I have been reading about recumbent bikes online. Can't bring myself to spend that much money without seeing/touching/maybe riding the various types. Is there a bike shop in mid Tenn that carries these?

There is a recumbent dealer on Signal Mountain - Easy Chair Recumbents, I think. His name is Art and he has some new and used recumbents. Sounds like a nice guy. Here's link -
http://www.easychairbikes.com/index.shtml

I just sold a Tour Easy. I don't think he carries those but you ought to take a look at them. I liked mine a lot.