Hi all,

First post here. Seems like a really nice group on this site! Glad I found it!

A little about my biking history: A few years back, I bought an $800 mountain bike and rode that for a couple of years. I learned that I had absolutely no interest in mountain biking and did everything I could to make the thing more comfortable! I think the handlebars were too far from the seat, and it felt like all my weight was sitting on my crotch! Ouch! A year ago, I decided to sell the thing, as I wanted something more suited to the kind of riding I was doing (which, at the time, were like 5-10 mile rides on trails and roads). So, I bought a $400 Raleigh hybrid.

Where I'm at now: My husband and I have decided to ride the Seattle-to-Portland double century ride this July. I've been doing my training on the hybrid. I'm starting to wonder if this is just simply the wrong bike to be doing 40, 50, 60 mile rides on!

Would I be way more comfortable on a different kind of bike? Is sitting so upright on the bike not good for long rides? Would it be easier to go faster on a different kind of bike made for longer rides? I'm short and heavy and need all the help I can get!!

So far, the longest ride I've done is 37 miles, and my main discomfort was my crotch...burning and just very sore! Have purchased some bike pants with chamois that I'll try next ride.

So...should I really be riding a different type of bike (probably a road bike, right?) to make the experience more enjoyable?

I intend to keep doing these long rides, as I'm really enjoying them. I just want to make sure I've got what I need to be as comfortable as possible.

TIA!
stpbound