I don't own a Pashley so can't really help except to say that they seem to be well built and my friends who ride them swear by them. However, they tend to use them for commuting on the flat.

By the way, have you seen this - it's the new Pashley Penny which I think is lovely: http://www.pashley.co.uk/news/2011/07/hello-penny/ ? I'm not sure if it's any lighter than the Princess. Happy hunting..