I normally ride in my big ring. Mid-Michigan is relatively flat at about 11-15 ft/mile and while grades can occasionally be 10%, it's never for long. I normally just power up in the middle of the cassette and save the lower gears for when I travel. Only one of my everyday recumbents has a granny ring. Of course, if I'm expecting 15-20% grades, that's the one I'll be on!
BTW, I used to be a 16 mph rider with occasional short group rides at 18 mph, until I got my first lowracer in 2001. With them, I've accumulated a collection of solo sub-5 imperial centuries. Getting Covid really set me back this year; spring training is going to be tough!