Don't let the drops intimidate you. The biggest differences are in the wheels and the positioning. Road bikes tackle both of these and give significant gains. Light'ish 700c wheels with some 25mm tires and a decent fit to a road/fitness/endurance-fit frame and you'll be laughing.
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Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.