Favorite places to ride, hmm. Probably that ride you linked to, or better yet going across the GWB to the Henry Hudson Drive route along the river. That road in there is super nice. Prospect Park is also usually pretty good, but I'd avoid Central Park unless you go in bad weather or early mornings.
I have two bikes -- a Salsa Casseroll single speed with 32mm tires, and fenders, which I use for going places (I lock it up outside when I do) as well as for bad-weather rides. The other bike is a plasticy Trek Domane which I'll use for purely recreational rides in nicer weather.