Originally Posted by
ParkingTheBus
Ok, this may sound like a stupid question but I just wanted to get some opinions from the "pros" and the big boys.
I like your sense of humor...
But to get straight to your question, it's worth it if you enjoy riding. As is the case with other things, the better you get, the more fun you have. That makes you ride more so you get better and have yet more fun. It's a vicious cycle that can go on for decades.
If you like long solo rides, you definitely want a road bike. For the 1000-1700 range, there are many good choices, and what's right really depends on what type of riding you do and where. I'd recommend going to some local shops and seeing what you like.