Sometimes serviceable is ok.

Routing can sometimes be a matter of preference. I do most of my riding alone, but when I've ridden with others I found I had a bit more of preference for direct-straightforward-flat route than they might have for a more beautiful-scenic-quieter route. So while I might listen, I might also still make my own choice based on my preferences and thoughts for the day.

For example, heading from Portland through the Columbia River Gorge there are several alternatives - but on the Oregon side two common ones might be either to take the old US 30 vs. I-84 (in a few spots you'll only be on I-84). There is a pretty sharp contrast between these routes. US 30 is certainly a lot prettier, quieter, goes past some nice waterfalls and is a great historic route - and the interstate is, well, the interstate. Yet, even with that - there are days when I might just choose to ride via I-84... So even if someone told me the cases and reasons why US 30 is just a much better route (and I definitely agree*), I might still choose to ride I-84 that day.

So don't take it personally, if you provided reasonable info and they still made their choice differently.

* I-84/US-30 in the Gorge is a little extreme; but I'll have a different example riding between Fort Collins and Cheyenne where I do have a preference for I-25 over US-85 - and that preference wouldn't always be shared by others.