Perhaps he was right? I ride road on hybrids and they are great exercise machines. Slower, but with their wider tires they are more surefooted. The other day I came up behind a group ride that was bunched up at a red light in an industrial area. I just went up a driveway, around a short dirt track and on my way. It took them quite a few minutes to pass me again, hybrids aren't that slow.

I think the most important part of cycling is getting out there and riding, What bike you ride is irrelevant, just ride.