Originally Posted by
Trek1100FeltZ5
I am a casual rider at a casual pace ... I ride in the drop and my palms will start to get sore after 40 or 50 miles...
These two things do not go together, as has been said previously.
Likely issues in decreasing order:
(1) Bike does not fit you and you find that the drops are more "reachable" than the hoods. Saddle may also be too far forward to compensate. Have an experienced fitter look at your posture on the bike. Post a photo of you on the bike, riding, showing your preferred hand position.
(2) Excessive weight on your hands because the resulting position is unbalanced (relates to both fit and fitness). Not enough weight being driven by the pedal force, balanced by the saddle position, and/or held up by your core.
(3) 40-50 miles is a LONG time to be in the drops for anyone, even a fit rider with a perfectly set-up road bike. Learn to vary hand positions AFTER the bike is set up to fit your body properly.