Box Hill, Olympic Road Race
Discussion
Was watching Country File last night which featured Chris Boardman and one of the presenters at Box Hill. Was thinking about spectating next year at this venue. Does anybody know whether it's a ticket only part of the road race or can anybody turn up (very early, I guess....they were talking about 50k spectators at Box Hill alone!).
The only part of the road race that is ticketed is The Mall. Everywhere else, it'll be a free event.
I saw the article too last night and I live a mile from the hill. Cycle up it all the time and i was shocked that Chris Boardman suggested the pros will do it in 3 minutes. thats a bloody 30mph average! i have no idea where he plucked that figure from.
I saw the article too last night and I live a mile from the hill. Cycle up it all the time and i was shocked that Chris Boardman suggested the pros will do it in 3 minutes. thats a bloody 30mph average! i have no idea where he plucked that figure from.
They were talking about having fenced off areas for spectators. Problem with that is if you happen to be a couple of rows back, all you'll see is helmets. I must admit that I thought that it would be something like the Cols (not physically!) during the TdF until he mentioned the numbers expected and the length (or not) of it.
On the subject of how long they'll take to climb it, I remember watching the TdF when it came over in the mid 90s on Harting Hill thinking that would slow them up. Not a chance, they went up it faster than I could go down it.
If Box Hill is out, anybody know of another good place to watch?
On the subject of how long they'll take to climb it, I remember watching the TdF when it came over in the mid 90s on Harting Hill thinking that would slow them up. Not a chance, they went up it faster than I could go down it.
If Box Hill is out, anybody know of another good place to watch?
But are those times fresh, from somewhere very local? After racing from central London 3 mins would be amazing - what would they tail off to after 9 laps?
Actually, I'm assuming the 'lap' is from Box Hill, across Headley, then left at the triangle, left again, and along the bottom road to come out at the start of the hill - is that right?
I think one of those is about 10 miles in itself...
Actually, I'm assuming the 'lap' is from Box Hill, across Headley, then left at the triangle, left again, and along the bottom road to come out at the start of the hill - is that right?
I think one of those is about 10 miles in itself...
Nah those times are from riders that have ridden about 20 miles first, but 20 miles to a person that rides a bit is nothing, 20 miles to a pro is nothing, they will pobably have done more than that on the turbo trainer before the start to warm up 
The other thing to think about it no matter how hard the hills may be to you or I, they're used to climbing proper mountains, and lots of them, one after the other, for 3 weeks, with almost no rest.
As with everything it depends on what is happening in the race, if everyone is still together when they get to box then if a few of the climbers wanted to attack I guess they could set some VERY fast times, who knows!
The route is meant to favour the sprinter anyway as its a 'flat' stage in their world.
The other thing to think about it no matter how hard the hills may be to you or I, they're used to climbing proper mountains, and lots of them, one after the other, for 3 weeks, with almost no rest.
As with everything it depends on what is happening in the race, if everyone is still together when they get to box then if a few of the climbers wanted to attack I guess they could set some VERY fast times, who knows!
The route is meant to favour the sprinter anyway as its a 'flat' stage in their world.
I have a mate who is working for LOCOG on cycling events, and yes, Box Hill will be limited viewing. I believe the plan is to make it ticketed for entrance to to fenced areas on the hill. The issue is mainly due to the site being an SSSI and the National Trust as owner protecting it.
Before anybody asks, the tickets will be free. What he didn't know (or wouldn't give away) is what the exact mechanism for distribution of them is. The ticketing is just to ensure numbers are strictly controlled to the agreed limit with NT.
Before anybody asks, the tickets will be free. What he didn't know (or wouldn't give away) is what the exact mechanism for distribution of them is. The ticketing is just to ensure numbers are strictly controlled to the agreed limit with NT.
well i just did 5 circuits (well, i went down headley road instead of the b2033 then a24 as they will do) and it certainly does warm up the legs! i have no hope in hell of getting one close to 3 mins let alone 9 in a row. i fully appreciate that it is simply a mole hill to them but ill believe 3 minutes when i see it. even 3 mins on the first lap would be phenomenal 
anywho, even this event sounds like it will be ticketed in a novel way. sounds like i will be queueing for hours just to get my "free" ticket...
anywho, even this event sounds like it will be ticketed in a novel way. sounds like i will be queueing for hours just to get my "free" ticket...
Where are you timing from?
Personally I think there will be no massive push on the hill and that they will probably do it in the 4's and 5's each time. But I think if one of them really went for it they'd be bloody close to a 3!
Probably a power rider would be best for a one off burst, a Cancellara or something, just power up it.
Personally I think there will be no massive push on the hill and that they will probably do it in the 4's and 5's each time. But I think if one of them really went for it they'd be bloody close to a 3!
Probably a power rider would be best for a one off burst, a Cancellara or something, just power up it.
okgo said:
Where are you timing from?
Personally I think there will be no massive push on the hill and that they will probably do it in the 4's and 5's each time. But I think if one of them really went for it they'd be bloody close to a 3!
Probably a power rider would be best for a one off burst, a Cancellara or something, just power up it.
this is regarded by anyone who wants to compare times as the bottom to top...Personally I think there will be no massive push on the hill and that they will probably do it in the 4's and 5's each time. But I think if one of them really went for it they'd be bloody close to a 3!
Probably a power rider would be best for a one off burst, a Cancellara or something, just power up it.
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=395...
this is a few people who time themselves up there:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12...
5.35 was quickest posted time last year, 5.37 quickest so far this year.
I saw the tender for crowd control a few weeks ago. It was for fencing, toilets and crowd control marshals 'to protect the SSSI from crowd damage'.
It is a great viewing point if the spectating areas are in the right places.
I can't see them doing 30mph up it but they did over 30mph for the first two hours of day one on the Giro d'Italia.
It is a great viewing point if the spectating areas are in the right places.
I can't see them doing 30mph up it but they did over 30mph for the first two hours of day one on the Giro d'Italia.
I live on Box Hill and when I used to be fit the quickest I did it in was around 10 mins on a MTB. 5 minutes is incredible!!
I can't see 50,000 people getting to Box Hill... it's going to be a logistical nightmare and most residents are properly annoyed about it. (I'm looking forward to it!).
Unless people are going to be standing in peoples front gardens I can't see where everybody is going to watch from! Everywhere is apparently going to be coned off, there will be no where to park... It's going to be mayhem!
The one point which is a bit worrying... there's a lot of oldie's on Box Hill and there's always ambiwlans's are always going up and down the hil... what if there's an emergency?? When this was asked at the local debate with Police / Event organisers they had no answer... which is worrying!
Anyhow, I'll be there watching it for sure! Looking forward to it.
I can't see 50,000 people getting to Box Hill... it's going to be a logistical nightmare and most residents are properly annoyed about it. (I'm looking forward to it!).
Unless people are going to be standing in peoples front gardens I can't see where everybody is going to watch from! Everywhere is apparently going to be coned off, there will be no where to park... It's going to be mayhem!
The one point which is a bit worrying... there's a lot of oldie's on Box Hill and there's always ambiwlans's are always going up and down the hil... what if there's an emergency?? When this was asked at the local debate with Police / Event organisers they had no answer... which is worrying!
Anyhow, I'll be there watching it for sure! Looking forward to it.
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