Have been a bit busy this week to finally reply to all the helpful advice and warm welcomes!

Some time today or tomorrow I will try to arrange for some test rides of the bikes that I mentioned, which are at Spokes Etc (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?ci...090189&ie=UTF8). If I have time, I will try to check out another place that is highly rated on Google Maps, Papillon Cycles (http://maps.google.com/places/us/va/...n-cycles?hl=en).

The Brompton models are really cool, but I'm not sure I can afford that much portability! They don't look terribly comfortable, too??

I am thinking I might prefer the TriCross. In addition to my regular commute, I have been wanting for a while to do some lengthy, weekend rides around some of the local bike paths. However, we'll see how I feel after some test rides!