I don't particularly care to group ride but over the years have done some (mostly charity events but sometimes with the B.K.) and always ride staggered formation trying to give myself enough room in case of a problem.
I find the joy of group riding isn't just in the "riding" ( I too love riding by myself), but in the stops in between riding and the conversations that take place, the food stops, etc. We use it as a way to show off other routes as well, roads that others may have never heard of before.