Rest Days?

[Catrin]

In the past I've swung between trying to take two rest days a week - either two full or one active and one full, to taking one when my legs ask for it. Obviously the latter is a bad idea... During the recent 12 days of exercise I DID mix up both activity and intensity level - it wasn't all riding.

I think the following is reasonable as a guideline - at least as a start. Obviously weather, schedule, and fatigue will have input on this.

M: full rest day. NO exercise. Period
T: gym (weights or metabolic training)
Wed: easy ride or easy mtb
Th: gym (weights or metabolic training)
F: bike commute
S: long ride or MTB
S: medium ride/MTB or hike

I greatly appreciate the discussion and examples, it is helpful. Part of my problem is I don't typically get sore until I've tweaked an old injury or have a new one...outside of deadlifting if I've not done that in a long time.

I really like the idea of a play ride, but there isn't much of a chance for this unless I take my bike somewhere else...I would love to be able just to get out and ride to little ethnic food shops or something like that, but there isn't a real option for that unless I am willing to make it a long ride day. I live where I do because I've easy riding access to country roads, and it works well for that.