Some very good suggestions and points thanks all.

I'm not really concerned about how fast I go, I was just kind of curious because I cant keep up with some of the people on the trail (paved trail) riding road bikes. And could keep up with a lot of the people riding mt bikes and such. And if the extra effort means a lil better workout thats ok too (lost almost 70lbs to date). I had never thought about the comfort level on long rides though. Now that im getting in better shape (bike shape anyway) I'm going for longer and longer rides, on the weekends i'll ride 30-40 miles on sat and sunday. Sometimes at the end of the ride my neck will kind of hurt and my hands will start going numb (they go un-numb when I move em around though). Would a road bike be more comfortable on longer road rides? I'm not physically drained after a 40 mile ride but if my neck and arms//hands are bugging me to much I dont feel like riding any further.

Ohhhhh the sandy roads I have to ride on are all LOOSE sand with patches of hard stuff. It seems everytime the stuff starts to get packed good they come and mess it all up with a road grader LOL. I was thinking about the semi-slicks for my next set of tires. Wont be long the soft off road tires that came on the bike are wearing out pretty fast at 15miles a day and 30+ on the weekends on pavement LOL. But i'm having lots of fun and enjoying my first real bike so its all good

I'm getting soooo hooked on riding that I know im going to have to save my pennies for a road bike.

Love this forum thanks for all the good advise and suggestions....... Jay