I participate in non-competitive events but only those that I can ride to. In Melbourne here, we have a reasonably active bicycle organization (bicycle victoria) that organizes a few cycling events each year such as Great Victorian Bike Ride, Around the Bay in a Day. Problem is Around the Bay is 210km for the longer ride, and if I had to ride to the city and back that'd be 250. In fairness, I don't fancy myself doing either of those distances in one day.