Many years ago I rode mountain bikes and riding with a bunch of people was fun. I did ride solo a few times on the trails but never felt like same.
Now I ride road only and you couldn't pay me to ride with others. I don't want to ride at someone else's pace or watch out for wheel overlap. I don't trust others and I am pretty sure if you rode with me, you wouldn't trust me either. It takes skill to ride in groups. This is a skill I don't have and really don't want.
The wrinkle is I am contemplating a gravel bike and riding with a few others at the slower pace on gravel roads sounds like a good match. At this point I don't know but having at least one other person might be the ticket.