Hi and welcome to the board! Sounds like you have a nice group to ride with which is great... really helps me with my motivation to ride with others who are stronger riders... and LOL at your hybrid not hearing that comment... I bought an old beat up mtn bike to use as my "beater" bike... to ride for coffee etc because if IT gets stolen, no big deal... BUT when I put it in the garage, I'm pretty sure I saw my road bike shudder in disgust...