Well, after much debating and searching, I decided to buy my bike today. I've gone to multiple bike shops, ridden Specialized, Giant, Bianchi, Cannondale, Trek, and even rode a Cervelo (I didn't have enough money to buy it, I just wanted to ride it ). All bikes felt good, but the Trek was the one that felt 'right.' I was hesitant to buy a Trek, after the way you guys talk about them here on the forums, but I had to go with what felt right. All the other LBS seemed like they didn't want to help a Fred out as this is my first road bike. From the moment I walked into the LBS that stocked Trek it was a pleasant experience. I explained my situation to them, how I was new, had no idea about the sport, had no equipment, and that I wanted a bike that is good for beginning but would be accommodating for some heavy riding. He walked me right over to the Trek 2.1. He didn't try to up-sale me with something I didn't need and he even took me to this fancy machine that got all my measurements and fitted me with the perfect size bike.

Here are some pics (sorry if they aren't the way you guys like them, I did the best I can do w/ a cell phone camera)







These are the other things I bought:
Shimano SH-R085 shoes
Shimano clipless pedals
Bottle Cages (2)
Water Bottles (2)
Cycling Computer
Bibs
Jerseys
Extra tubes

Total came out to around 1700 dollars. On the website, the bike is 1400 and I got it for 1099.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just really excited after going for my first ride. Riding is so much fun. I was nervous because I had never ridden clipless pedals before but I didn't fall once and the power you get from them is amazing. Thanks for all your help guys, looks like I might have to change my tag under my username!