Frydolin

This summer I took some pretty wild bike trips approaching 60 miles each and a relatively intense pace. On top of that I've been putting a lot of intense miles in on a day-to-day basis. I was in pretty amazing shape in May, June and through about the middle of July and then something went wrong. I realized that I couldn't go as hard and as far as I had the previous month. I felt like I hit a wall. Then I researched over-training and I think I have some of the symptoms:

Reduced endurance, increased resting heart-rate, some joint discomfort, fatigue, etc.

I suspect my tendency to skip meals and my fluctuating sleep patterns had something to do with it. I haven't seen a doctor because I'm on a very strict budget and I don't think this sort of thing even warrants a doctor's visit unless there is some underlying illness, but I'm pretty sure I over-trained. My question to you is how long should I rest before I start putting in my regular mileage again? Have you ever been faced with this situation? How did you overcome it?

IvyCap

From what you say, skipping meals and sleep patterns do affect your overall health as well. You should still continue to ride but try interval mileages. It seems like you went all out in a short span of time and your body needs a routine change to keep things fresh. Just like any athlete you've got to experiment with different methods of training in order to tackle various obstacles and in this case some interval training will make you work harder somedays and relax on other days while still putting in some seat time. Eating is extremely important otherwise you'll start to burn more calories than you have consumed which tips the balance. And bad sleeping habits makes for bad eating habits as well.

Machka 

Take a week off and do other things like going for a walk to the park.

When you return to riding, go for some relaxed rides ... smell the roses types of rides.

Do you have kids? If so, this is a great opportunity to spend some time with them, riding at their pace.

rdtompki

+1. And if you don't have kids you'll have more time to do something about that shortcoming

ThermionicScott 

There is no overtraining, just under-eating and under-sleeping.

SlowNeasy

You mean Tricycle Motors ?

Years ago when I trained, I found I had to have at least an easy day if not a rest day after really hard days. Otherwise I seemed to weaken and loose ground. Wheather it's running, biking or weights you need to let the tired muscles repair themselves and get stronger. FWIW I found the resting heart rate on waking a sure fatigue indicator.
Be safe.
Dave.

Wolfvegas

I just did a good loooooooooong hard ride while I had norwalk virus and strep throat (I thought it was jet lag and dry thoat due to the plane) boy oh boy am I paying for it now