Training & Nutrition - Muscle Mass and rest weeks...

Alright something I have noticed. My last race was Sunday, Redlands. I told myself nice recovery week this week and then hit the intervals, fast group rides, hill climbing etc next week. I took Monday off, did I nice 30 mile ride (with the crash) on Tuesday, a little knee loosening MTB around the block today, very minimal intensity and hopefully a nice slower aerobic work the knee out 30 or so miles (listening to my body) tomarrow... fine.

This week I gained nearly 1 pound, but my eating habits have been lower calories, etc. I would assume it is muscle mass rebuilding, meaning I am getting stronger. It seems though that my quads are getting a tiny bit smaller this week. Maybe it is my imagination but is that normal for a rest week? My calves do seem to be getting bigger though? Ideas?

I am going for a hard group ride Sunday so I should see if I am indeed faster...

One thing I have noticed is I do not wake up with sore quads after about 2 days... good thing :D

Could be variation in the scales. The ones we have here at work do that. You can weigh yourself, immediately step off, reset and weigh again and you'll get a different weight.

Alright something I have noticed. My last race was Sunday, Redlands. I told myself nice recovery week this week and then hit the intervals, fast group rides, hill climbing etc next week. I took Monday off, did I nice 30 mile ride (with the crash) on Tuesday, a little knee loosening MTB around the block today, very minimal intensity and hopefully a nice slower aerobic work the knee out 30 or so miles (listening to my body) tomarrow... fine.

This week I gained nearly 1 pound, but my eating habits have been lower calories, etc. I would assume it is muscle mass rebuilding, meaning I am getting stronger. It seems though that my quads are getting a tiny bit smaller this week. Maybe it is my imagination but is that normal for a rest week? My calves do seem to be getting bigger though? Ideas?

I am going for a hard group ride Sunday so I should see if I am indeed faster...

One thing I have noticed is I do not wake up with sore quads after about 2 days... good thing :D
since this is a rest week, it could be that your glycogen is just replenishing itself. remember, your body can store ~400 grams of glycogen, and thats a pound right there. Also, each gram of glycogen holds about 3 grams of water, so thats another three pounds. If you were seriously overtraining, your glycogen was probably depleted, and your just starting to restore it on your rest week.

since this is a rest week, it could be that your glycogen is just replenishing itself. remember, your body can store ~400 grams of glycogen, and thats a pound right there. Also, each gram of glycogen holds about 3 grams of water, so thats another three pounds. If you were seriously overtraining, your glycogen was probably depleted, and your just starting to restore it on your rest week.

Ahh, so that's what's happening! I've noticed that after a period of hard riding I'll lose about 4-5 pounds, and then put it on again over the next few days.