Surrey route advice please

John Blake said:

I am looking for a commuting route from Sutton to Redhill. My priorities are speed, easiness,
and safety.

I had my first attempt yesterday and it was just over 10 miles in 70 minutes on mainly
unclassified roads through Banstead, Chipstead and Upper Gatton Park.

What I am looking for is a route to take less than an hour (its only 10miles!) and avoiding steep
climbs and heavy traffic. I know there will have to be a climb, but where are the gaps?

Any suggestions?

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try someone from a local cycle club. Do a search for Redill CC or Clarencourt CC, someones email
address will be on the web, email your question to them, I can't think off the top of my head what
route would not include steep hills. then again, depends what you mean by steep,

davep

John Blake said:

I am looking for a commuting route from Sutton to Redhill. My priorities are speed, easiness,
and safety.

I had my first attempt yesterday and it was just over 10 miles in 70 minutes on mainly unclassified
roads through Banstead, Chipstead and Upper Gatton Park.

What I am looking for is a route to take less than an hour (its only 10miles!) and avoiding steep
climbs and heavy traffic. I know there will have to be a climb, but where are the gaps?

as you say, it is hilly (for some values of hilly). I'd say the least hilly is via the A217, but
that has quite a lot of traffic, so that's out.

Try Carshalton beeches, Woodmansterne (B278), Chipstead, then south past Noke Farm, [censored]'s Farm
Shop. At Gatton Bottom either left under the M23 to the A23 through Merstham or right then left up
Rocky Lane past Gatton Park School and down onto the A23 again.

Personally I'd do the A217.

Tim In space no one can eat ice cream

In message id <[email hidden]> on Sun, 13 Jul 2003 22:42:04 +0100, Tim
Hall wrote in uk.rec.cycling :

Quoted message said:

as you say, it is hilly (for some values of hilly).

I tried a couple of routes this week and found different sizes of hill!

Quoted message said:

I'd say the least hilly is via the A217, but that has quite a lot of traffic, so that's out.

Not necessarily out. I did try that a couple of times each way. Traffic was heavy both ways both
times of day. Sutton to the junction with the M25 is about 8 miles, mostly uphill but a gentle
climb. There were a few dips along the way to provide some relief. As long as the traffic moved
freely enough I could take advantage of the downhill bits and take a rest. At the top of Reigate
Hill it was clear one morning so gravity did its bit and I flew down it easy enough. Going the other
way, Reigate Hill was too much and I had to walk the last 100 yards or so to the top. From there
back to Sutton is virtually all downhill making up for the exertion on the climb.

Quoted message said:

Try Carshalton beeches, Woodmansterne (B278), Chipstead, then south past Noke Farm, [censored]'s Farm
Shop. At Gatton Bottom either left under the M23 to the A23 through Merstham or right then left up
Rocky Lane past Gatton Park School and down onto the A23 again.

I kind of went with this one and found it easier. To Wallington, then to the A237 to hook up with
the A23 and straight down from there. Easier hills, similar distance (about .5mile longer) and
similar time.

Quoted message said:

Personally I'd do the A217.

Thanks for the pointer. I've clocked up plenty of mileage this week and already am feeling the
benefit. There is now some slack in the waist band. If I keep up this level of effort, I will waste
away by Christmas! Well at least shed a stone anyway.

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