Just to throw it out there (I'm no expert); but there's a lot of smart people out there suggesting that "Active Recovery" is really effective. i.e., a light jog, power walk, or a light spin in an easy gear on level roads, etc., instead of just resting. I've been following that practice with my running (only now getting into cycling) and I actually feel a lot better, and progress faster; having "active recovery days" instead of "rest days".