I used to ride the MS 150's in Missouri back in the mid to late 80's. Volunteered and was chief medical/safety organizer (how I got that w/o any background in meds, I dunno) for a bunch of years. This was before "E" anything. Got sick of asking friends for money and paid the donation myself. It was a blast to ride way back then. My first long back to back rides of my cycling life (got a later start in that). Probably what kept me energized to ride in the early days. They're so much more organized and "slick" nowadays. Being on the "inside" was very interesting and made me all the more committed to the effort. In those days none of the other ride organizers knew much about cycling so, it was a very ragtag affair but, a lot of fun! Rest stops every 10 miles, lots of cheering on. Great cuase to boot.