in both the "Ultimate Ride" and "Cyclist's Training Bible", the authors recommend 3 weeks in training, then a week off for recovery. for Masters, it is 2 weeks in training, then a week off.
although i'm considered a Master (i'm 47), i'm struggling with the concept of a week off. on one hand, it would probably prevent burnout. on the other hand, i don't want to lose any fitness gains i'm making, or put on any excess poundage during the off week.
my normal routing is to ride Sat & Sun (approx. 45 miles each day), then Tue and Thur (two 18 mile one-way rides communting to and from the office). the intensity of my rides is reasonably high -- HR usually averages 140 (my max is 176) and wattage averages 235 (LT is approx. 290). i have a few good, long climbs on my routes and i take them all at my climbing repeat threshold (315 watts).
i'm not sure if i am riding enough to warrant a week off after 3 weeks of riding. what are others doing?