Amarillo Texas?

I've made the move to Amarillo last week and have started scoping the area out. Went to the local high end shop and asked where a good, safe place to ride was and they told me there was no one in the shop that day that even rides on the road so they weren't sure.
I've been told that some paople ride the acess roads that run along the interstates, which would be fine except that drivers come off the E-way rolling 75mph! Not for me, thank you! I'm used to the 70mph traffic of a long highway with a wide shoulder, but not the sudden sneak attack that the E-way would be. And in fact I lived in a very small town (800 pop) in SW Ks so I'm not used to riding in the town traffic either.
I heard there was a group of riders here, but I've only ridden with someone else one time and am very apprehensive about riding in a group. Mainly due to my being off the bike for the last month preparing for this move. My goal now is to just be ready to ride the 40mile ride at the Ride for the Roses in Oct.
If anyone has some good evening routes in the Amarillo area I would be very grateful to know of them. And also which streets to avoid. Thanks, Shane.