Na, not hard to ride at all. I've got almost 4000 miles on mine in the last year. Hardest part was starting uphill on an incline. Other than that, no problem. It does take a bit of getting used to, but it's a good 3-4mph faster for the same effort. Not all recumbents are equal though, just like regular bikes, there are performance ones, utility ones, and a lot has to do with the engine.