Emotional ramble warning: After a gap in a long cycling life I came back to find that rather than everything being run by volunteers there was huge publicity for commercially run events. Re-finding Audax proved that the Corinthian, amateur, volunteering ethos is still flourishing, getting a good feed of new riders from Sportives who want that spirit along with some truly epic challenges and less fuss (and cost). Wierd, friendly, traditional, retro, trendy (!) forward looking, respecting traditions, however you want to look at it. The variety of events is huge, there is razamatazz if you want it though not often. Or you might be sent on your way by a bloke in a car park with "see you in two days". Self sufficiency, physical and mental challenge, cameraderie, ride alone, ride with a group, hares and tortoises, diversity, smaller events, meaning quieter smaller and more wonderful roads presented by the local expert.
And the grumpys in bus shelters? They're still there, but in with the steel there'll be titanium, tubeless, tri-bars, gpx, bike-packing kit and other new fangled devices. They'll be the ones with the route sheet, spares to lend you and a wet wipe for your brow. And it's great to see younger riders appreciating steel, Carradice, Brooks, fixed wheel.
In other words, it's in a good state.