I was in the B group Vedettes in 2011 and E group (deliberately) vedettes in 2015. (Tourist in 2007). The vedettes rode much better in groups, but the B group was too fast and twitchy for me, and I enjoyed the E group - more relaxed but lots of well disciplined riders sharing the pace - was like being on a magic carpet to Mortagne. Each time I've been ahead of the bulge and been happy that I was because staff at the controls weren't frazzled, there was plenty of space to sleep, and I didn't have to go foraging around for uncertain service in cafes. If I was riding this year I would have chosen to go in the last vedette group again. First night stops were Carhaix (2007, 2am), Brest 2011 (9pm), Brest 2015 (10pm). I found the 4.30 - 5pm starts in 2011 & 2015 much better than the 10pm start in 2007 as it brought Brest within my range.
Appreciate that's not so helpful for riders that aren't going to do 600km in 30 hours (which is easier to do on PBP than on most Audaxes because of the numbers of riders), but the lesson I learned in 2011 was. I set a goal that was a bit hard for my expectations and didn't enjoy it, whereas in 2015 I stayed more in my comfort zone and went with the flow - and enjoyed it a lot more.