Hybrid or Road bike

faceplant77
faceplant77 Posts: 25
edited August 2010 in Road buying advice
I currently own a Specialized Rockhopper, I've installed 26 x 1.5 road tyres on this but I still couldn't keep up wioth road bikes when I recently did the london to Cambridge bike ride.

I would like a bike to give me an advantage up hills as well as on the flat roads, and on some gravel cycle paths. I'm in two minds as to wether a road bike is ideal, and what could I get for around £500.