I have no advice, but I sympathize. I just bought a bike with with a similar set up. And a 144 BCD crank, so I can't put anything smaller than 42 on the front. I have mostly rollers (this part of Florida is not flat) and they've been manageable but I haven't yet tried the few tougher hills in the area. I don't think I can take this one to the mountains.
Good luck.