I ride a cross bike as a road bike, so I guess I can share some of my experience despite never having ridden the Boone. A cross bike is typically slower than a road bike on the road, but to such a small degree as to be imperceptible to nearly any rider. With some high-quality tires (like
these), you'll get a very smooth ride and give up virtually nothing in rolling resistance to a road bike.
If anything, longer rides would be more comfortable on a cross bike, since the position is usually more upright (this accounts for part of the speed difference) and the tires offer more cushion. I've done a century on mine, plus lots of shorter rides. No complaints at all with either comfort or speed.