Beauty and the Beast ride in Tyler, Tx

[indysteel]

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!

[marni]

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.