This time of the year marks that period between the end of a long season but just before the proper winter training period begins.
But before you get set to thrown yourself into the winter, pause and have a think about what you're doing.
Some riders are burned out, dispirited, lacking in motivation and have no clear goals for next season.
Others can be at the opposite end of the spectrum – raring to go and reluctant to give up their hard-won fitness.
A1 Coaching's Anthony Walsh gives us his tips for that all important period between the sportive and racing season ending - now for some, in a few weeks for others - and the beginning of proper winter training.
1. Rest and recover
Rest is a crucial part of achieving optimum performance. When we train hard we only create the potential for improvement.
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Fitness is actually realised after a period of structured rest and adaptation. Therefore, proper training is a series of efforts and rests, and this is the time for your major annual rest.
A period off the bike is necessary to mentally and physically recharge, and to come back to the bike hungry and healthy.
2. Let go of that fitness
You’ve spent all season logging miles, building condition and sticking to a plan. You are very fit now and maybe reluctant to take a break and lose it. Don’t make that mistake.
Your 2020 campaign depends on you letting go of your current level so you can start to rebuild for a long season ahead.
3. Allow hormone balance readjust
The body produces the hormone cortisol in response to stressors, whether physical or mental. Cortisol profoundly affects our quality of sleep and thus our ability to fully recover.
A long season of balancing work, family and training obligations can result in a build up of cortisol. Use your off season to de-stress and return to baseline cortisol levels.
4. Renew relationships
Cycling can be all-absorbing. Throughout the season you’ve missed friends’ birthdays, gone home early on nights out or influenced the structure of family vacations.
Maybe you’ve strained a lot of personal relationships. Use this down-time to rebuild.
5. Enjoy other activities
We avoid other sports or activity during the season as we are wary of injury or residual fatigue. We choose not to play football with our friends or golf with our co-workers.
Use this time to remedy that and enjoy other activities.
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Also, engaging in weight-bearing activities such as hiking, walking or running can act as a counterpoint to a season of cycling and improve bone density.
6. Review and plan
Whether your target for next season is the Ring of Kerry or a podium in a National Championships, it’s important not to just drift through the off-season without a plan.
A critical review of last season now, both in terms of performance and enjoyment will help you identify obstacles to success.
I always recommend athletes sit down with a friend, teammate or coach because we often lack objectivity when it comes to assessing our own ability.
We may view ourselves as a ‘sprinter’ and thus justify our poor climbing ability, but a teammate may view us as an average sprinter who is too heavy for the hills.
This critical assessment of last season will help you plan smart goals for the season to come.
7. Watch the diet
A little extra attention to diet now will ensure you hit the training period without much excess weight.
Winter is not the time to pack on excess weight and then face months of the competitive season trying to shift it. So, don’t let your defences down too much.
Avoid eating three hours before bed and be careful of those excess calories, especially in the form of soft drinks, beers and confectionery.
Enjoy the nice things, but in moderation, and snack on fruit, nuts and nut-butters instead of sugary snacks.
8. Get a check-up
Mark Cavendish was much below his usual standards for much of the 2012 season due to extensive dental work which needed to be carried out in the early part of the season.
A full medical check in the inter-season period could pre-empt problems before they materialise further down the road.
9. Examine infrastructure for success
The inter-season is a time to ensure we have the necessary training infrastructure in place. Do we have a functioning winter training bike?
An adequate indoor training solution? A coach? Do we need to renew or replace equipment for next year? Does that head-bearing in your best bike need replacement?
Time will be a commodity in short supply when training for 2016 starts, so use your excess time now to ensure that you have the best infrastructure for the year ahead.
10. Celebrate and appreciate
Many of us have high expectations and we can be hard on ourselves. We can view the season past as a glass half-empty rather than a glass half-full.
Whether your season was good, bad or indifferent, celebrate your efforts and appreciate the health, fitness and wonderful sport that you have.
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