Originally Posted by aliasfox

If getting up (especially steep) hills is a requirement, maybe something like an Aventon E-Bike will assure you of that. You should be able to adjust the e-assist as needed - no assist for exercise, turn it on to get up a 10% grade. Most Citibikes in NYC seem to be e-assist bikes now, and Manhattan's not even especially hilly.

If something like that doesn't appeal, then something like an entry level Trek Domane or Specialized Roubaix should be easy to find/test ride at a local store. Much lighter than a Trek Verve, and with Shimano 105 gearing, should be capable of taking a 36T big cog in the back (though they may come with 30 or 34T). These bikes have relatively upright geometry for a road bike, so don't think you'd have to hunch all the way down to reach the bars, unless you really want to get into the drops. There are e-assist versions of these too, but obviously heavier and more expensive than the purely Wheaties powered versions.