All AMC rides are no drop. We are required, by our liability policy, to have a leader and a sweep, and to keep the group together.
I had just become a leader when this was instituted, and a good many of the bike leaders quit, as it was based on what works in hiking, where you always keep people together. This is why we screen for most rides, require registration, and close the ride at a certain number. And this is why, I ended up leading yesterday, because we could not have a huge group (30) of riders, where some average 14-16 and some average 10. Now, if someone says to me on a ride that he/she wants to go ahead, or stay behind, I assess the situation and say "fine," but that are "off the ride," which releases me of liability. We can also appoint others, who are not leaders, but we trust their judgment, to help with sweeping.
We do have week night series rides, that are no registration, and the intermediate level one tends to be a little loose with the rules, but we've managed to keep the racer boys away, despite some very strong riders who participate.
Helene, I did a charity ride in Foxboro/around the area a few years ago, I don't remember anything bad about the roads, but there are some nice rural areas very accessible from there.
So, while I do b***ch and moan about how the club seems to be getting a very large amount of a certain type of person, who sometimes are difficult to deal with, I prefer this to others. I do ride with and belong to a more traditional club, but only with a sub-group that does moderate to semi quick rides during the week, with a social bent. And even this sub-group now breaks down into a relaxed pace (11-12 mph), traditional pace (averaging around 13, but in reality, often going along at 15-17, until a hill apppears), or a "spirited" pace, averaging around 15. I feel like I can fit in with this group, and many are older, accomplished athletes, who are just nice.