Take 2 weeks off between seasons?
12-07-03, 02:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Should I take a couple of weeks off?
This is my first full year of cycling, and I had a goal of 5,000 (outside) miles. I reached the 5,000 mark on Friday by doing 63 chilly miles. 
Once the clocks changed, and going outside during the week stopped, I jumped on my trainer. My "no daylight" schedule usually consists of outside riding on the weekend, and SPINeRVALS traing tapes 2-3 times during the week.
My question is:
Should I take 2 full weeks off? I've ridden 4-6 times a week all year long, except for 9 weeks off last Spring due to injury.
So do I take a break "between seasons" or does going down to 4 days a week in the off season provide enough rest?
Thanks.
Once the clocks changed, and going outside during the week stopped, I jumped on my trainer. My "no daylight" schedule usually consists of outside riding on the weekend, and SPINeRVALS traing tapes 2-3 times during the week.
My question is:
Should I take 2 full weeks off? I've ridden 4-6 times a week all year long, except for 9 weeks off last Spring due to injury.
So do I take a break "between seasons" or does going down to 4 days a week in the off season provide enough rest?
Thanks.
12-07-03, 02:55 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 118
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Everything I've read recommends a two week break and I've never regretted it. You're supposed to stay active, but I usually just plod around the gym a little. It is, however, a great period to spend a LOT of time with your family and friends. The hardest part is that feeling that something is missing - it's your *need* to go for a ride. This sport might fit the definition of an addiction. :-)
12-07-03, 06:20 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RobRyb
Everything I've read recommends a two week break and I've never regretted it. You're supposed to stay active, but I usually just plod around the gym a little. It is, however, a great period to spend a LOT of time with your family and friends. The hardest part is that feeling that something is missing - it's your *need* to go for a ride. This sport might fit the definition of an addiction. :-)
12-07-03, 06:47 PM
#5
We drive on the left.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 1,096
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am going to take 7 days off over Christmas to New Year. This will give me a chance to relax and sleep and not worry about cycling. Taking a break can be the best way to get motivated for the coming year.
CHEERS.
Mark
CHEERS.
Mark
12-07-03, 08:01 PM
#6
Crank Crushing Redneck
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: A van down by the river.
Posts: 2,600
Bikes: Bikes are environmentally damaging
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Time off for your body to rest is always good. Also, do a period of just easy riding for enjoymnet to further allow the body to gear up for the intense efforts to come.
12-08-03, 03:31 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 2,794
Bikes: litespeed, cannondale
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Unless you have been going at an incredibly intense level in your workouts, you body probably does not need a two week rest. People can crank out miles on bikes with not much problem at all.
That having been said, it is the emotional component to cycling that gets the vast majority of riders to stop not the physical component. It is better to ride for years then for a season. One of the secrets to riding for years is keep it focused on enjoying cycling. It is important that cycling not become a chore. People come up with reasons to avoid chores. If you make your riding a chore, pretty soon you will come up with a reason to stop riding.
It rather sounded to me that you were asking permission to take a 2 week break. You have done 5000 miles in your first year and that is a big achievement. You have certainly "earned" a 2 week break. If you want to do it, do it by all means. I have the feeling it will do your cycling good because after 2 weeks, you will probably enjoy it more.
That having been said, it is the emotional component to cycling that gets the vast majority of riders to stop not the physical component. It is better to ride for years then for a season. One of the secrets to riding for years is keep it focused on enjoying cycling. It is important that cycling not become a chore. People come up with reasons to avoid chores. If you make your riding a chore, pretty soon you will come up with a reason to stop riding.
It rather sounded to me that you were asking permission to take a 2 week break. You have done 5000 miles in your first year and that is a big achievement. You have certainly "earned" a 2 week break. If you want to do it, do it by all means. I have the feeling it will do your cycling good because after 2 weeks, you will probably enjoy it more.
12-08-03, 06:51 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Pat
Unless you have been going at an incredibly intense level in your workouts, you body probably does not need a two week rest. People can crank out miles on bikes with not much problem at all.
That having been said, it is the emotional component to cycling that gets the vast majority of riders to stop not the physical component. It is better to ride for years then for a season. One of the secrets to riding for years is keep it focused on enjoying cycling. It is important that cycling not become a chore. People come up with reasons to avoid chores. If you make your riding a chore, pretty soon you will come up with a reason to stop riding.
It rather sounded to me that you were asking permission to take a 2 week break. You have done 5000 miles in your first year and that is a big achievement. You have certainly "earned" a 2 week break. If you want to do it, do it by all means. I have the feeling it will do your cycling good because after 2 weeks, you will probably enjoy it more.
That having been said, it is the emotional component to cycling that gets the vast majority of riders to stop not the physical component. It is better to ride for years then for a season. One of the secrets to riding for years is keep it focused on enjoying cycling. It is important that cycling not become a chore. People come up with reasons to avoid chores. If you make your riding a chore, pretty soon you will come up with a reason to stop riding.
It rather sounded to me that you were asking permission to take a 2 week break. You have done 5000 miles in your first year and that is a big achievement. You have certainly "earned" a 2 week break. If you want to do it, do it by all means. I have the feeling it will do your cycling good because after 2 weeks, you will probably enjoy it more.
Just trying to do the right thing. It seems that "life" will give me all the rest I need. Last night my family and I just planned a week in Disney for mid February, no riding. We are also planning a trip to Colorado in the Spring where I wouldn't be able to ride, and oh yeah...business travel.
I decided to take 7 days off, my last ride was last Friday...so if I take 7 days off I can ride all this coming weekend
Just have to stay off the trainer this week...did someone mention CA (Cyclists Anonymous) 
