Hi Vickie,

Seems like you are looking for a couple of different things.

My LBS guy gave me great advice when I was in a similar (but utterly bikeless) position; that was that if I was going to be riding on dirt, to consider a MTB (which I could always put slick tires on) but which would give me a wider range of uses for the bike. It was great advice, IMO because I could ride a lot of dirt trails more easily that are not-so-fun on a hybrid. I started with a Kona Fire Mountain, which I *loved.* (She got stolen ) But it was a phenomenal bike.

Group rides, though, it sounds like you'll benefit from a road bike there. And yes, the bikes do play a big part in that. But those are more expensive, though you can get some good deals on used road bikes, there is lots of good advice to be had here on that...

That said, if you consider that that the jack of all trades is the master of none, by definition, Knotted's advice on the Kona Dew & Smoke is spot on, both are *great* bikes and an excellent value for the money.

Anne