Jason wrote:

"...perhaps you could test ride a Bianchi and see how it feels?"

I've never seen a fixie here in Bend, let alone a Bianchi, and the bike shops don't carry them.
They'd gladly order one for me, and they'd expect me to buy it.
We have a large and active biking community, but not fixie-minded.

Still, I appreciate Jason's report of his Bianchi experience.
Had he ridden a fixie before?