How many days a week do you lift?

twice.  Mondays and Wednesdays.

Basically just legs and back to help with s/b/r...

And of course core work.  I should do more chest, but neglect it.  It's not part of my plan....

You are experienced in the gym.  Don't let cyclists "rules' dictate the training that is right for you.

Most of us dread finding the time and or motivation to lift.  The 2 or 3 times is what is needed.  If you are at a fitmess level and experience to do more without hurting yourself -go for it.

If you want to be lean - make sure that uis what type of workout you are doing.  Since you are experienced I prob don't need to tell you to rest muscle groups for repair between sessions and give your  entire body once a week.

I personally try to do strength training 3 times per week - twice with free weights, once core training.  I tend to neglect my lower body in strength training. 

I run 4 or 5 times a week, I ride 2 or 3 times a week and swim once a week in the winter and twice that in better summer.

I come from a bodybuilding background and used to lift 5-6 days (one body part per day) for about 45 min/session.  I really miss it but had to go to three days a week to fit in the tri stuff. 

This is what I do and it looks as though I am maintaining my muscle:

Tues: legs and abs

Wed: shoulders, back and biceps

Thurs: tri, chest and abs

 I prefer not to do all that in one session but I do 2-3 exercises per body part instead of 4-5 and less sets.  It kinda makes me sad just writing about it!

2.5x a week

Chest/Tris/ Abs

Back / Bis / Abs

Abs/ shoulders (shorter workout, normally jsut fit it in after a swim)

When I'm doing full body workouts 2x a week

When doing splits 3-4x a week

I prefer splits

Total body workout 2x per week. 

I spent three months in the winter doing a rigorous 5 x 5 strength and mass building workout.  I got my squat up to 315 etc. then started training for endurance and the try.  I probs can't lift that much anymore, yet it was enough to maintain my strength for the rest of the season.

I haven't been lifting very much (maybe once every two weeks or so, and just do core, compound exercises - squats, military press, deadlifts, etc.) for strength maintenance.  

I found that the strength I built up was more than enough and let me concentrate on everything else.

If you want to build strength you could do a three - day split at a minimum.  you could probs. maintain with a two per week schedule, depending on the workouts 

3x/week of strength and core for an hour.

Currently 4x a week. Legs/Shoulders - Chest/Back/Bi's - Powerlifts/Abs and Stability/Triceps

Most likely going to cut it down to 3x when it gets warm enough to be swimming/biking outside again.  I have a hard time getting less than 3x a week, I guess its the bodybuilder still trapped in me.