This is the second time I've ridden this event, it's a 2-day ride from Anahuac just east of Houston to Galveston then on the second day from Galveston to Baytown. The 1st day's 70 mile ride is extremely fast with much of the route along the Bolivar Peninsula. A ferry then takes you into Galveston where you finish along Galveston Bay.  
 
I've never ridden much in the rain but got good practice on the 2nd day. After paralleling a storm front coming in from the gulf It finally caught up with me after about 20 miles and I spent the next 40 riding through a steady drizzle with a brutal east wind. Everything tapered off the last 15 miles and the end was at least decent.
 
Smooth roads, even the chip seal is tolerable. VERY well supported with countless police doing escort and traffic control. Very scenic especially during the second day and Galveston is impressive.

Quote from johnnybent on Oct 10^th, 2011, 4:20pm:

 
It's $140 for the ride, $29 for a dinner in Galveston
 
You pay for your own hotel room, still worth it just to hang around Galveston