"I'm looking for a flat bar road bike/urban bike. The intent is to ride around town a good bit and hopefully eventually do some 60-100 mile events"

My only thought would be that with a flat bar bike & going these distance you don't have any other hand positions if your hands/neck/shoulders get tired. With drop bars you have options. I have a flat bar bike (Trek FX 7.3 2011) and that is one reason why I'm looking for a dropped bar road bike. Just my .02 cents worth.

Good luck and have a bunch of fun.