Need help balancing conflicting training goals
 

I am riding my bike as much as I have been able to (see some other threads in the road forum) as well as swimming, running and tennis. I am running into a head on collision between my wish to do intense recreational cycling in the hopes to be able to race in a year or two, and my weight lifting routine that is primarily centered on building muscle in the chest, shoulders, back and strengthening my legs. As a result of my lifting routine my diet has been 5-6 meals a day, generally fairly high protein (granola, yoghurt, salad, nuts, whey protein shakes, etc...) moderate carbs. Generally my carbs are coming from pasta, bagels, rice or granola. Now this issue of course is that my riding is burning a ton of calories that might normally might be going towards muscle growth. Don't get my wrong, I am not trying to bulk up really. Not trying to become a muscle bound goon. I am just trying to add defenition and get a little more cut. It is sort of a vanity thing I suppose. I take my cycling mentally and physically more seriously, and I am wondering if you guys have any diet or routine advice. I feel like I am progressing well on my lifting schedule, and now that I am back on my bike, the added strength in my legs and lower back is making a significant different. I just feel like I am tiring more easily, and as I phase my riding back in more intensly, that it might interfere more with lifting. Any thoughts? Anyone else have this issue? Sorry if this is all a little muddled.

where are you at right now? underweight/overweight thin build/husky?

Very underweight. 6'4" 155ish pounds, 19 years old. Very little body fat, but not to the point of abs showing. But also not much muscle outside my legs.

I don't know if this helps you with my build at all, but this was me a little bit ago.
http://www.earlham.edu/~friblbe/me.jpg

Do what you want to do. If you get the racing bug you can cut out lifting. Until then, have fun.

What works for me (6' 140lbs) is to make most of my calories in the morning and lunch as carb based(I do morning rides/runs and ride to work) and I eat a high protein dinner and a whey protein shake after workout(gym time usually come around 8pm). While this routine has not packed any pounds of muscle on, it has leaned me out to where I have pretty good definition and dont carry any extra mass.

You might be interested in this book, it could help you combine your goals a bit:

Weight Training for Cyclists

Glad to meet someone else with a BMI precipitously low! I'll what I can, the other issue with my working out/eating is a very intense class schedule. Curious, but how old are you?
I'll have to check out that Weight Training for Cyclists book.