Where is Box Hill?
Box Hill is positioned simply outdoor Dorking, in Surrey. Its close proximity to London makes it a famous journey vacation spot for town dwellers (see a extremely good 85 mile path from London to Box Hill and returned right here) and it shot to repute whilst it featured within the Olympic street race of 2012 – with the guys’ peloton cresting the hill nine instances, and the ladies’s two times.
Each year the road forms a part of the RideLondon sportive, it’s commonly the closing climb earlier than a reasonably flat run back into London and functions around 70 miles into the century experience. Contrary to popular notion is not the hardest climb at the route. Paced well it may be overcome in an inexpensive time and go away masses of power for the short very last a part of the route.
Several other sportives additionally use the climb, consisting of the Box Hill Original Sportive, run by means of our sister enterprise UK Cycling Events on Saturday, October 5.
Routes range from 33 to ninety-nine miles, and riders will enjoy waymarking, feed stations, mechanical help, chip timing and a free replica of Cycling Weekly.
Box hill vital records
The climb itself is one in all few to feature continental fashion hairpins, and it additionally boasts beautiful views from either aspect – gaining it a National Trust reputation.
The climb itself is far from the toughest in the Surrey Hills – with Leith Hill and others close by offering an extra extreme incline. However, it still represents a sizable venture – making it a workable however still checking out target for most riders.
Length: 2.Five km
The average gradient of five%
Maximum gradient: 8%
Height benefit: 129 m
The Strava leaderboard for Box Hill’s authentic climb carries over seventy-three,000 tries. The top guys’ time – at time of writing – changed into Ian Bibby’s 4minutes 46 seconds, and the top ladies’ time was 5minutes forty eight seconds with the aid of ‘Sophie P’.
How to trip Box Hill
In the video above we rode up and down Zig Zag Road to check out this well-known climb so we could deliver you the low down on how quality to tackle it.
Psychologically, we suppose the hardest component comes on the primary immediately – the first segment earlier than the road bends to the right is reasonably steep, and after that, you’re confronted with a protracted stretch.
However, the hairpin at zero.6km / 0.4miles offers respite – and it doesn’t get plenty tougher after that. After this point, you ought to goal to hold momentum – there’s no reason to backpedal to save power right here except you’re genuinely suffering. You can maintain a steady cadence pretty effortlessly right here and push over the incline.
The road does kick up as you disappear beneath the tree cover at the pinnacle, and there’s one final bend which you can use to dash out of if you’re feeling clean. This offers manner to a National Trust automobile park and cafe – so with respite close – it’s well worth giving it everything you’ve got here.
If you’re feeling especially bold and want to repeat the loop, as according to the Olympic street race, you could maintain along Box Hill Road, before turning left to continue alongside Headley Common Road, then left again to Leech Lane to live on the B2033. This street subsequently becomes Mill Way, then Reigate Road, which takes you to a roundabout where you be part of the A24, left once more the following roundabout to sign up for Dorking street then a very last left to Old London Road which will take you, thru Mickleham, to the foot of the Zig Zag all over again.
