Originally Posted by Deet

Hi all

Wonder if anyone could advise on taking breaks in training.

I started cycling regularly a couple of months ago, primarily to prepare for a bit of a trip I'm doing with some mates later in the year, and have found I really enjoy it. I've started commuting every day, round trip is 17 miles, elevation's about 250m so not majorly hilly. Hills were probably the thing that kept me from cycling more in the past, I'm pretty big, 6'6", 224lbs, and they don't like me so I'd really like to get as much practice on them as possible.

I'd like to keep commuting every day and then either do a couple of hours hill training on a Saturday then gradually longer (not hilly) rides on a Sunday to get me ready for the long days in the saddle on the trip. I understand, though, that breaks in training are where the improvement takes effect. Are my commute trips enough to be considered training and as such should I only be riding one day on the weekends? One thing I could do is vary my commute route to take in some more hills or something and so not do a hill day at the weekend but living in London that means just going through Highgate a couple of times a day (not exactly the Alps but it's got Swain's Lane!).

So tl:dr, do I need day off?

Thanks for any advice you can give.