Good, and direct, points...and well taken. I've been quite resistant to taking time off because walking has caused just as much discomfort as biking - and even hiking difficult terrain no longer raises my heart rate above 95. So I figured if walking has the same effect as biking, then why stay off the bike?

Friday's discomfort may simply have been because I went riding after strength training. I will go for a gentle ride today - and if there is any discomfort at all, I will take the week off the bike.

As Lisa pointed out however, walking serves more purposes than cardiovascular and while I do walk several times a week, I will do more of it.