Beauty and the Beast ride in Tyler, Tx

Hi everyone,

I am new beginner cyclist. There is this ride in Tyler, Tx that my DH will be doing and he suggested I try to do it as well. If I did I would only do the the 25 mi ride, because it includes a lot of Rolling Hills and an awful Climb at the end. However, here in Dallas we don't have many hills and the few hills we do have, I struggle to get through. The "BEAST" seems very scary from what I have read, including people having to walk up the "Beast" because it's too steep with about a 14% grade and about .06 miles long. My questions to you all is, should I do this ride or get more training on hills before I attempt to attack the "beast"? Should I wait until next year?
I just don't know, I AM AFRAID OF THE BEAST :confused:.

Thanks.

I'm curious about the kind of bike that you'll be riding, or at least one that you plan to ride, that may give TE folk an idea of the gearing you might use and how much "help" you'll have. Riding a road bike with a compact double is MUCH different then riding a mountain bike up a hill.... different = HARDER.

I routinely ride up a steep .25 mile hill with pretty nasty grade issues, tho this is at the start of a ride (short Grocery store ride at that), not at the end. I'd image that riding 24 miles and come across a nasty hill would be reason for it's name. I find that I deal with short/steep hills BETTER then the long grind it out hills.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=39745

I rode up this on my 20+ pound cruiser... I felt like I was going to loose a lung at the top... but I made it.

Someone also once told me that there was never a hill that hadn't been walked.... so I wouldn't be afraid of this hill or embarrassed if you did have to walk it. It's just something that happens.

Good luck!!
Shannon

Do it. What's the worst that happens on the Beast?

You walk up it. It's no big deal, and you likely wouldn't be alone. But you might end up surprising yourself, too. If the whole ride was comprised of bad hills, I might encourage you to skip it. But one short hill that might be beyond your current ability is nothing to really worry about. Just make sure you're in your smallest chain ring and then make use of your smallest gears. Pace yourself and try to relax. Fourteen percent is relatively steep, but it sounds like it's short, so you either try your best to gut it out or you walk. Then you train and try again next year!

I second the sentiment from Indysteel. get up as far as you can in your easiest gear, sitting upright without a death clinch on your handlebars, when you can't go any further, get off and walk, still breathing deeply. Make a note of where you start walking and promise yourself that you will get further next year. Have a ball the rest of the ride, and give yourself a big pat on the back for facing the beast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dlolide

people having to walk up the "Beast" because it's too steep with about a 14% grade and about .06 miles long.

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I found "the beast" on Google Earth: It climbs from a low of 452 feet ASL to 692 feet ASL in about 2945 feet. That's an average 8% grade, though it starts out tamer and gets worse the farther one climbs.

(Hereabouts that's a trip to the grocery store - not a signature challenge of a tour.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dlolide

My questions to you all is, should I do this ride or get more training on hills before I attempt to attack the "beast"? Should I wait until next year?
I just don't know, I AM AFRAID OF THE BEAST

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If you are in shape to do the other 24 miles, then go for it! I don't know if you can really train for such a hill. It is too short to be an endless climb, and too long for a fast charge.

Thank you all for your advice and support. My bike is a Scott CR1 weighs about 16-17 lbs, the front is compact 34/50 and the cassette is 12/26, my husband says its more than enough for the climb.
I'm not in that great of shape, but have started riding a little. I looked at the ride routes and there are 3 rest stops, one is after the "beast".
Which means that I'm more 75% sure I may do this ride. Like you all said there is no shame in walking up the hill if needed.
And its not a race but a ride, I'm not setting a speed goal just a "I'm doing it" goal. I will let you all know if I decided to do it after this weekend.
Thank you very much Laura for the info from google earth, at least I know it's not a mile long. :).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dlolide

My bike is a Scott CR1 weighs about 16-17 lbs, the front is compact 34/50 and the cassette is 12/26, my husband says its more than enough for the climb.

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You might want to change out the cassette for a "MTB" 12/28 or 11/28 for this ride. The 28 teeth are beyond the usual spec for a road rear derailleur, but most seem to be able to reach. It'll give you a little bit easier gear for the hill climbing.