running your battery down

[solobiker]

I think cross training would be the best bet. The body tends to get "used" to the same type of activity so it becomes more effecient at that particular task..such as riding a bike. During the winter months you can challenge the same muscles in different ways which in return can increase your stamina, power, and endurance. Well, that is just my .02

[lunacycles]

As someone who used to train all the time, cross-training in the winter, training and racing March through September year after year after year after year....I think there is some merit to the advice to simply rest during the winter. Not completely, but more than you possibly allow yourself when the weather is great, the air is warm, and you itch to ride all the time. I have battled and seen many of my friends battle illness and things like chronic fatigue due to, imo, too much exercise. Exercise, like anything, can be addictive, so, as all things, done best in moderation--and if moderation during the summer isn't your thing, winter is an excellent opportunity to practice.

I also see it as respecting the natural cycles of life. Winter is about losing your metaphorical leaves, shutting down, slowing the metabolism. Or maybe that's just my excuse as I am presently enjoying the sofa, pizza, beer, and relative inactivity during a beautiful winter here, except for the occasional ride and daily dog walks. And getting middlin' of age, I am also--as a result--enjoying watching my middle grow

[sundial]

The article also mentioned about people who become a January "star". What does that mean? Pushing the miles at the start of the new year? It also pointed out the pro cyclists usually take off November and December and then start training again by January.

I'll say this much. I rode April '07--March '08 and ended up overtraining by March and lost most of March because of it. What I've noticed this year is that by November the idea of even sitting on a saddle seemed almost repulsive to me. So I think I'll check out of cycling through December and may noodle around some on the mtb just to keep my legs somewhat conditioned.