petalpower

I'm getting ready for my yearly trip back to Italy for 4-5 weeks. I'd be able to ride perhaps 3 of the 5 weeks as not all the time will be spent in one place ( have to head south to visit the wife's family). 3 weeks of riding, best case ( weather would be an issue - rain + cold ).

I'm thinking about either buying a frame and wheels and having them shipped there ( I would bring the components in my luggage ) and assemble the bike when there. It's give me a reason to upgrade from Shimano 105 to SRAM Red on my current bike.

I can also just bring my jump rope, running sneakers, and some elastic bands, and make the trip somewhat of a recovery time off the bike. I'm thinking this might be a good idea as I've logged 7K miles this year - my first ever on a bicycle and my body is probably ready for some rest - but what do I know.

What do you guys think?

FlashBazbo

Is 4/5 weeks off the bike too much?

How old are you? If you're 30, probably not. You'll regain fitness fairly quickly. If you're 50 (like I am), yes, 4/5 weeks off the bike probably IS too much.

LowCel 

Personally I couldn't take the time off. Riding in Italy would be a dream come true.

rangerdavid

This. If I took that amount of time off I might as well quit. If you are young, you could probably do it unless you want to race or be competitive, in which case that is way too much time off the bike.

Bacciagalupe

In general, most people start to lose their fitness after about 2 weeks of inactivity.

If you do something aerobic for most of the time, you are unlikely to lose too much. I'm not sure what your options are, but I'd see if there is some kind of gym in the areas you're staying. If not, then it's time to take up running.

ridethecliche

Ride. In. Italy.

petalpower

I'm 34. I do plan on racing next year, but am also a realist in knowing that I wont be making a living racing bicycles.

How much time to pro's and domestic pro's take off? I've read Friel's book, and I remember him mentioning taking some time off ( I don't recall how much exactly ).

Like I said, If I decide to NOT bring a bicycle ( the only reason I'm thinking about not bringing one is the ROYAL PITA it is to lug luggage around Italy, and more specifically, their mass transit system ) I'll DEFINITELY bring my running shoes, jump rope, and resistance bands. Last year, I ran every day.

roadiejorge 

Definitely. I rarely take time off the bike because I don't like having to regain that fitness so other than a day off to recover or just break the routine I keep at it. When I travel I get my hands on a bike of some sort and ride around though that's becoming increasingly difficult when traveling with family, especially abroad when we have pretty busy itineraries.

obiwan kenobi

You can take 4-5 weeks off but plan on taking 2 months or more to return to the level of fitness you were at when you stopped riding. I took a month off due to illness and @ 2 months I am still not at the level I was prior. If it were me, I would find a way to get my bike to Italy and ride.

merlinextraligh

Depends on what your goals are. If you race, 4-5 weeks of no riding, even in the fall is likely not the best idea. Although, if your racing season starts late in the spring, not riding for 4 weeks in October is not going to kill you.

If your goal is to be healthy and fit, then just do what makes you happy, stay active, but don't feel like you have to ride, unless you want to.

merlinextraligh

I missed that post. Again I think it goes back to the timing for the start of your racing season. In Florida we finish in October, and start in January. I typically take 2 weeks off around the end of October. I still will ride, but nothing scheduled, and do others things like kayaking.

Then base starts Nov 1, and real race prep late Dec, first of January.

So, even in Florida, you'd be ok with 4 weeks of no bike in late September, early October.

Given that you haven't raced before, you'll likely need more time to get race ready, than if you had years of racing in your legs.

But if you assume you want to start your season say March 1, you'll be fine with starting your formal training after your return from Italy.

All that said, you really do want torent a bike and experience ridining in Italy.

BillyD

I take winters off. Start fresh in the spring. Works for me.

No way I wouldn't ride in Italy.