Thanks, all of you, for your replies. OneTinSlot, you were an urban warrior! Those areas you described are just crazy during the day, and I have never really tried riding at night. My battery only lasts one hour or so. But perhaps I'll try those routes one of those early mornings. I live in the Fenway area, so they're pretty close. (And I agree with you that bike paths suck. The Charles River path is full of inconsiderate pedestrians, runners, and rollerbladers.)

Friedman, I've heard much about Concord and its nice roads. I did check the CRW's website, but again most of their loops are kind of far from where I live. I'll check out the Mass Ave, Rt 2A route you suggested. What about Mt. Auburn, Trapelo, and Concord Ave? Is it nice to ride around there?

CRSO, not good Boston experience huh? I hear you. I'm new to cycling around here, but I've lived here for almost 6 years. But I'm still amazed at how people can just make a left turn in front of you as you clearly have the right of way to go straight. And many streets have no freaking street name signs!!! If they do, there'll be tiny, barely readable signs hidden far in a corner. Rude drivers, no lanes, millions of potholes, suicidal pedestrians--this is a different world from my home town in California.

But Boston has Harvard, and that's why I'm here. ;-)