My manias take off much quicker than depression, maybe 4-5 days from baseline to hypomania to full blown manic (which generally lasts a week or two but as long as a month). Then it usually evolves to a mixed state and eventually goes to depression.
Depressions sink much slower and last longer (usually a month or two), but don't get as severe.
Sometimes I have baseline after manic episodes, but it doesn't last very long. Most of my baseline time is after depression.
I have rapid cycling which sometimes cranks up to ultra rapid cycling, and has on a few occasions made it to ultradian cycling.