hi runnergirl - I dont know that my response will be a lot of help from a racing standpoint but I am a former bodybuilder and i generally keep my bodyfat pretty low year round. Im usually about 12 in my "off season" and 9 ish right now. For me the secret is moderation in eating year round and not letting it drift much higher. I do eat whatever I want once or twice a week and the rest of the week its fairly high protein, lo fat and moderate carbs. The challenge for me with cycling is making sure I get enough carbs to get me through the rides. I find that cycling definately has helped me keep the bodyfat low and I am able to eat more calories now that I am riding about 5 times a week (plus indoor cardio like the elliptical trainer). I know it sounds like a lot of sacrifice but keeping my weight and bodyfat down helps tremendously with pretty much any endurance type sport. I have a pic on yahoo member profiles under the name musclicious505 if you wanna see how about 7 ish percent looks on me. Im not a bodybuilder anymore but still compete now and then in figure contests and hope to try racing next summer.