wanting to get a new bike but have no idea where to start please help

I wouldn't worry, bike threads get allot of different comments.  My 2 cents are you seem to have allot of fitness if you can maintain a 20ish mph.  Many pros I guess would be 25ish for an average mph. I went from a road bike, $1500 aluminum/carbon on forks/seat stays to a $5000 Transition full carbon pro, didn't spend 5K, got a great deal.  My average speeds jumped 3-5 mph, but that was because there was more power being applied to the pedals by the bike design. Besides a jump in overall speed, I noticed the pickup was night and day.  I could get up to 20 something mph much faster on my tri bike, while in the seat, but in the aeros.  I noticed I may only have to shift one gear, while my old road bike I had to shift allot more to get to 20 somehting.  When I was doing a speed session on my tri bike and peaked at 32mph on a flat road for half mile before I died.  My old road bike, I dont think I could have done this.  Also, I noticed the carbon frame, besides the damping is about 50% then before, does help with hills.  I think its because the frame is stiffer so it doesn't flex when I stand or apply power on hills.  I think my mph jumped 4-5 on hills going the same PE.  Now, even though I saw an increase in bike performance, because I got bad bike fit, I still got beat by bikers on a cheaper bikes.    You will hear the biker is what wins not the bike. However, it looks like you have the making of a great biker, so maybe its worth upgrading.  Its probably worth taking spin on a new one see if you notice a difference.

Just my two cents, but when I was in your spot - granted it was high-end road bike, I went with carbon over aluminum and was absolutely amazed at the ride difference. As the previous rider stated, the "pop" that you get is definitely noticable, but I also found that there is no comparison with ride quality. Add that to a long-distance race and you will be able to maintain a higher speed just due to lack of fatique.

As for the two bikes, while I race/ride road bikes - have done time trials, as well as tris, I would go w. Cervelo - one obvious difference is the wheels. But if they were the same, I tend to lean towards not what is popular, but what is tried/true and everyone I know that has a Cervelo would not trade it....that's the best kind of feedback you could get.

Good luck and be sure to post pics!