Might not be your cup of tea, but just thought I'd mention Team in Training, there might be a training group in your area starting up.

With TNT, you will need to raise a certain dollar amount for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by the event date. The fundraising minimum varies by event. A month or two prior to the event, you will need to "recommit", meaning that you guarantee that the LLS will receive the donation minimum; if you don't raise that minimum by fundraising, the difference comes out of your pocket.

In return, you'll get coaching and mentoring, more-or-less biweekly coached training rides in which people are grouped according to their abilities, less formal "buddy rides" organized by coaches & mentors on the off-weeks, and other fun group activities leading up to the event (and often, beyond). The event weekend itself is a celebration of your physical accomplishment and your support of a very worthwhile cause.

I've met lots of wonderful people through TNT and made lots of new bike buddies.

I just checked the MA chapter of TNT. Looks like they have a team forming now for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR) which will be held early June around Lake Tahoe (CA/NV).

http://www.teamintraining.org/ma/fir...turyridescycle

If AMBBR doesn't appeal, I wouldn't be surprised if a team forms later in the spring to train for a ride in the Greater Boston area. Keep an eye on the website or check out their information links.

Hope this helps, - Jo.