Day out to Box Hill 1st July 2012
(the story begins !!)
Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs in Surrey. The hill takes its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The western part of the hill is owned and managed by the National Trust, whilst the village of Box Hill lies on higher ground to the east.
Box Hill lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and forms part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. The north- and south-facing slopes support an area of chalk down land, noted for its orchids and other rare plant species.
The "Zig Zag Road" is the most direct route to the National Trust visitors' centre from the Mole Gap for both cars and bicycles. The exact age of the Zig Zag Road is uncertain, but it first appears on the Ordnance Survey map of 1869, and has been popular with cyclists since the 1880s.
The road is a steady climb of 120 meters (390 ft) over 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi) and, although on a much smaller scale, has been likened to the Alpe d'Huez in the French Alps. Box Hill will feature prominently on the route of the 2012 Summer Olympics cycling road race events: the men will climb the Zig Zag Road nine times and the women twice.
The Plan for the Day
The route there and back to this iconic hill sits just under 100k (approx 60miles). It is as flat as i can possibly make it although in total there are 4 x cat 5 and 1 x cat 4 (box hill) to go over. (steepness of hills go from 5 to HC ,therefore 4 is steeper than 5,)
If you have ridden to Whitstable then this is doable if you did L2P, what the hell are you worrying about !!!!
This is an iconic climb which will feature in the London 2012 Olympics so to have the opportunity to say you have gone up this baby, well not much more i can say really.
This day is open to all abilities as an idea for those that may find the distance a little tougher the suggestion of taking the car to the base of Box Hill, doing the climb, having lunch and driving back- well how easy and fresh your legs will be....
We will leave at 9am from the Park arriving at Box Hill approx 11:30ish. The climb then forms round 4 KOM after which we will have lunch at the cafe at the top and then return home. Therefore expect to be back in Eltham at approx 4.00 dependant on mechanicals/additional stops if required.
This is new roads travelled so can as many people as possible upload the route so we don’t lose anyone and we can therefore work as a team to arrive safe and sound...
Route will be on the calendar shortly..... It would be great to get a good turnout, after all lunch together would be a great club event, oh and club kit please – this is a cracking photo opportunity !!
MG
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