It can be done, quite easily
It can be done, quite easily imo.
Are you based in the UK? If so buy an Ultegra groupset from CRC or Merlin cycles, these are currently going for £500 and would be more than capable for what you want. A LBS should be able to advise on a decent set of wheels and build the bike for you. After this it's just a case of learning to ride the bike and this will kill two birds with one stone as you'll also be training for the ride.
There's plenty of step by step info here on this website and on others on how to get started, however IME:-
- Make sure the bike fits, a well fitted bike is so much easier to ride
- Look at the horizon, not at the pedals when starting out.
- Try to relax
- Start off somewhere quiet, a car park or such
- Be patient, you'll need to learn again how to ride a bike. It took me at least a couple of weeks to learn to ride my Low Baron proficiently when I got it.
It's nice to be prove right for a change.
Awesome sauce Mike - well done.