too much male advice

I have been doing triathlon for one year on a borrowed very old bike. I live in the mountains at high altitude and mostly ride up and down, I would like to spend less than $1000 on a bike, I am a teacher with a modest budget and am really not brand name concerned, nor how pretty it is. I want ONE good bike to ride up the mountain with ease and in races. I am 38, and just started competing, so the minutes don't really matter to me. I hope I can have this bike for a long time.
My sport mates have TOO much advice, and always push to spend more money and more gadgets.

check out the 'bikes under $1000

I have purchased two mountain bikes from www.bicyclebananas.com. They are the best. The have road, mountain, tri and bmx bikes. They are new bikes, but one or two year old models and very reasonable. They build the bike, tune it up, break it down and ship it. I have heard nothing but great things about the guys there. I am really happy with my Jamis mountain bikes. Check out their web site. I hope you can find something you like.