Agree w/everyone! That hybrid's gonna be a clunker (heavy, slow, etc) on your ride. Do yourself a favor and check out road bikes. I have two Specialized Dolces (Elite & Comp), a Bianchi (Eros Donna), and a Luna Eclipse (in the hospital right now undergoing an expensive operation due to a three-big-beautiful-but-overly-affectionate-golden-retriever mishap, unfortunately). Once you get on a road bike, you probably won't want to deal w/the hybrid again, especially on the hills!!!
Jo, you are so right about the drop handlebars making for a more comfortable ride. I had ridden a Terry Classic and the straight handlebar caused me a lot of wrist numbness & pain.
Not to cause any controversy but I couldn't help noticing how the MAN discouraged you from upgrading and the WOMAN encouraged you to ditch the clunker for something lighter. Maybe the MAN has been "chicked" one too many times? hehehehehe