Greetings FatBoB,
Welcome to you from the Manchester Group.
As a National Member you can join any of the Groups, not just the nearest geographically.
All of the Groups welcome riders to join them, if you ride regularly then I am sure that you would naturally be prepared to chip in a nominal amount towards their running costs. We at Manchester are happy for anybody to join our run outs, they are published on this Forum and are they are booked through our run organiser on a first come first served basis. The runs are often in the Peak District but we ride all over the country not just in our 'back yard' so to speak. We ask that riders comply with all highway legal aspects; ride with due consideration to the lanes; the other riders plus the multitude of other users we meet on the lanes. Our simple philosophy is that the countryside should be available to all considerate users.
If I might comment on semantics, we do not ride off road but use non tarmac covered roads. A small point but one that is very important to our Code Of Conduct to which all Members subscribe. If you want off road then you would need to join a Trials club or visit a private venue.
Hope to meet you out on the lanes soon
TTFN
Hugh.