[downut]

I have never ridden a recumbent. But for 7 years I had a regular cycling partner who rode one, for similar reasons. He was also an ultra cyclist (think 300 miles or more a ride). We did many centuries in the mountain West. Very hard to draft on the long downhill grades, but slow on the up. No big deal. The thing is the poser cyclists who sport the carbon and the kit and the electronics are almost entirely squares and will give you shade... but you just ignore them. It's the people riding across the country, enjoying themselves, not caring what other people think, that's the people I want to ride with.

As for trying one out, I would recommend talking to your LBS with the best mechanical reputation. Every recumbent rider I've seen was the only one around, and because their rigs are non-standard they tend to have a very good relationship with their competent LBS. I suspect the local recumbent person would be delighted to introduce you to their ride.

[kcindric]

Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, I didn't bother about the lycra warrior culture when I was touring, just bringing so much competition and rigidness in such a (to me) anxiety free environment was off-putting to me.

My friend, who worked in a bike shop, told me that recumbents require a knowledgeable mechanic but if I find one he/she will be more than happy to work on such a different build.