>>1604519I would also, especially if budget is tight (~1k-1.5k, instead of ~2k-3k) consider a trad touring bike, with bar end shifters, full racks, and 3x9 drivetrain like a fuji touring or trek 520
Or,
A budget aluminium gravel/cx bike like a fuji jari or toughroad SLR as a kind of sport tourer, and lightly load it is a good cheaper option.
The other thing i'd strongly consider spending money on, would be a dynamo setup for lighting, for riding at night or in the early morning to beat the heat.
