Box Hill Obsession

[Smurfy]

Why so many cycling events? Surely there must be other interesting/challenging hills available?

http://road.cc/content/news/146605-...essive-cycling-events-surreys-iconic-box-hill

 

[DaveReading]

Yes, but few others immortalised in song.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yw2yKNLEPc

 

[Arrowfoot]

I heard that Uxbridge is going to be the new Box Hill. I am not at liberty to disclose the facts as it would be a hammer blow to a certain Party. The only other thing that I can reveal is that it has to do with migrants from the EU.

 

[jdtate101]

I can't understand it either. Box Hill is a pimple of a hill, not steep nor overly long. I can only imagine it's the fact it's got a "hairpin" that makes it attractive, all those southerners getting alpine fantasy's. Plenty more proper hills in the uk....especially up north where people are far more welcoming of cyclists.

 

[Cuchilo]

Probably because all though its not a hard hill to climb its just enough for people not used to cycling to do and others not to sprint up .

 

[MichaelO]

I live within 10 miles of Box Hill, so have been up it enough times. I don't get the whole fascination, but it's crazy packed on a summer's day with cyclists! The view from just past the cafe is fantastic - but I tend to take it in on an extended 30/35 mile commute into central London occasionally, when I have the whole place to myself as the sun rises. Idyllic then!!

But there are better hills within a stones throw of it.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

But there are better hills within a stones throw of it.

Keep them secret, now, lest the immigrants come along and mess everything up.

 

[Bollo]

I did Box Hill for the first time last week or so ago on rb58's Winchester-Croydon forum ride. I was underwhelmed, especially after the meaty goodness of White Down. Views were nice, but I can live without the Surrey drivers.

 

[Broadside]

but I can live without the Surrey drivers.

I couldn't agree with that more. The Surrey Hills are great on a very early morning ride but once the cars come out it turns in to a stressy nightmare!

 

[Pale Rider]

Do I understand correctly Box Hill is often littered with gel and energy bar wrappers?

Very poor show, if so.

 

[Cuchilo]

Do I understand correctly Box Hill is often littered with gel and energy bar wrappers?

Very poor show, if so.

Ive never seen them .

 

[Bollo]

Do I understand correctly Box Hill is often littered with gel and energy bar wrappers?

Very poor show, if so.

Looked pretty tidy when I went up as well.

 

[ianrauk]

Do I understand correctly Box Hill is often littered with gel and energy bar wrappers?

Very poor show, if so.

Nope

 

[Dogtrousers]

It has a really nice road surface and a café at the top. But apart from that ... meh,

The North Downs in Kent are not far away and has loads of better hills. I don't know the Surrey area too well, but White Down is better and really near.

 

[Bollo]

In raw brutality terms, the South East of England isn't going to have Nairo Quintana asking for his mum, so a lot of it will be about the 'character' of the hill. I liked White Down because it was properly steep for a bit and has a pill box. Local to me, Old Winchester Hill is a decent enough drag and has some stunning views at the top. Watership Down up the scarp side has two short 20%+ kicks that are buggers, even if you hum 'bright eyes' to ease the pain. I love them both. Box Hill felt like eating at McDonalds; it does a job but you can be sure everybody else has eaten there at some point.