I started participating in group road rides again this summer...and have been very lucky in terms of access to rides. Most of the starting locations are within 4 miles of my house, so it is easy enough to ride to the start (as others who live in town tend to do). One group starts at a location in a town 15 miles away; I decided that if I really want to do a 50-60 mile ride, I'm better going solo and having the whole ride consist of better scenery.

My town also has an annual bicycle festival with a number of loosely organized rides, and it starts at the park that's about a half mile from my house.

I have not done a ton of organized events - and determined that I'm not cut out for racing. Randonneuring seems like it would be fun. I'd rent a car for that.

This, exactly! Some of my favorite activities: distinguish Catholic and Lutheran churches; determine whether a farm is Amish or English based on the hay bales; track the ratio of red to non-red barns.