Holey Moley What do I want?

[roguedog]

I agree with Cat. Steel or Titanium. Go out and try some bikes. A few of each type and see what grabs ya.

Given the variety of things you want to do with the bike. Try a road bike and then try a cross bike. They cross bike will give you more diversity but you might sacrifice some speed. And the cross will feel a bit different because the geometry is slightly different because of its intended task.

For steel, try a Serotta Fierte. Try a Surly LHT or Soma Doublecross. Try the Gary Fisher label @ a Trek store (used to be Lemond but Fisher bought the IP).

For titanium, try a Lynskey or Merlin. Lynskey has some nice sales sometimes on his page or you can get one custom.

And there are lots of nice builders out your way. But get riding and see if you can begin to define what you like and what you don't like.

If you can narrow down what you like, you can get some really good deals on the used market .. *if you know what you're looking for (model, SIZE, condition of the bike, etc.)*

If you want new and don't want to have to worry (and you have patience), I think new models are coming in and you can stalk the shops that have what you're looking for and see if it goes on sale. *If* they happen to your size at the time of the sale...