Originally Posted by Trikegypsy

I will second the motion to try drop bars. I was a serious roadie back in the 80's but life took me away from cycling. 2 yrs ago I started back into it, sort of. Got a Trek 7.3 FX which was a nice bike to start back. Rode some miles, but was never really comfortable, even though that what the bike was designed to be. Fast forward to last fall when a knee injury and resulting surgery forced me into rehab. re-discovered my love affair with bikes. Started doing some longer rides, and worked up to about 100 miles a week. The flat bar really kept me from going farther, faster. Yesterday, after doing some months of research, I ordered my first drop bar bike in 20 years.

Since I'm VERY short at 5'1" was hard to find a gravel/endurance bike small enough. Ordered a 2017 Specialized Dolce Evo. When it's all said and done, will be a semi-custom build as I'm upgrading from the stock Tiagra to Sram Rival, wider bars and better seat. Bike won't be here until January, but can't wait. Will put it on my trainer and Zwift away the winter months.

Consider an endurance bike with drop bars. You can put a longer stem on it to put you even more upright until you get some mileage in, then as your fitness improves, go back to the stock stem and crank out the mileage.