£500 Road bike suggestions

[PH5121]

I have had mountain bikes for the last 17 years, but recently have been toying with the idea of getting a road bike.

I have a reasonable mountain bike, and realise that for £500 I will not be able to get anything flash, i am no lycra clad whippet and never will be and I won't be doing anything competative.
The bike would be for when I don't want to get the mtb covered in crud in winter (because I don't want to spend 2 hours cleaning it afterwards) and for sunny evenings as a change from going off road.
I have seen a 2006 Giant OCR2 which looks nice, but I don't know if that would be suitable for what I want.
Does anyone with knowledge of these things have any advice as I would be grateful before buying something which may be unsuitable.

Thanks
Paul

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 15th August 16:31

[PH5121]

Yes, it will solely be for on road use.
Paul

[PH5121]

Thanks for the advice everyone,
I have plenty of cycling gear (spd's, waterproofs,clothing, glasses, camelback etc due to mountain biking), but I know nothing about road bikes.
What kind of spec in terms of number of gears, makes of equipment should I be looking at.
Following the recommendations on here I have looked at Evans website, and they have Trek, Scott & Specialized bikes in my budget which all look okay to my untrained eye, as I am only 20 minutes away from Castleford I will try and get across there for a look.
I cannot really stretch my budget any further as I have said to my wife that I would by her a Giant Trance 4 (we hired some Trance 4's in Whistler last week and she liked it, if it means she will come out cycling with me it is worth getting her one)

Paul