I did my local MS 150 for 23 consecutive years. One year I even timed a nearly four-month cross-country bike ride so as not to miss the event. As the years went by it grew from fewer than 2,000 people to over 7,000 people if the weekend weather was good. For several years I was one of the top fundraiser. IIRC, I got as high as 22nd. I also used to put out road signs the day before the event. With that many people there was too much craziness. Even getting to the start and on the road became a PITA. During my last time participating some jerk tried to squeeze by me on the right during a turn and nearly took me out. I was already so far over the right that he was brushing against the foliage. I said to him "If you do that again I'm going to knock your teeth out." "Don't threaten me!" "I'm not threatening you. I'm warning you." At that moment I knew it would be my last time participating.