We have very little in common, but I'll submit another data point. I'm an old (50), fat (200#) guy living in the (mostly) flatlands, (but it can be windy) and I like to spin. I'm running 42x17/40x19 SS on my San Jose commuter. Bike has fenders, so flipping is a *****. I have a 17/19 Dos ENO freewheel and 42/40 crankset. The 40/19 is my "once in a great while headwind ride home gear", otherwise I use the 42x17. Nice thing is, when I change gears the chain length isn't affected, so brakes, fenders, etc, don't cause problems.

Go 42x17.