I want a bike where I can do group rides (there's a ladies group in the area) and have fun, not be the one at the back of the pack, etc. I may also be interested in longer rides later.
If you are on a hybrid... and everyone else in the group is on a road bike... you will be at the back of the pack, working twice as hard to keep up. And... longer rides... may not be as doable.

Based on the statement you made above... I would say look at a road bike.

I got my TREK 1000 road bike for around $600... great entry level bike. I love it. I might upgrade at some point... but there isn't a thing wrong with it at this point (have had it a year).


Maybe someone else will have different advice to give though.