REST

resting is so important to being a cyclist that it cannot be pushed enough, the end of the season taper is far more necessary than any miles during the long season.  after the season the rest period acts as a reset button, no matter how hard the season has been or how long the season has been the one or two months off at the end of the season is the best thing that a professional cyclist can do.  

During this rest period it is also good to remember to not take this time completely off the bike  i like to ride 10-12 hours a week which is pretty much no riding at all, but during this period it is very important to keep the legs used to the bike even if you are not putting in the long miles.  

Another great thing to do during this period is to find some type of cross training.  since these are the winter months if you live at high elevations, nordic skiing is the obvious choice for cross training.  most people will make the transfer to cyclocross, but this is not big enough of a change for me, i need a completely different sport.  another great cross over is ice skating, preferably speed skating, but unfortunately we don't all have speed-skating ovals in our back yards, hockey will also do.  another great thing to do in the off-season is to ski or surf these two activities have no similarities to cycling and therefore promote a well deserved break after the season.

whatever sport you do chose in the off season just make sure that you don't push the limits and hurt yourself.  also make sure that you don't come back to the bike to early this will prove as a much disservice