Last year I bought a very inexpensive hybrid (Trek 7100). I rode it A LOT and fell in love with biking. My friends bike rails-to-trails, so the hybrid seemed a good fit. This year I have graduated to a road bike but I still have they hybrid for the trails (we did 24 miles of trail last night!!). I like having two, and felt confident in buying a road bike as I knew cycling was my thing. Had I spent $1500 the first year and did not like it, I would have been mad at myself. I say go for the hybrid - it is a great bike for both trails and a bit of road biking. See if you get bit by the bug...
Trish