Road Bike of Tri Bike? Rookie needs advice.

hello. this is my first post. i'm shopping for a new road bike to start training for an 8-day 520 mile california coastal ride. over the years i've been an avid mountain biker (comfortable on the road with puncture-free knobby tires shocks and a solid frame). i'm wondering if i can get by with a tri-bike or some other "hybrid" bike. having been away from the bike shops for a good 7 years (2 kids later) i'm afraid i'm a little lost at what my options are.

can anyone give me the run down on the hybrids and whether that might be a good option for me?

thanks to anyone with a bit of advice.

I am over 55 and find the Flat Bar Road Bikes suit me, my back and my low vision!

Have a look at Giant FCR*, Felt SR*, Specialised Sirrus, etc... most road bike makers have this style of bike with good (Ultegra) road bits on the high end models.

Tri bike, only if doing Triathlons every other weekend.

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Cheers,
George.

I am 54, and while I would not want a racing geometry for an 8 day ride, I do like the alternative hand positions that the drop bars give. I recently road 150 miles over two days on a Specialized Roubaix Elite and was ready to do another 75 miles the next day.

I agree that Tri bikes are good only for triathlons and time trials. I do not think they would be comfortable for a long, multi-day ride. Cyclecross bikes would be better than a Tri bike, but IMHO, you cannot beat the relaxed geometry road bikes like the Specialized Roubaix or Trek Pilot for long rides.