The lack of "wear" and strain on the upper body was in great evidence when I first started riding bents 6 years ago. On my first rides on my first bent, I rode my usual route. I was amazed at how much less tired I was when I got home on the bent. It left me wishing I had taken a longer route. Of course I did pick out longer routes, and as I have posted before, I ride futher faster and longer on the bent.