Originally Posted by Campag4life

To me, you described an Al and not a steel bike.
I just bought such a bike...Specialized Secteur...for same purpose...fast but capable of light touring...will fit up to 28c tires...eyelets to mount racks front and back. Unless doing very heavy touring, I personally wouldn't go steel. New Aluminum bike have an advantage over steel because tube geometry can be hydroformed to create differential stiffness unlike steel. Shape of Aluminum bikes can closely replicate carbon in fact. Tube shape is as important as material.

Exact bike I ordered...what I consider a great value i.e. cost/benefit for the type of riding you describe:
Specialized Bicycle Components