Less and less sleep just places you further behind in your recovery process. Irritability and restlessness are also good indications that a day of rest will do you well. Your body is trying to tell you it needs a break. If you have a nagging injury that just doesn t seem to go away, take some time off. Sore muscle are one thing, but deep pain within a joint is something completely different.
Good pain is usually symmetrical.
An example would be both quadriceps burning an equal amount on the way up a climb. Listen to your body. When your training, eat before your hungry and drink before your thirsty. Always stretch before and after you ride. Stretching afterwards can be more intense, since your body is warm.