So about a month ago I bought a Sirrus Sport hybrid. First time I had been on a bike in nearly a decade so I'm a novice. I like to ride around a local lake (5K distance) and I get about a 15.8-17 mph average. I'm wanting to start doing some group rides as well. However, in the few weeks I've been riding, I've decided I'd like a little more speed that a road bike will supposedly offer me. I'm also afraid I may have trouble keeping up if I were to join a group ride. I've heard ~3 mph increase with the same amount of energy exerted?

So, I'm looking at options so that I can get this little bit of extra speed but not cost me too much more. I'm thinking $700-800 range? That way, I can sell the Sirrus Sport and allow myself a little bit of spending room.

I don't know all of the options out there, particularly around that price range but I've kind of been eyeing the Allez. Will that get me the extra speed I'm looking for? Any other recommendations to shy me away from turning into a Specialized fanboy?