Not so much. Day 1 spreads the field thin, very thin. It only regroups at Elkford and Sparwood as there are beds there. (old route)whitestone wrote: On the TDR given the numbers, unless you are a fast rider and out front then you are likely to spend the first few days riding in and around other riders until things get spread out. This is likely regardless of whether you want to ride with someone else or not. There'll be a lot of ebb and flow as riders' natural strengths and weaknesses come into play plus the effects of eating at different times, etc., etc.
I spent most of day 2 alone until near the Wall where I rode with Corey for a chunk until splitting at Eureka and riding on. Then on Day two alone again until I hooked up with Tom after he caught up to me with slightly improved knees - thankfully! There are plenty of opportunities to ride alone on the first few days, the route is very conducive to this. It's a decision to ride with someone else, know them or not. Mostly, I chose not to unless it was late in the day and I wanted some company over a big pass. Everyone is different.
My longest period spent alone was between day 4 and 6 - nearly 30 hours solo until I reached Wise River after coming down from Fleecer in a storm. Was one of the highlights of my ride. The solitude, not running from a storm over Fleecer - brown pants moment that was. Resolved with several beers at Wise River :)
EDIT - I thought about this quite a bit after coming back. I wish I'd rode alone more than I did. Not for ethical reasons, but because when I did interact with locals it was even more special after I'd spent the day alone. When I was riding with Bailey and Justin through Wyoming and Colorado we just cruised through towns talking to ourselves - prior to that in the upper states, I spoke with locals more when I did stop (or totally ignored them as I was confused by people). Was fun again when I hit NM after by mechanical. Anyway, total aside.