My Gold Rush (with all its accessories: bags, fairing, etc.) weighs close to 35 pounds, and I weigh about 220. I have no problem keeping up with similarly-fit upright riders, and I blast past them going downhill. I've been riding recumbents consistently for 20 years, so it's partly the bike, partly the motor. Your muscles will change as you accumulate miles, but nothing's going to change the fact that the fat 16" and 20" tires on the EZ-1 will create a lot of rolling resistance.