I personally take a level teaspoon almost every day...either post weight training, or post cardio. sometimes I take it on my off days, sometimes I forget and don't sweat it.
I take it post workout for a couple reasons, mainly because after heavy strength training, the body releases insulin, so it can store nutrients it just expended while training. Plus, I have carbs post workout, which further spikes insulin. This all makes it 'easier' for creatine to get where it needs to go. That was the philosophy behind 'creatine transport' drinks, which were just sugar, flavor, and creatine...with a fat price tag.
One cannot truely tell if they're saturated without some kind of blood test. a lot of people retain extra water in the muscles when they get good creatine levels provided you're well hydrated to begin with. not everyone does, but the water weight gained, especially when you do a loading phase, is why a lot of people will claim "I gained 5lbs of muscle in one week on X-creatine!" but either way, you just won't really 'see' it. mostly you train a while without it, then start taking it, and see if it doesn't feel like you get a little more out of training. that last rep comes easier. you just feel like your muscles are able to work harder. that's how it feels to me at least.
As for cycling creatine...you can...you dont' need to...you can try on/off days, or a month off, or lower doses. some researchers think you can stunt the body's own creation of creatine with too much supplementation...but no studies to show it yet.