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Swimming uses more muscles and requires more concentration. I had a large amount of form degradation when I took a years' break swimming, and it took a few weeks to get back in form. I was noticeably faster after I regained my form -- I'm not sure what the equivalent would be on a bike, since theoretically I would just need to pedal faster (requiring more raw strength, not form.)

I don't think there's much comparison to the bike example in the OP.

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I agree. When I swam competitively taking even a week off was something you could feel in the water. It might only add a second or two to your splits, but you could definitely feel it. It was weirdly distressing, actually.

Shifting gears has always been a conscious activity for me, at least in part. Even biking a lot I can get surprised by a hill if I'm not consciously planning my shifting 5-10 seconds out and end up with my chain jumping off.

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