Thanks all. My first encounter with Audax (and this forum) was in 2013 as a volunteer on LEL. That experience inspired me to ride it this year. But as 2017 neared, I said to myself, "who am I kidding, I can't do this" and volunteered again (was controller at Alston). This time, again inspired by meeting the riders (esp. the VC 167 lot!) I decided to take the plunge. I may hate it, of course.