Congrats on you achievement, that is very admirable! I still remember my early days of riding; started riding with previous boyfriends de jur, first one had an old road bike w/down tube shifters and toe clips. (he rode in gym shorts, T-shirt and a helmet that looked like one of those cheap mimi-mart coolers - all styro foam! ) The second boyfriend de jur had a Trek road bike with Ultegra components and speedplay pedals - all the best gear. I had a free-bee, steel frame, no-suspension Cannondale Mountain bike with nobby gatorskin tires, and flat pedals. I rode to the top of Gate's Pass, Saguaro East Monument and a whole lot of other hills, 'cause I live in the shadow of a mountain, on that bike gasping and wheezing to stay in any kind of proximity to the "boy de jur". ( fully geared boy was actually really kind about staying close, though watching him ride no-hands, big chain ring, no effort up a hill was humiliating )
I look at it as being twice the workout which means I'm twice as tough as they are. Like walking or running in sand.
I eventually bought a rode bike and viva la differaunce! Riding with a group is such a great motivator, skills builder and AVS improver. Finding the right group is the challenge, sounds like the group you rode with was really nice; being there to applaud your achievement! Keep it up!
Oh, and if oyu find a truly good bike mechanic they can fir your hybrid with road wheels, tires and change up your cogs and chain ring sizes to make that bike work like a road bike. So no need to buy a whole new bike unless you are uncomfortable with the fit of the frame of that hybrid.