Hi, Lynn!

I just went through this same thing a few months back, in May. I had a lower end mountain bike, but wanted something I could take on long rides on our paved trails here, with maybe just a bit of road riding...but I also knew I didn't want a road bike with a really aggressive setup. I tried a few hybrids, mostly at the shop where I bought the mountain bike, but didn't feel like they clicked, and I also didn't feel like I was being taken seriously. I don't think they believed I was really going to do long rides.

Then I found the bike shop I now think of as my LBS (I LOVE them!), and after listening carefully, they recommended either a "comfort" road bike (I think the Specialized Sequoia falls into that category) or a cyclocross. They offer more hand positions, for one, and are generally more comfortable for longer rides, though of course you *can* do a long ride on a hybrid...

Anyway, I ended up with a Bianchi Volpe, which is kind of a cyclocross / touring bike, and I love, love, love it so far. I started bike commuting (12.5 miles each way) in order to get more bike time in, which I never thought I'd do. And I do appreciate the drop bars. I find that just about *exactly* at the ten mile mark, I start to want the ability to move my hands around a bit, and with the drop bars, that's easier. Being that it's a cross rather than more of a race bike, I'm able to set it up with beefier tires, so I have a nice cushy ride. And it has a steel frame, which supposedly can feel nicer. I think it's much less jarring than my aluminum mountain bike, but I'm probably a little blinded by my feelings for the bike.

A lot of folks here really like cross bikes of various models, being as how they tend to be nice and sturdy and with a little more of a relaxed position than other road bikes, plus they're easy to set up with wider tires and fenders should you so desire. I think they're one of the best choices for all around riding, unless you really want a race bike.

Just one more (obvious biased) opinion!