Fleet to Box Hill Route

[Pot Odds]

Has anyone got any suggestions for a route from Fleet (hampshire) to Box Hill avoiding busy roads - I prefer quite country lanes and am thinking of a ride over there to visit family tomorrow AM.

Any recommendations from those who have ridden locally would be appreciated.

I'll map out something tonight to upload to my new Edge 820 but any advice on routes to follow or to avoid would be great

Thanks

Pot Odds

[Pot Odds]

I did indeed get it sorted and a very nice ride too although I opted to ride south of the Hogs Back and Guildford.

I climbed out through Ewshot to the top of Beacon Hill and then down to the Shepherd & Flock RB. After ducking under the RB there was about 1/4 mile of gravel farm track (crossing fingers against punctures) before rejoining tarmac and riding parallel to the Hogs Back through Seal, Puttenham, Compton and on to Peasmarsh. I then yoyo'd up and down via Unsted, Wonersh, Shamley Green, Farley Green & Sutton Abinger in an effort to keep on quieter roads.

Heading north I found Whitedown Lane about 5 miles out from Box Hill - my god that was a beast - the sign at the bottom says 18% and it bust me bad but I managed to avoid the walk of shame and top 50% on strava when you're the wrong side of 40 seems ok. I was rather concerned at this point that I might struggle with Box Hill if it was as bad a Whitedown Lane but it turned out to be a pussycat in comparison - really very pleasant.

Really enjoyed the ride and had the bonus of lunch and a swim at brother in laws nearby with the family afterwards on a glorious summer day - best day ever !

Edited by Pot Odds on Sunday 14th August 22:01

[okgo]

Certainly the best way to go. North of Gford is just dull as dishwater, south is quieter and has some good roads, and an extra climb of note, unless you ride the whole way down the A24.

[yellowjack]

I was out all day Saturday, and I know it's too late to help you out, but just in case you want to try a different route, here are some of my routes that go to, or take in, 'Box Hill'...

https://www.strava.com/routes/3975495 - 28 miles and 1,335ft - "Box Hill (flattish)" - one I worked out to be as flat as possible, and it isn't all that dull IMHO

https://www.strava.com/routes/49703 - 75 miles and 5,525ft (there and back, though) - "Box Hill Loop with climbs aplenty." - a random loop taking in some of the big climbs in the area,as far east as Box Hill in a lazy 'nice day out' kind of loop

https://www.strava.com/routes/2671686 - 107 miles and 7,875ft ('proper' climbing loop) - "Insanity?" - I was less fit when I created this one than I am now. Hence "Insanity?". It seemed like a real big challenge at the time. Still a challenge, but one I know I can achieve on any given day

https://www.strava.com/routes/6114652 - 122 miles and 10,500ft (the BIG one!) - "120 miles - 'Heavy on the Hills'" - this is my latest foolhardy idea. I "need" to do Barhatch, so why not just stick it in the melting pot with t'others and make a real climbing day of it? Created last Friday while I was sat at home with sore (possibly fractured) ribs feeling sorry for myself, unable to ride. So I've not ridden it yet.

There's a good variety of wholly or partly different ways to get across there, and a lot of the time I just wiggle over there without a fixed route in my head. And you can head there directly without significant intermediate climbs, or get up onto the 'spine' of the Surrey Hills and ride every last one of the 'known' climbs between here and there based on your available time and how hard you want to make it.

All the above routes are easily edited to start in Fleet rather than in Farnborough, too.