I have read your posts and you honestly sound like me at the beginning of the season.

- If you have been training for a long time you will not lose appricable fitness from taking a few days or even a week off.

- You need to listen to your body... body says take time off, take time off

- Many periodization plans have a light week after 3 hard weeks... just what your body needs.

Last week I rode 8 days straight with a 60 miler on the last day. My body sent me a big sign that enough was enough and to take a day off (i.e. falling asleep behind the wheel after a ride). I took a day off and on Sunday I was riding harder then ever.

Rest and you will get faster...