Wow.. thanks folks for this excellent feedback. I didn't even know there was a type called cyclocross! Too bad that I only tried hybrids in the few local stores I visited, as I never thought that I may consider a road bike. I guess I can go back and see if I can test road bikes. I will ask specifically for less aggressive seating position, right? Can you suggest some types I should focus on? I would like to stay within $1,000 if I can or even less, unless this would get me a crappy bike.

What about my perceived difficulty with the dismount? is that something I would learn as I go? I also found the shifters to be integrated with the brakes, whereas I only held the horizontal part of the bars, I even think I should add brakes to the horizontal bars if I end up with a road bike.

Incidentally, do some stores do more detailed fit than others?