I'd go to whatever bike shops are around and do some test riding. Maybe try a triple and a regular double and a compact double on some hills and see which makes you happier? (I swear by my triple and I don't have very big hills here.) And try different types of bikes, different set ups, and so on. You may find that you like one sort of saddle, and then use that when you try other bikes and such.

I probably did 17 test rides before ordering my bike, and even then I needed to get the handlebars switched out to less wide ones. The bike shop that sold me my bike earned a loyal customer with all the test rides I did!