Monitoring these indicators can help you avoid overtraining. If one or two indicators suggest you may be overtraining, then be careful. If you spot three or more red flags, then take some time off!

Personality/Disposition: Studies have shown that your mood is the strongest sign of overtraining. Anger, depression, a decrease in your sense of well being and especially lack of enthusiasm for riding are all signs of overtraining. Pay attention to your feelings, and to your family's comments.

Resting heart rate: Take your resting pulse in the morning before getting out of bed. An increase of 10% is a clue to back off on the training.

Performance: A short (10-15 minute), standardized time trial every week is another helpful tool. An increase in your time of a minute or so (not just a few seconds) is another red flag. A drop in your time trial heart rate of 10 bpm is another indicator of potential overtraining.

General fatigue: If you are feeling generally lethargic for several days, listen to your body.

General physical complaints: If you're having more minor complaints such as sore muscles, sore throat, and chronic diarrhea these may the result of overtraining. More frequent colds and other minor illnesses are real warning signs.

Disruption of the normal sleep cycle: If your sleep is disturbed, you have trouble getting up, or you feel like you need a mid-morning nap this may indicate overtraining.

Basically, it comes down to how you feel: your psychological sense of well-being your level of fatigue during the day, and how you feel on the bike.