You describe a bike that I could see owning too - a CX frame with rack and fender mounts with road bike gearing like Sram Apex or a Shimano triple and how about disc brakes. The primary purpose is light duty off-road, like fast gravel fire roads with some hills thrown in.

I don't know if this bike will accommodate 700x32, but after seeing this bike in a Mag, I"m still a fan.
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes...-metro-classic