Billy1111

Ive been riding a couple years. The past year has been the first time i did any distance and gave some real effort. I average around 200 miles/week consisting of 5/6 20-25 miles rides during the week with like a 75 miler on the weekend. The rides during the week I alternate easy to a full effort rides. I dont race nor plan to put just want to keep making gains. Can i just go on like this all the time or need to take "time off the bike" to give a rest??

pacalolo

Keep on trucking.

Voodoo76

Don't really know enough to say if its a necessity now. But if you "keep making gains" at some point the increases in volume and intensity that naturally follow will start to break you down.

Why not get in the habit of cycling your time now? Every 3rd or 4th week just drop volume by 30% to 40%. Keep the intensity pattern the same but now your 1.5 to 2 hrs mid week is an hour, and your long ride is more like 2. Do it even if you don't feel gassed, will help keep you fresh physically and mentally.

Wileyrat

Your body will let you know if you need to take a break.

jordanair45

You can keep it up. Your body will let you know when it's tired. Then you can take some time off. Once you start getting fatigue signs. Nice work.

Dirt Farmer

I like Grant Peterson's advice: give it a rest once in a while. Go walking, or hiking, or do some cross-fit, or?? It'll do you good.

pdedes

periodization is great even if you aren't competing. rhythm, ebb and flow of fitness are not only great for your body but necessary for your mind. if you choose to periodize, make sure there's an outlet when you reach an athletic peak; a grand fondo, a race, a particularly long ride, a cycling vacation.

Ilbiker

Good advice. Plus, change it up. Your body will adapt to what you're doing and you will plateau. Definitely don't be afraid to take off days. Your body doesn't get stronger while working out, it does so while you're resting. Like has been said, throw in some strength and core work which will make your cycling stronger. Experimenting is fun and keeps things from getting boring. There's a ton of info out there, plus other experienced cyclists. I just hooked up with the local multisport group now that I'm riding again. Just gotta work on the swim part. Lol. This will give me a whole new set of things to obsess over.

Billy1111

thanx for the replies, i think i will start scaling back and perhaps try voodoo's advice for bit. by any chance does anyone use strava's fitness and freshness thingy?

Ilbiker

I just listen to my body. I ran a 5K race yesterday. Felt pretty good afterwards so I rested a bit and then did some yard work. Today, zip. Just took it easy. Well, not exactly. We adopted a couple of kittens to add the pack. We'll see how the dogs do. Tomorrow, I'll ease back into riding and running. I have just one more 5K on turkey day. After that, I just run and now ride for the balance of the winter, no specific training plan. Things will be different next year since I'll be giving Tri's a try. Might or might not like it.

floridamtb

I tried doing what you are doing and found it didn't work. Mentally tiring, physically tiring after a while. So now I found what works for me. In the summer and fall I go as follows:
Monday - @24 mile recovery
Tuesday - rest day
Wed-Fri - 25-32 miles before work
Saturday - 50-75 miles
Sunday - 30-40 miles (or if a longer charity ride I'll swap the Saturday/Sunday routine)

Winter and spring I take Thursdays off as well. I found this keeps me mentally fresher year round. Then once or twice a year in winter I might take a full week off.