I stopped riding almost 3 years ago after having spine surgery. Got back in to it in late June/early July.
In order to mollify my wife I bought a used comfort bike wherein I swapped out the fat, knobby tires for 1.5" slicks, thus making it more of a hybrid. As I will be retiring, totally, in a few months, as a retirement gift I plan to buy myself a new performance hybrid, aka flat bar road bike.

I ride for the pure pleasure of it, and for additional fitness. Since my aforementioned surgery I have been exercise walking and working out with light, for me, weights. The biking adds a measure of cross training, although it is slowly becoming the dominant aerobic exercise for me. Incredible how enjoyable it is!

Best regards