Okay, my first "adult" bike I bought because I was on a blind date (matchmaker.com) with a guy who told me to get a Trek 5200. Little did I know at the time that he got a referral bonus from the bike shop.

Seriously, I had been riding on my 12 year old Specialized Hard Rock and training for an AIDS Ride. I had been riding about five months and had already done a few self-supported centuries on my 40-pound bike. I did some research and decided I was going to spend as much as I could afford ($2,500). I narrowed it down to the Trek and a few others.

So, I went into the shop the date recommended, rode the Trek 5200 and another bike around the block, and picked the Trek.

I've come a long way since then.