OK. I live in Northern VA near the W&OD trail so I'll be doing some trail stuff. Also we are in the foothills of Shenandoah mountains-classic rolling countryside. I mainly want to get out more and improve fitness, maybe do some long rides or bike tours in fall/spring and will stay off the dirt roads. Back in the day I would do 25 miles in a day on bike paths in New Mexico on a 50 inch Bridgestone mountain bike. Not sure how far I will realistically be able to travel 20 years later, though I'm thinking without the altitude and on a lighter weight zippier bike I might work up to 50 miles.

The big problem is that my husband (he of the heroic thighs who never deliberately exercises but somehow can ski all day) will probably eventually want to come with me and all the fun will fade if I'm struggling to keep up with him.

So do I want a carbon fiber road bike? Will the low weight help? And what's up with the different types of carbon fiber?

Or do I want a steel touring bike?

For the record, if it matters I'm "hard on things" and not the queen of maintenance. I've gotten the impression aluminum=bad for vibration and carbon is lightweight but other than that I'm not sure what I should be looking at. Is steel bad for vibration too?

Right now I'm struggling with an 8 year old Specialized hybrid that is really heavy and probably too big for me-my wrists hurt and hands are falling asleep and back feels stretched after a very short time. I don't know how big it is but I was fitted many moons ago on a size 50 bridgestone mountain bike. I'm 5'4 and 2/3rds (seriously) about 145 currently but aiming for 125.

I'd like to keep this project under $4000 but half that would be even better. And I have a fantasy of taking my dog with me in a trailer but I could be easily talked out of it if people think that's insane or dangerous. He weighs 20 lbs and probably could work his way up to trotting alongside but I'd need to go pretty slow and I don't think it would work on hills so having a trailer for him to ride in when the going got tough would be helpful. I know if I go that route I'd need the touring bike option.

Any suggestions would be so welcome.