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.