The Spring Onion was billed as the second sportive in the Surrey Double Header by organisers 5034 events, the Compact 50 being held on the day before. Both events were, predictably, sold out and well attended.
The re-arranged HQ saw Cobham as the start this year rather than the traditional Oxshott starting point. There the differences to previous years' events ended, as the Onion offered a great scenic route, hills that brought tears to your eyes and the now traditional Spring Onion downpour.
The route was signed by arrows sprayed on the ground - this was not to everyone's taste, but I personally do not mind this approach. I did miss two turnings, but this did not impact on my enjoyment of the sportive or the day.
Generally sportives around Surrey and the North Downs can feel a little samey where organisers feel compelled to include well known ascents up Leith Hill, Whitedown Lane and Box Hill. The Spring Onion managed to avoid the mainstream Surrey offerings and still cram in over 1200 metres of elevation in a 60 mile route. The climbing started reasonably quickly with an ascent out of Cobham and up into Effingham. A risky and scary descent down Whitedown was followed by a leafy climb out of the picturesque chocolate box village of Abinger. I resisted the call of a very enticing cake shop, the owner of which was having his children's schooling fees being topped up by the swarming hordes of beefy mountain bikers eager to refuel.
The climb of the day was the Combe Lane climb. This hill is often overlooked by mainstream sportive organisers (including the Tour of Britain) who favour Barhatch Lane's 20% gradient - personally I think they are both extremely tough.
At 50 miles and on a fast ascent back to Cobham the heavens opened. Riders who have participated in previous years' Spring Onions will know, love and expect such weather conditions. As the rain turned to sleet I was grateful that I was close enough to the finish line not to be too hampered.
As I approached the village hall and the welcoming end-of-ride tea and cake I was surprised to see that the ride HQ was sharing the facility with a children's party. The sight of young boys dressed up as Spider-Man and various other superheroes being dropped off by their mums provided an amusing juxtaposition to the Rapha-clad riders eagerly sprinting for the line in an attempt to squeeze a few more seconds out of their times.
Despite twice going slightly off track, I managed a reasonable time of 3 hours 54 minutes in what was eventually 65 miles of this enjoyable early season fixture in the sportive diary.
All photographs courtesy Jon Bromley: www.jonbromleyphotography.co.uk
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