How to get wristband to watch test race from Box Hill

[Dombo]

Yes i got two. Just learned we cannot even ride to the event, even though they appear to have cycle parking for 1200 bikes according to the map i was sent. So it's drag round on the train (no bikes on trains to Dorking that day either):

Dear Mr Dombo,
Thank you for your enquiry.

Congratulations on obtaining wristbands for the Box Hill section of this Sundays Surrey Cycle Classic road race, unfortunately spectators can cycle to any part of the race route that is open to traffic but cannot cycle on the course during road closures at any time. Given likely crowd numbers along certain areas of the route, the use of a bicycle may be impractical and should be considered carefully. Restrictions will be in place around the managed spectator areas.

Our advice is to travel by public transport as additional trains will be running to ensure spectators can arrive on time for the race to begin.


Thank you once more for your enquiry, if you need more assistance please feel free to contact the team.
Surrey 2012 Team¦ Surrey County Council¦ Penrhyn Road¦ Kingston upon Thames¦ KT1 2DN¦ www.gosurrey.info¦ olympic.cycling@surreycc.gov.uk¦

Surrey - Host County - Be part of it

i have emailed back to clarify and will let you know when i find out.

[John G]

[quote="Dombo"]Yes i got two. Just learned we cannot even ride to the event, even though they appear to have cycle parking for 1200 bikes according to the map i was sent. So it's drag round on the train (no bikes on trains to Dorking that day either):

Dear Mr Dombo,
Thank you for your enquiry.

Congratulations on obtaining wristbands for the Box Hill section of this Sundays Surrey Cycle Classic road race, unfortunately spectators can cycle to any part of the race route that is open to traffic but cannot cycle on the course during road closures at any time. Given likely crowd numbers along certain areas of the route, the use of a bicycle may be impractical and should be considered carefully. Restrictions will be in place around the managed spectator areas.

Our advice is to travel by public transport as additional trains will be running to ensure spectators can arrive on time for the race to begin.


Thank you once more for your enquiry, if you need more assistance please feel free to contact the team.
Surrey 2012 Team¦ Surrey County Council¦ Penrhyn Road¦ Kingston upon Thames¦ KT1 2DN¦ http://www.gosurrey.info¦ olympic.cycling@surreycc.gov.uk¦

Surrey - Host County - Be part of it

i have emailed back to clarify and will let you know when i find out.

[Bridget]

I've got two wristbands for Box Hill and was planning to cycle up there with a friend in the morning and park the bikes at the bottom and walk up. I understood that there was bike parking at the bottom of the hill - from the map as you say.

Please let me know if you get any more information. Is the problem that the route out to Box Hill will be in the road closures?

I also have two wristbands for the Mall and, since I can't be in two places at once and would rather be at Box Hill, anyone who wants them can have them. I'll bring on club run tomorrow. On the other hand, if it proves too difficult to get to Box Hill I might change my mind and go to the Mall!

Does anyone know the significance of the green vs white wrist bands for Box Hill?? I have white ones.

Thanks,
Bridget

[Bridget]

The London prepares website says this about bike parking:

Box Hill: race passes through at approximately 10.40-11.20am. The road at Box Hill will be closed from 6.30am on the day of the event, the race will enter the area at 10.35am and the road will reopen at 2pm. Spectators will be able to walk to a viewing area, but not cycle, until 9.30am from any access road and there is special provision for wristband holders.

Although the road will remain closed, marshals will be facilitating people walking, but not cycling, on the route as soon as the race has passed through.

The Olympic Delivery Authority will be providing a secure cycle park at Box Hill, available from 8am on race day. When parking your bike, you will be provided with two tags -one for your cycle and one to carry with you – to enable you to be matched to your cycle when you return. Bikes are left in the cycle park at the owner’s risk, please remember to bring a secure lock to fix your cycle to the barriers inside the park. The cycle parks are located on Donkey Green at the top of Box Hill, near to the viewing area for the race. The park is identified with a tall flag displaying the letter ‘P’. All cycles must be removed at least two hours after the race has passed. Please note that the Box Hill area is capacity controlled. When this area is full, access will only be permitted to wristband holders. Cyclists will only have access in this area on the road. Access to Donkey Green is only from the east through Box Hill village. Cyclists may be required to dismount and walk.

Wristband holders (green and white wristbands): gates to the spectator viewing areas for wristband holders will open at 9am, with restricted movement from 9.40am. Dedicated cycle parking will be available at Box Hill for wristband holders. For more information please see the printable information sheet for wristband holders (pdf 0.63MB).

I pressume that means you can cycle there, and will have to ride up on the other side of the hill (not the hairpin). I don't know what it means that the road at Box Hill will be closed from 6.30am - which part of the road?

[Dombo]

Looking at the map Box Hill Road seems to be closed all the way to Headley Common Road which is approx 2 miles. That's a bloody long way to walk in cleats. I am taking the station bike, park up somewhere South and East of Dorking and ride up to the footpath just past Rykas then lock it to a tree.
I may do a recce tomorrow and see what's what.

[nick de meyer]

I'm watching from headley cricket club which will be much easier access.planning on getting there for 830am, and may mountain bike over towards the smith and western pub, looks like boxhill will be completely locked down on sunday, all bridleways and footpaths closed, there's barriers being put up all over the place, i think personally they need to look at a different route for 2012 this one is so not spectator / cyclist friendly,going up newlands corner would be better...going for a 2 hour mtb ride afterwards if anyone wants to join me?

[Marcus]

They were handing out wrist bands on the Mall this morning:-(

[Bridget]

Oh no! Sorry

[Dombo]

Great day. Took station bike and parked up in Brockham around 0800. Nipped along A25 then Pixham Lane and usual route up past Rykas to join queue waiting to ascend footpath to viewing area. Saw Alan and a few other Agreeables at the bottom of Zig Zag. After a nice climb through the woods (must check if this is a footpath or bridleway as it looks like an excellent downhill) wheeling the bike we eventually got to the bike parking area. Space for 1200 bikes and only about 200 max were using it. Then an hour or so wait for the peloton with possibly the loudest and most inane commentary blaring out from just behind us. Defo not Sherwen/Liggett quality! Great atmosphere and good to see how fast pros can ascend Box. Plus with a 20 minute circuit we now have something to measure ourselves against. Race over we collected the bikes and descended Zig Zag, saw PVT by the Burford Lodge, and then a leisurely ride down a closed A24 back to the car and Reigate for a well-deserved capoosh and chockly brownie.
all told, a great day out but if planning to watch the 9-lap Olympic race, I'd take a book.

[Sylv]

So here we are, the moment we've all been waiting for ... what time did they do up Mount Box Hill ?

Courtesy of Felix English (team Ireland) - baring GPS anomalies and own calculation errors .. looks like for the 2.5km +/- 6.36 first time, and 7.40 second time (that one can't be right, seeing as the bunch was closing the gap on the break at the time) *.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/106510363

* edit - sounds like he got tired on 2nd climb

[nick de meyer]

that 2nd loop doesn't sound right, although there was an irish guy way off the pack by the time he got to headley, lead group for the boxhill loop was 24 mins, peleton 2nd loop 22:30

[Phil H]

[quote="Sylv"]So here we are, the moment we've all been waiting for ... what time did they do up Mount Box Hill ?

Courtesy of Felix English (team Ireland) - baring GPS anomalies and own calculation errors .. looks like for the 2.5km +/- 6.36 first time, and 7.40 second time (that one can't be right, seeing as the bunch was closing the gap on the break at the time) *.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/106510363

* edit - sounds like he got tired on 2nd climb

[Ian A4size]

Joanna and I went along and watched from the bottom of the zig zag- so we would get to see the race pass through twice.

No problems at all regarding crowds- not really that many people- just chaos as it seemed nobody was really in charge when the barriers had to be changed due to the race coming back round in the other direction.

We spoke to a lady in the crowd who proudly displayed a couple of wristbands for viewing up on the hill- but she had a bad back and couldn't make it up the hill so never used them WTF!

On the BBC site there is a very sad picture of the peleton going up the zig zags- there is no-one there at all-empty , this circuit has the potential to be one of the best parts of the race..... that no one will see, not good planning IMHO.

Saw plenty of ACCers ex and present and had a generally good time.

Rykas were charging to use the loo!

[quote="Sylv"]So here we are, the moment we've all been waiting for ... what time did they do up Mount Box Hill ?

Courtesy of Felix English (team Ireland) - baring GPS anomalies and own calculation errors .. looks like for the 2.5km +/- 6.36 first time, and 7.40 second time

[Marcus]

[quote="Bridget"]Oh no! Sorry