+1 on the different bikes for commuting/errands versus longer rides. I wouldn't want to chain up a nice road bike anywhere. Yikees! If I got a road bike I would still keep my hybrid, so perhaps your consideration might be which kind of bike to buy first.

Just to add a two points, I ride 30-50 miles with no problem on my hybrid. Some actual bike shorts and gloves and I think I could definitely go further. However, I don't think that I would ride a century on my hybrid. So I don't think that a hybrid would necessarily shorten your riding distance, depending on how far you want to go. . . and how fast.

I think that one can get up to decent speeds on a hybrid as well, depending on what you goals are. You'd have to be stronger to keep up with strong roadies but I pass regular roadies all the time (i.e. those who are not clearly racers or in a weekend peloton).