I've been sort of leaning toward the idea that I may have to sacrifice walkability for miles on the road. When I started this obsession I had no idea I would be able to do the kind of miles we've been riding. At first, 8 miles nearly killed me. Now we are riding 70-100 miles a week in the summer. The whole process is an evolution of comfort, strength and ability. I appreciate all the input from everyone. It's a lot easier to get the right advice(or more detailed and complicated) on this forum than just listening to what the bike shop folks will tell me in order to make a sale. I feel like I can make a more educated purchase, especially because it looks like I will plunk down a few hundred at least.