I've done the MS Ride in Arizona the last 2 years (which is stationed at a large park and is 2 days of loops of various distances, not a city-to-city ride like it is in Texas, for example), and camped 2 nights both times. I'm not much of a camper, myself, but it's a lot of fun to "live" at the venue. I understand it wasn't in the cards this time, but do try it out sometime.

I hope you have/had a great ride!