Quote Originally Posted by hebe View Post
I think you should go for what you love within your budget, as your legs will catch up with your heart quicker than you think. I've only been riding for a few months at 44, I bought a comfort-hybrid as it looked good for a beginner and best suited to the kind of riding I thought I wanted to do. It did get me started perfectly, and is even better with a new saddle, but it's since been joined by a mountain bike for off-road riding as it turned out I love the off-road riding more than I imagined. I use it for errands, and will do for a few years yet, but ultimately it will be replaced by a Pashley.

Welcome to TE!
Those are my thoughts exactly! A hybrid seems like a great bike to start with, but I can only afford one bike per year. So then I could be stuck with something I don't like until next spring. Decisions, decisions!