Wow. That's a lot of info! Thanks so much.

I'd love to do my first TT on a TT bike, but I'm not about to buy one until I actually try a TT event once. The first one I'm doing is probably on Mother's Day and then, actually, there aren't any more in our area until September. So the plan is to use aero bars and an aero helmet for the first one (found a helmet to borrow and might have bars to borrow ... or can buy from REI and take back if I need to!) ... and depending on how that goes, would seriously consider a TT bike.

I've been talking to my husband about a power meter. I had no idea how much they were and that you have to commit a specific wheel, etc. But I'll be getting one eventually.

Thanks for all your input. I appreciate it.