I can relate to the solitary riding aspect of your rides.

I started riding back in the early 80's, and I have rarely ridden with another person along. If you look at the times that I actually planned an organized "meet-up-and-ride" with another person, I can count those occasions on one hand in those 25 years. It's kind of strange... because I'm a very extroverted person... the kind who chats with strangers in the grocery checkout line. But when it comes to riding, I simply feel more relaxed when I ride alone.

Besides... I think the time/space continuum would warp and my head would implode if I ever saw another bike commuter out there with me!