> It's called PERIODIZATION. If you're not putting together an effective training program and you're full on all the time, you'll find yourself getting slower and slower. <

Well, I'm not doing a training program, but neither am on "full on". I used to push pretty hard almost every ride, but once I reached the point where I could do 15 mph for my first 11 miles while just maintaining a good cruise, I pretty much stopped going all out completely. While I'd like to be even faster, I am pretty happy being able to do that.

> Please, no intervals. <

Now that is an interesting comment. Everyone else has told me I need to do intervals!

Right now, I am sorta being forced to take at least somewhat of a break. I have not ridden two days in a row. I have done shorter rides - though I did do some intervals on some of them, I didn't ride today and probably won't be able to ride again until Monday. Don't know what you define as time off the bike - few days, just reduced riding (like I'm already doing) each week, or weeks of no riding.

It would be nice to get a scientific measurement of what I'm doing. Is that something than is hard to find or is it the kind of thing you might find at any good health club?