Cheam Breeze to Box Hill

A ride up the iconic zig zag road of Box Hill made famous by the Olympic road cycle races in July 2012. The hill gets its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The roads were resurfaced for the races and are remarkably smooth for a rural route. Although challenging, the climb is relatively gentle with an average gradient of 5% over 2.5 km and is manageable by most riders. At the top you will be rewarded by breath-taking views across the North Downs and Surrey Plains. Covid-19 Guidance: Please do not attend the if you or someone in your household has symptoms of Covid-19 or you have been asked to self-isolate. The ride will be limited to one ride leader and five participants and you should be prepared to respect current social distancing rules. As places are limited at this time, please cancel your ride if you find that you are unable to attend so that it becomes available to other riders.

Where possible we will use quieter roads (so that we can chat) and there will also be opportunities to build confidence on busier roads and junctions.

Our café stop will be the National Trust Café at the top of Box Hill. There is the option to sit inside or outside depending on the weather. We can also stop at the viewing point to take photos.

You will need to bring your own equipment including a pump, inner tube, tyre levers, a small lock, money for the coffee stop, water, and snacks. You may also wish to bring a face mask and alcohol hand gel. Make sure that your bike is in good working order and that the tyres are pumped up. As this is a hilly ride it is advisable to avoid bringing heavy bags or panniers. Now that the weather is cooling down, consider wearing warm base layers, wind/waterproof layers and long fingered gloves.

We never leave anyone behind; everyone will tackle hills at their own pace and we will regroup at the top. As always, the plan is to enjoy the challenge as a group and have cake along the way.