Coming in a bit late on this post but I was there with friends. It was a very slow ride for me. I've road in Critical Mass which was a lot funner, friendlier and faster paced (especially not stopping for the lights). Also I felt there are a lot more people who know how to ride with Critical Mass whereas the LATE ride - everyone and their rusted up barely road-worthy bikes were there.
Plus.. at the VERY end of the ride some jerk came barreling down the trail and slammed into my friend on her side and fell on top of her. As she was laying on the ground injured he grabbed his bike and took off - not even a sorry. Needless to say that pissed us all of quite a bit. She has a fractured wrist and plenty of road rash.
I don't think I will go next year.