Are you going to ride with the Babes? I'm a member but being a "working Babe," haven't been able to join them on any rides since they go during the day. I'm pretty sure most of them have road bikes and that the majority of their rides are on paved trails & road. I live in Arlington and ride mostly on the W&OD and Custis Trails, which are both paved. Where do you plan to ride?

KSH is right---you'll be lagging behind if you're on a hybrid and everyone else is on a road bike. You might consider looking into a cyclocross bike, which will allow you to ride on gravel trail easier than a road bike. I have several road bikes (too embarassed to tell you how many, haha), but my Trek Hybrid is now officially retired to the boneyard (aka my basement).

You know, several bike shops in the area will let you rent bikes. I think Bikes@Vienna, which is real close to the W&OD in Vienna, rents them out. You could take a hybrid and/or a road bike out on the trail for a couple of hours just to see which you prefer. I think a couple places in Alexandria rent out bikes, too.

I will be glad to see you, if you're ever riding when I'm out. The male cyclists greatly outnumber the ladies, and most days, I'm the only "chick" out there!