Also, regarding volunteering, there are plenty of positions still open. These include course marshals. Course marshals are fixed position volunteer opportunities. However, once the end of the tour approaches, course marshals are free to join the tour with their bicycle. Its not for everyone. You need to be there at about 5AM; then handling crowd control duties until the ride starts. After that, you support the riders. There could be rider assist marshal positions open - not sure. There are also many rest-stop volunteer positions open (banana passers).