Check out this map of New England's toughest hills:

http://www.northeastcycling.com/NE_Climbs_main.html

There is also a list of them:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...lU2cHo4eVZlY1E

You will find a few more around Williams than Amherst. They are both close to VT & NH with many more mountains.

In general, the terrain is rolling hills. While routes many not have the long mountain passes of the west, the rolling hills will gain you almost the same elevation and get you more tired.