Originally Posted by
spinconn
Great comments guys, and informative, but they deal with why you do not want to ride without taking days off. But how about needing to (other than for weather, sickness, etc). From a strictly physical standpoint do you not need a day a week to recover your muscles or is that not an issue going slowly in lower gears?
Zero days are an interesting. A few days off I've done something "interesting" like going whitewater rafting, or doing a day hike. The next day was hard after those zero days -- they weren't all that restful! But when touring, I'll often do a lot of sitting or lying down when I get off the bike, rather than gardening, mowing, or household chores like I do at home. That lets my muscles rest and recharge so I'm ready for the next day's ride.
Most of the training plans I've seen for fitness (century rides) or racing call for a day or two off every week. I'd guess while touring, overall, I take a day off the bike every two or three weeks. It's also quite possible to do a half-day ride when you're tired while touring, which surprisingly often leaves me fresher the next day than sitting in a camp or motel room does.