My solution to everything is 80's sport touring bikes: Miyata, Trek, Bridgestone, Univega, Fuji, etc. Lugged steel (nice to look at, comfy on less than ideal road conditions), double or triple-butted cromo (not too heavy), usually clearance for 28s + fenders, usually braze-ons for fenders/rear rack, easy to find (also pretty cheap, and easy to unload if you want to), easy to upgrade or downgrade as your needs change, geometry is sensible,. Plenty of those frames being used as CX bikes, too, you can use the same frame for touring, CX, fixed gear, put some north roads on it and go to the farmer's market with a wicker basket, whatever.