So I might as well be a new rider...

[WVGeo]

Hiya -

Haven't been riding for years. Neighbor gave me her old bike a couple weeks ago and all it took was about 2 minutes for me to remember the YAHOO!! reason I loved it - I'm like an alcoholic who has fallen off the wagon with it. Fortunately, it's a much healthier hobby than drinking! But now my neighbor's generosity is going to cost me money, because the bike is too big and is about 10 years old and I need to replace it with one that fits me.

I say I might as well be a new rider because so much has changed since I last bought a bike, and it's decisions decisions as to what I want/need. I found this forum and thought I'd get experienced input. Let's say I'm in the $500 to $800 price range. I live in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and we have a lot of back roads. We also have the C&O Canal Towpath nearby. I'm not inclined to true mountain biking, but I am inclined to distance riding. What would be recommended for something that can go a little off road, but won't kill be after 50 miles on pavement?