What features of Strava have helped with that? Did you find a local cycling group on Strava and met up with people via that? I seem to be a cycling (or at least group riding) dead zone, because there don't seem to be any active groups near me.
I get kudos from friends afar but the only person that Strava helped me connect with was someone that I chatted briefly at a stoplight with, who then found me via Strava flyover. But even then, we've never ridden together since.
Use the flyover feature and segment leaderboards to identify users active in your area, then check which clubs they have joined. Some of those clubs might have a weekly group ride either listed as a Strava event, or on a linked web site or Facebook group.
Many bike shops also organize a weekly group ride as a marketing strategy. If you're already coming there to ride then there's a good chance you'll buy something or use their mechanic service.
Flyover also helped me connect with groups that I would see riding in other directions. Since flyover was made opt-in, I haven't gotten any use out of it.
Opt-in is probably a really good idea, even though it killed the feature. I really liked that feature. But yea, it was too easy to abuse.
Are you able to see any frequent routes using the global heat map?
I get kudos from friends afar but the only person that Strava helped me connect with was someone that I chatted briefly at a stoplight with, who then found me via Strava flyover. But even then, we've never ridden together since.