Anyone cycled the May Bike NY 5 Boro Ride?

I am going to cycle in the Bike NY 5 Boro ride this May. http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/index.html   Anyone here experienced the ride?  Kind of curious what to expect with 32,000 cyclists. Going to fly in and rent a bike. Anyone have experience doing that?  I know they recommend a vendor. I 've seen other vendors in the NYC area that seem more reasonable. Just curious if logically their rental would work the best. I am a newbie road rider but have done a hybrid for 2 years. Renting a road bike for this one  since it's totally on the road.  Like to hear other experiences with this.
Tom 

If the funds allow for it, check and see what type of bikes they are renting, then you might want to try renting the same bike from your local bike shop first and take it for a ride see if it is comfortable.

Renting is a good idea if you are flying, shipping a bike can be almost as expensive as buying another airline ticket and renting it can be substantially less.


Good luck with the ride.

Scott