That is hopeful to hear that it could be all better some day. My Dr and PT both give me the impression that I'm essentially "broken" now, and it will continue to be an issue if I don't keep up with the exercises (although both say my recovery rate is much better than one can usually expect). The back feels much better, but the numbness in the leg continues to linger. As far as riding goes, I have discovered that if I do several shorter rides on the recumbent during the week, I am just fine doing the long training ride on the weekend on the road bike (lots of stretching on the breaks and icepack on standby in the car for when I'm done). It would be sooo nice to go about my day without obsessing about the state of my back.