Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
I've got a cyclocross bike with a cargo rack and panniers, plus (ahem) aerobars to give me another hand position. It's got a mount to carry the lock around in the frame. I use that one for getting to and from work (since they won't let a bike in the building) and for the kinds of errands I prefer to do by bike, but need to lock my bike up for.
But there's nothing but hills and mountains here, and I really like mountains. Probably I'll wind up ordering the climbing frame tonight.
I had about 6 months left before moving to San Diego and I bought a Crit bike, Cannondale Black Lightening, knowing I would be racing Crits when I got to SoCal. While the bike was a monster for it's designed purpose, the corncob on rear wheel almost killed me the first time I took it out around Port Orchard! I made a bee line back to the LBS for some gears to make do with until I got to San Diego.
I don't know what part of Seattle you are in, but there are some killer steep short climbs.