Leith Hill Surrey

[ChrisMCoupe]

So I rode this for the first time last night after stumbling across some lovely looking hills/lanes in the car over the weekend and was getting a little bored of incorporating Box Hill into every ride I do.

Christ. It makes me wonder why every man and his dog seems to drag their arse up Box Hill when there are hills in quite frankly a different league just round the corner. Twice the gradient at least in places, twice as hard and far more rewarding at the top.

Definitely worth giving Coldharbour lane a go, if like me, Box Hill has become a bit boring and far too over crowded on a sunny weekend.

http://app.strava.com/activities/50665114

Oh and nice views at the top too

[option click]

Totally agree.

Really don't understand the recent obsession with Box Hill (Olympics/Wiggo hype aside) when you have far better routes a couple of miles down the road.

PS, the little cafe at LH tower does some pretty nice cakes too

Edited by option click on Friday 26th April 10:21

[anonymous-user]

Leith hill is a much harder and more rewarding climb than box hill and they're close enough to combine in one ride with some great roads between them.

I expect box hill is more popular because it's closer to London and people can park at the top and do easy to follow traffic free loops around it. It also has a cafe.

[croftsj]

Add White Combe Hill to that as well, descend Leith Hill north toward Shere then ride up Combe Lane, nice climb.

[London424]

Here's a route that I rode a couple of months back...certainly got the legs burning a few times!

http://app.strava.com/activities/41089416

[TwistingMyMelon]

nice, cheers for the heads up

Box Hill is OK, its a bit overhyped and more of a cardio test rather than actual climbing ability.

It is a Mecca for cyclists though and there are lots of OK pubs in Dorking for after

[ChrisMCoupe]

Thanks for the tips, will try to venture a bit further west and get Staples/Coombe lane into my rides over the weekend.

[Steve vRS]

You're lucky to have a choice!

I live in NE Cheshire and the nearest hill to me is 16miles away; the Wizard at Alderley Edge. I've started riding there and then doing a rinse and repeat. might do it 3 times on Saturday in preparation for the PH Cycling weekend!

It's much better when I visit my parents in West Cumbria, there, you spend time looking for a flat bit!

Steve

[Rich_W]

Until quite recently I didn't know there was a road over the top of Leith Hill. Last time I rode up there was probably 19-20 years ago on my mtb. Loving the idea already

I'll tack it onto by usual out and back to Box Hill

[fandango_c]

Rich_W said:

Until quite recently I didn't know there was a road over the top of Leith Hill. Last time I rode up there was probably 19-20 years ago on my mtb. Loving the idea already

I'll tack it onto by usual out and back to Box Hill

There isn't a road over the top of Leith Hill, I think he has been on the road to the south of it from his strava link.
I don't think a road bike would be a good idea for the top of Leith Hill, but a mtb is great fun :-)

[mudshark]

I live around there and always do a hilly loop when riding on my own; the hardest climb in the area is Barhatch Lane towards Cranleigh - was on the ToB last year.

[Rich_W]

fandango_c said:

There isn't a road over the top of Leith Hill, I think he has been on the road to the south of it from his strava link.
I don't think a road bike would be a good idea for the top of Leith Hill, but a mtb is great fun :-)

Been a while so does this road lead up and over the majority of it?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Leith+Hill&hl=...

Abinger Road?

[Furry Exocet]

Did the hills last week as part of the Surrey cyclone sportive
http://app.strava.com/activities/49890519

They really were a killer, bit too much traffic on one of them, can't remember which one, but everyone got bottle necked with bikes going up and cars coming down (single track almost)

[ChrisMCoupe]

After taking some of your suggestions on board I went for Coombe Lane this weekend with a few other hills including Crocknorth and Box Hill. Coombe Lane has a bit of a sting in it's tail

http://app.strava.com/activities/51139707

Perfect weather and great days riding. Plenty of group rides out and I think there must have been a sportive too but not sure which one.

[Gargamel]

You lot need to get out to Black Down, or Gibbets hill for some variation... Box Hill to Black down and back would make a nice 50 - 60 miler.

[Kermit power]

Could everyone please note that whilst there might be some decent roads on Leith Hill and its neighbours Holmbury and Pitch hills, there is no mountain biking worthy of the name anywhere on any of them. Absolutely none at all. Far better to go to Swinley Forest or somewhere!

[joema]

Kermit power said:

Could everyone please note that whilst there might be some decent roads on Leith Hill and its neighbours Holmbury and Pitch hills, there is no mountain biking worthy of the name anywhere on any of them. Absolutely none at all. Far better to go to Swinley Forest or somewhere!

I see...!

[Daveyraveygravey]

Gargamel said:

You lot need to get out to Black Down, or Gibbets hill for some variation... Box Hill to Black down and back would make a nice 50 - 60 miler.

I've a route planned involving Leith Hill, Black Down, Bar Hatch Lane and The Mount in Guildford, about 85 miles. Should be good training for the RideLondon100. And if I find that too short, maybe Cob Lane over towards Haywards Heath...

[Jayfish]

The appeal of Box is the constant gradient, like a (really really) D'Huez. Not many English hills offer a constant gradient that allow you to find and grind your 100% effort without redzoning.

[Mr Gear]

Whitedown is just an unbelievable pain in the legs, right next to Box Hill. I did this a couple of weeks ago and Box Hill immediately afterwards felt easy!

You can see Whitedown on this route:

London424 said:

http://app.strava.com/activities/41089416