If you want to be competitive any time you have off is a step backwards, might not bea healthy approach but its the truth...
Bulking up is ok 1st time round, when your young and in the growing curve you can packalot of size on , I wouldnt hinder it... but once youve melted it off to see what you have, I would keep in some kind of condition, not necessarly ripped, but at least some lines, blurred abbs, lines in quads etc etc....
I eat fairly clean atleast 5 days per week and have a blow out sat night, wheather thats a nighton the drink or a nice meal etc