My experience has been that bike touring isn't all that different from down hill skiing, exploring National Parks or camping trios - lots of people talk about it but few people actually find the time, money or interest to do much more than buy the equipment. If I had waited for any of my friends or family for company - I NEVER would have ever done any of the trips I took on my own.
On the other hand - you're most likely to meet people that like downhill skiing at a ski hill, people who like National Parks at .... National Parks, and people that like bicycle touring .... on the road. Which still doesn't mean they'll have the same onterests and priorities as you. But it can still be good company for a couple days.
The only times I've started off traveling in a group has been with the GF and ocassionally with the kids when they were younger. The trips were always fun anyway.
Last edited by Burton; 07-29-13 at 06:18 PM.