I don't ride fast and I don't ride ridiculous distances. But I do ride every day, and to any place I can get on a bicycle. I'm totally taking it on the 14 mile group ride I do every week. And I've done 60+ miles on a mountain bike. I really don't think you need road bikes with skinny tires for long distances. I hate every minute that I ever spend on one, so they really don't work for ANY trips for me.

It will be my primary bicycle, and the bicycle is my primary mode of transportation. I was leaning toward Pashley, which is less expensive. But I keep going back to my cushy-tired mountain bike. The Retrovelo had almost everything I was looking for. It lacks a rear-wheel lock and skirt guard. If the Abus fits, they (My Dutch Bike in SF) will install it for me. And I know how to crochet, so I can take care of the skirt guard myself.

It's a lot of money, but DH's custom built bikes cost much more. It's an investment.