Well since your local to me what areas have you been riding and what are you looking to grow into. You've always seemed like the laid back slow and steady type of guy who's not into jumps and drops, so a XC bike would be my guess. Becuase your not exactly in your twenties like me I can also suggest leaning toward a full suspension bike but still aimed at XC. What kind of money would you consider to be your range because we all know what one person thinks is mid grade can be someone else dream bike.
I do plenty of group rides in the area but I'll admit there are ether to extreme in ether difficulty or distance for most so rider beware
Fell free to ask me an opinion of anything you want to look at locally but like chone has learned although I make good suggestions I'll also tempt you into spending more then you planned.