Greetings from Maryland
I got back into cycling last spring after a 10 year layoff. I rode a bike mountain bike for years. I once did Cycle Across Maryland on a mountain bike, that coupled with the fact that about 2% of my riding was actually trail riding made me promise my next bike would be light and fast.
I chose a Fuji Cross Comp since I split my rides between the North Central Rail Trail and roads. I am loving it. I only wish I could get those 10 lost years back. But I guess if I keep riding I can pick them up on the back 9.