Great post, Geoff! I wish I had gotten back into cycling when I was 22.
I have a Cannondale road bike which I love. My mountain bike is a Raleigh, love that too. You will hear love it/hate it stories on every bike out there. As long as it works for you and it makes you want to put miles on it it's a great bike.
ETA : Here's a PA regional thread you might want to check out...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222052
Ride on!!!