How about going for a cyclocross bike? Fast as a road bike, but seems a bit tougher. That's what I did. I needed a bike that could handle rain and sleet in the winter (no proper winter here in England, more like a Norwegian spring), the occasional trail (dirt and gravel) to Uni yet was speedy enough for longer road-rides. I went with the Specialized Tricross, but I'm sure there is a wide selection out there.