I looked into and was invited to a fairly large cycling group in OC about 15 miles from where I live. After reviewing their routes, some of them passed within a mile from my doorstep. I live in prime road cycling territory bordering LA Co and OC. The next closest club is in Chino also about 15 miles away. There are fun routes to Chino for me as well. Seems I would be wasting an hour driving round trip or riding to their start points for some rides I have no interest in.
Group rides would appeal to me but I am somewhat in the middle. I am not a novice, nor do I ride competitively and there is no way I am keeping up with younger cyclists who weigh 150 lbs up hills. So unless I organize my own group for middle aged Clydes/Athenas, or lose 30 lbs and increase my average speed/endurance, there is not much going on for people like me in my immediate area.