high intensity workouts. If you want a great plan, get Chris Carmichael's "The Ultimate Ride"- great book, can't go wrong...

I've increased my milage, but dropped my intensity like whoa. I'm also doing some weights...mainly to keep up power since I'm intending to trim some bodyfat this season.