Boxhill Original Sportive

[Gruffy]

http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/cycling-we...

Are there any PHers having a crack at this on Sunday? I've not yet ridden the Surrey Hills, apart from Boxhill, so I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about with Leith Hill and the others.

[ohHello]

Gruffy said:

http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/cycling-we...

Are there any PHers having a crack at this on Sunday? I've not yet ridden the Surrey Hills, apart from Boxhill, so I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about with Leith Hill and the others.

I did it a couple of years ago. Nice route.
Box Hill is nice, not because it's a tough hill - it isn't - but because it's utterly beautiful.

Leith Hill is a bit of a swine but not too bad, goes on a bit.

Couple of very very pretty villages you'll be going through.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Which route of the three are you doing? It looks like the southern loop is just to add miles, I can't think of any big hills out Kirdford way. Leith Hill is quite tough, there's a steep part between farm buildings, then it slacks off before it steepens a bit. A lovely long descent - watch the sharp left-hander - then through Abinger Common (lovely, but vewwy, vewwy, Suwwey) over the main road and straight in to Whitedown, which to me is the hardest hill on the route. Cross the railway, and there's a sharp left right S bend and then it is a long steep slog.

As the other poster said, Boxhill isn't too tough. I think the road was put in by the (Canadian) Army when they were based up there during WW2, it's a very steady gradient, probably steepest at the bottom before the hairpins start. Fantastic views all the way up, especially after the left hander after the cafe at the top.

[Gruffy]

I've driven the Hills many times over the years, just not yet on the bike. Boxhill has been done a few times now (rode it on Monday too) and while it's a lovely place I agree it's really over-hyped.

I'll be doing the 102 mile route, hopefully fairly quickly, though I'm riding solo at the moment. I'm also in the Parkour Ride at Tobacco Dock representing roadies on Saturday (probably in the PH jersey), so hoping not to crash on that.

[esuuv]

I'm doing the 102 - well i say doing, am lacking motivation - i have paid and have a place !!

how fast are you planning on going?

[ALawson]

Gruffy, I am doing it with three others who are confirmed, potentially 5. Not going balls out more a sensible pace as this will be one of the groups longest ride, I expect our average speed will be 26-27kmh.

Two of us did a recce http://www.strava.com/activities/193923334 of the hilly part of the route a few weeks ago and am looking forward to it.

Leith Hill and Whitedown are steepish in parts but not that bad in reality.

I will be in PH regalia!

P.S. Thanks for setting that route up on Strava, which I have shamelessly stolen.

Edited by ALawson on Wednesday 1st October 15:24

[Gruffy]

I'm not sure what average speed I'll end up with. At the Etape Cymru I managed 28km/h but that was uphill or downhill the entire way. It was closed roads though. I'm hoping for something closer to 30, but that may be wishful thinking, I've no idea. Still new to this.

I'm donning the PH jersey for the Parkour thing the night before so I'll probably be sporting my pink Rapha (with beard) for Sunday. Aiming to start around 8am.

[Gruffy]

ALawson said:

P.S. Thanks for setting that route up on Strava, which I have shamelessly stolen.

You're welcome. Here it is for anybody else who'd like it http://www.strava.com/routes/1014589

[neenaw]

Gruffy said:

You're welcome. Here it is for anybody else who'd like it http://www.strava.com/routes/1014589

Thanks for that, looks like a good route to try.

I've got to agree with the earlier comment regarding Whitedown being the hardest hill on the route, I regularly ride it on the MTB as part of a route I do and it's bloody hard going.The really stupid thing is that the singletrack back down Whitedown isn't even that good so it's hardly worthwhile going up there in the first place but it's one of those things that you might as well do if you're there!

I've never actually got round to trying it on the roadbike yet so I'll have to give it a crack next time I'm down there.

[Daveyraveygravey]

ALawson said:

Gruffy, I am doing it with three others who are confirmed, potentially 5. Not going balls out more a sensible pace as this will be one of the groups longest ride, I expect our average speed will be 26-27kmh.

Two of us did a recce http://www.strava.com/activities/193923334 of the hilly part of the route a few weeks ago and am looking forward to it.

Leith Hill and Whitedown are steepish in parts but not that bad in reality.

I will be in PH regalia!

P.S. Thanks for setting that route up on Strava, which I have shamelessly stolen.

Edited by ALawson on Wednesday 1st October 15:24

Hmm...it looks to me like Leith and Whitedown are both near the end, I'd be sure to leave something in the tank. White down especially shocked me last time I,went up it, maybe I was just having a bad day...

[ALawson]

Dave apart from the first climb it's fairly flat for the first 60miles, as you say just need to pace yourself(selves) until the hilly 15mile section.

Hopefully the forecast doesn't change.

[MadDad]

6k ft of climbing over 100 miles is not too bad at all - almost flat!!

IMHO Whitedown is the toughest of the hills on the route - mainly because it kick's up quite sharply towards the end of the climb. Leith is not a bad climb it just seems to go on forever and Box is not bad at all - only really feels steep-ish on the two switch-backs. Chapel Lane has a nasty sting in it's tail towards the top as well. The hardest thing on Box Hill at the weekend is getting past the dozens of walkers and the sight-seers stopping in their cars half way up to take in the views!

For Leith, Whitedown, and Chapel Lane start as you mean to go on, don't be tempted to hit them hard at the bottom - just keep a steady tempo and give yourself a bail gear and you will be fine!

Having taken a quick look at the route the 'flat' bit in the middle is probably tougher than the 'big' climbs, as a lot of the roads South of Ewhurst are quite draggy and have quite a crappy surface.

One thing I would say is take care on the descents, some of them seem long and sweeping but get tighter and tighter - coming off Leith it's not difficult to 45mph+ and the road narrows quite quickly in places, at the weekend the Surrey Hills are extremely popular with walkers and sight-seers so it's not unusual to come around a corner and find a car in your path or half a dozen people in walking boots spread across the road!!

[Daveyraveygravey]

Last weekend there was a mud and sand bank on one of the corners after St Marthas which could have been really nasty, but I don't think you go that way this weekend.

There will be a lot of cyclists too, it has to be one of the highest concentrations of weekend warriors around.

[yellowjack]

MadDad said:

6k ft of climbing over 100 miles is not too bad at all - almost flat!!

You've got that right

You can easily fit >5,000ft of climbing into 50 miles just between Newland's Corner and Dorking if you're happy chugging up and down the 'known' climbs along the way.

(Although, to be fair, that took me more than 4 hours to complete at <12mph average speed )

[Daveyraveygravey]

Here you go - Legs of Steel route -

http://www.fulontri.com/sites/default/files/events...

And it could be harder - it avoids Whitedown, and misses the steeper bottom part of Leith! A great event, some properly strong/fast guys (and girls) on it last week.

[Gruffy]

ALawson said:

Hopefully the forecast doesn't change.

I don't want to jinx it but it looks great at the moment. Low temps, low wind and clear skies.

[ALawson]

Gruffy said:

I don't want to jinx it but it looks great at the moment. Low temps, low wind and clear skies.

Indeed, looking good.

I will look out for you on Sunday, I assume you are on the £300 special!

[robbyd]

Box Hill ain't a hill! More of a gentle slope that goes on for a while. Go and find Whitedown or Winterfold at the end of a ride and then you'll you what Surrey Hills are about! (Can hurt!)

[Gruffy]

ALawson said:

Gruffy said:

I don't want to jinx it but it looks great at the moment. Low temps, low wind and clear skies.

Indeed, looking good.

I will look out for you on Sunday, I assume you are on the £300 special!

£279.99. The Mighty Triban!

I'm planning on setting off at 8am, but it's an early start for me as I have a late night on Saturday and still have to walk the pooch on Sunday morning, so that may slip. I should be easy to spot with my pink Rapha stripe and soppy hair.

[Mobile Chicane]

A recent survey of Box Hill villagers reveals that 94% of residents think that the increased volume of cyclists post Olympics impacts negatively on their lives.

If you can't stay away, be respectful.