Looking to ride the annual "Beauty and the Beast" ride in Tyler. Can't find much info on their website. Would like to know about the "Beast", support, time limit, etc. I started riding in August '05. Fairly comfortable with 16-17 mph. avg. speed (solo). My max so far is 60 miles on fairly hilly roads, but I'm planning to increase. Any info would be appreciated.

You might try bicycle-stuff.com it is a Texas cycling information site

Looking to ride the annual "Beauty and the Beast" ride in Tyler. Can't find much info on their website. Would like to know about the "Beast", support, time limit, etc. I started riding in August '05. Fairly comfortable with 16-17 mph. avg. speed (solo). My max so far is 60 miles on fairly hilly roads, but I'm planning to increase. Any info would be appreciated.

Looking to ride the annual "Beauty and the Beast" ride in Tyler. Can't find much info on their website. Would like to know about the "Beast", support, time limit, etc. I started riding in August '05. Fairly comfortable with 16-17 mph. avg. speed (solo). My max so far is 60 miles on fairly hilly roads, but I'm planning to increase. Any info would be appreciated.

I live in Tyler and ride most of this route every week. Attached is the elevation profile of the ride. The beast is about a 0.75 mile climb, I forget the gradient but it's probably 10-12% or so average. Most intersections will be flagged (NO traffic control though) and there are well supplied rest areas.
The terrain is mostly rolling, about 80% of the ride is chip & seal surface like the rest of Texas.
let me know if you have any other questions.

http://www.tylerbicycleclub.com/EventBBElevation.html

Thanks for the input. I will be heading to Tyler either this week or next depending on weather. I'm going to visit family so I may go for a short ride on a portion of the route. Hopefully the weather will be good for the ride in April. I have read a few reviews that rain has been a factor in the past, but everyone still had a good time and had great things to say about the ride and hospitality.