Gripped by Olympic fever and a new found love for dusty trails, I am trying to get the best of bother worlds. I have casually suggested to the other half that we go for a ride around the Surrey Hills tomorrow am, (parking at Peaslake) and then at the appropriate time head up to Gomshall to watch the road race go past.
Does anyone have a good inkling of what time the peleton will head past Gomshall on the A25? I think they are heading out anti-clockwise round the circuit, but to be honest I can’t easily estimate what time they are getting to Gomshall on the A25 – it looks like it is over 50 miles to there from The Mall, so I am guessing at least 2 hours plus from the start (which I understand is 10am). Any help would be much appreciated - I am trying to arrange to meet up with mates so any timings would be great. I think I should be ok to clear the road closures (coming from Haslemere, cross country via Cranleigh and Dunsfold).
First Box Hill climb 1130.
Dorking 1125.
So Gomshall 1110?
below is courtesy of [url= http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534049/olympic-road-race-route-download-detailed-map.html ]Cycling Weekly[/url]
[b]London 2012: Men's cycling road race schedule
[/b]
Times may be subject to change
10am - Start: The Mall
10.35am - Hampton Court Palace
10.45am - Walton-on-Thames
11.05am - Ripley Village
11.25am - Gomshall
11.30am - Westcott
11.35am - Dorking
11.40am - Box Hill: start of first lap
2.50pm - Box Hill: finish of last lap
3.05pm - Esher
3.10pm - Hampton Court Palace
3.15pm - Kingston Upon Thames
3.20pm - Richmond Park
3.30pm - Putney Bridge
3.35pm - Fulham
3.40pm - Finish: The Mall
[b]London 2012: Women's cycling road race schedule
[/b]
Times may be subject to change
12noon - Start: The Mall
12.40pm - Hampton Court Palace
12.50pm - Walton-on-Thames
1.15pm - Ripley Village
1.40pm - Gomshall
1.50pm - Westcott
1.55pm - Dorking
2.00pm - Box Hill: start of first lap
2.50pm - Box Hill: finish of last lap
3.00pm - Esher
3.10pm - Hampton Court Palace
3.15pm - Kingston Upon Thames
3.20pm - Richmond Park
3.35pm - Putney Bridge
3.40pm - Fulham
3.45pm - Finish: The Mall
Thanks both, very helpful. I was way out, they must haul ass. I take it they have their wheatabix of a morning?
@gribble, you might need to plan your route into Peaslake carefully. A25 will be closed so normal route in from the North is out. You might like to try looping in via Guildford/Shalford and back lanes. I imagine trying to approach via Dorking will be a nightmare.
There is a big bend and large grassy area on the A25 at Shere. Rute comes down Coombe lane and onto A25 just prior. That is our backup plan if we can not make it to Box Hill. There is quite a big car park at Shere sports ground so I expect it will be busy there.
Diversion route due A25 closure will be Albury-Chilworth-Shalford-Guildford so expect that route to be busy too. Shere will probably be carnage in the carpark at the sports ground.
They haul ass.
I wouldn't even drive into the tiny lanes and choke points of the hills from south. One little obstruction and the whole area will be gridlock. Maybe park at Cranleigh/Ewhurst/Ockleigh and ride in.