I started by dropping about $600 on a new hybrid, toe cages, bottle cage, an some bar ends. Rode that for just under a year, then went back for a dedicated road bike. Dropped a little under $1800 on bike, pedals, shoes, accessories, and a 3 year pre-paid anything goes warranty/service plan.

Hyrbid is currently for sale - thought I would keep it, but I've ridden it three times since I got the road bike. All three times to the park with kids, which is 1/2 mile away. I'll probably scoop up a used P.O.S. for $30 to do that.