Originally Posted by dahut

Yeah we wouldn't want to promote any of that, eh?

You are right about running though, it can be done anywhere.

My fatal mistake is this - I'm an ex-runner, but not a road cyclist. Im in the grey area of "a guy who rides bikes."
Oh, I have nice road bikes, but I ride them for the joy of it - I actually wave at passersby while riding them.
I think we may have screwed the pooch on the question, "Should I take the road bike plunge?"

From what I can tell, the OP already made his choice....

Thanks for all the advice. Turns out I did buy a bike. My first choice was a giant tcr or defy 1, however they are all sold out in my area. I got one reliable and similar, if not better with 105 components and a carbon fork. It is the Devinci Silverstone SL4. Regularly $1600, got it, shoes and dual pedals and a computer with cadence for 1600 in a deal.. I hope to hit the roads tomorrow.

Apparently, cost was of no real concern. He has tasted the Kool-Aid. God help him, now.