I have just decided to take training (and overtraining!) more seriously, as I have had a constant yo-yo of overtraining and injuries. I have been using Friel's "The Cyclist's Training Bible" to design an annual training plan, starting late October. Anyhow, he recommends a 6 week "transition" period at the end of the season, during which one tries to stay off the bike, but relatively active at low durations (ie swimming, running, soccer, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc)- more playing than training. For me, for example, with 500 hours/year to train, that is 7 hours of non-biking activity a week during transition. From here one moves into base training (increasing volume, low intensity), then build (increasing intensity), then into peaking and racing. Reading Friel has really hammered the importance of recovery into my head.