Originally Posted by TMonk

ive been off the bike for extended periods due to injury, and not much else. my extent of training and racing has waxed and waned, but I've generally been in shape to finish mid pack for the last twenty or so years

for me it takes me 2-3 months to get most of the way back, in power or raw physicality. that last 5-10% takes hard work. but, ive never dealt with really serious injury or gained a lot of weight. i actually weigh less when im not riding a ton. i get a bit bloated when im eating a lot and drinking a ton of water.