What type of bicycle should I get?

[sfa]

+1 on everything Lisa said. I love my touring bike and know that it can handle just about anything--I've used it for heavily loaded touring, for commuting, for charity rides and next month I'll be riding it in a triathlon (o.k. it's not ideal for that but I can't afford another bike so this will have to do!). It's not as light and zippy as a road bike, but it sounds like it would fit the bill for the roads that you are on regularly and for the types of riding you have in mind. The only problem you'll have is that finding them used isn't easy--they aren't the most common type of bike and in my experience people who get them tend to keep them. I've seen them from time to time on eBay and Craigslist, but you might have better luck letting local shops and clubs know what you're looking for so they can help you look.

Good luck!

Sarah

[KnottedYet]

How much money do you have budgeted for a bike? I'd bet lots of folks can give you ideas of new bikes that might meet your needs AND your budget. (when you have a specific type of bike in mind, it can be hard to find the perfect one used)

$1,000 or so (or less!) can get you a perfectly good touring bike in steel.

$750 or so can get you a perfectly good touring/cyclocross bike in aluminum. For example the http://www.konaworld.com/09_dewdrop_en.cfm The Kona Dew line has lovely stable "do it all" geometry. The Dew Drop is outfitted for road.

(Oh, and do take a look at cyclocross bikes. Some of them are running around as tourers and commuters, too. My utility bike is a cyclocross bike, Surly Cross Check.)