I think it's just generally another super terrible roll out. Some people are getting them some aren't yet. By the time everyone gets the ability to make a route all the routes will be made.

The range is pretty short, try going to common hotspots like parks and stuff. I finally found a couple at a college near my house.

This is in my nearby list

This is in my profile

I followed one the other day. It took 3 tries to start it bc my location kept drifting. It's a good way to herd people who are glued to their phone into a trap... It's an odd feature.