long distances are fine, as long as you're ready for them*. i recently rode up to nyack, ny for the first time (i live in the bronx), which is a ride that's jam-packed with roadies - it's about fifty miles, over the george washington bridge, up 9W, and to Nyack where there's a coffee shop called the Runcible Spoon that's packed with bikers. some continue on to Bear Mountain.

*food, water, and a comfortable gearing. if you struggle up the hills on your commute, you should gear down for the hills you'll encounter on a longer ride when you're tired.

weekend laps of central park are nice, too.