Road Bike Dreams
I am in the same place. I ride a hybrid and I want to ride on faster rides. I have been telling myself to work towards raising my average speed and wait until next season to get my road bike. I averaged 14mph in the coastal Spring Century (I rode the 33 mile segment) on ultra flat roads.
When I ride by myself I try to push my speed. I always run Strava and obsess over improving my speed. I don't really know how much difference a road bike would make for me but since that fateful day when I test road a nice Trek road bike I can't think of much else.
My tires aren't really knobby but my husband's were we switched his bike to a bit thinner and smoother tire. He thinks the rolling res ok distance is lower and he is faster.