Questions and Decisions

Over the weekend, we logged more miles on the bikes than we have in the past several weeks.  Friday we rode a little over 20 miles, there and back.  That's the most miles I've ridden in one sitting since July.  Embarrassing, I know.  In fact, it makes me sick.  The only thing I've really wanted to spend my time doing is ride my bike, but stuff keeps getting in the way.  Correction, I let other stuff get in the way.

Well, pretty soon things are going to change.  I'll get to how all this came about later, but suffice it to say I'm finally going to get those hours on the bicycle that I've been craving.

With that in the works, I've been wresting with a decision.  Should I make several hundred dollars worth of upgrades to the FX or use that money just to add another bike to the fleet?  

Here's the back story:

Now that I will have more time for some recreational rides, I want to take that time to focus on my fitness (meaning, I want to get some).  Therefore, I want to do longer, more challenging rides.  I currently have two bicycles for the road, the Trek FX and the Schwinn Varsity.  The Varsity is fun for riding around town, but isn't up for long rides.  The FX is great on the trail, for riding in the rain, hauling my groceries, etc.  However,   its style doesn't lend itself to more fast paced road riding- something I'd like to get into. 

Here are the options:

1). I have toyed with converting the FX to drop bars.  Combine those with my clipless pedals and, theoretically, I would have a ride that meets my needs.  However, all the adjustments and changes would end up costing a large chunk of change.  Plus, all those changes may not end up working all that well because the FX is not designed for drops.

2).  I could spend about the same amount of money on a new entry level road bike.

Personally, I lean towards option two.  I'd have the FX for what I've been using it for- long commutes, cargo hauling, rainy rides, and the Towpath.  With the addition of a road bike to the fleet, I'd have a bike purely for challenging myself and meeting my fitness goals (and, admittedly, a little more fun).

Here, oh marvelous reader, is where I need your advice.  What would you do?  Convert the FX or get another bike?  If you were to get another bike, would you then sell the FX?  Do you have another idea that I haven't thought of?

I am in a bit of quandary.  It has recently come to my attention that I may have a bike collecting problem, as most women do with purses and shoes.  So, in the spirit of maturity, I'm asking for your esteemed advice.