That's an interesting story Stapfam. I have not ridden 1/20th of the miles that you have on a bike, yet I didn't have any difficulty at all in riding a bent. Just hoped on one and started riding. I felt a little uneasy for 3 or 4 blocks and then was fine. I've never fallen from a bent. I find the LWB designs extremely stable, moreso than an upright bike. But I'm much less at ease on the SWB models, having not ridden them much.

I think everyone discovers that different muscles are being used. Takes a while to get into "bent shape" after switching over. As to shoulders, I do better on a bent, it feels very natural to me. Feels a lot like driving a car.