I don't think you offended, but there are all sorts of group rides: social, training, combination with lots of break aways and regrouping (this is how we typically ride), and strict pacelines, to name a few. Many times on a social ride, the idea is to stay together - hills will always stretch out a group. We almost always regroup at major turns/roads/etc... but with all the breakaways, a rider can easily ride as hard as they choose, and no drop makes it fun for all.