PCad, ok, lots of 'bent bashing here on this thread. I don't own one and have ridden one a few times but that was some time ago. I am a road bike guy, like you. I would not go out and buy or borrow a recumbent to ride, unless medical reasons forced this. The ability to maintain cardio vascular form and leg strength, if that meant riding a 'bent, vs nothing... well that is an easy decision.