Despite the hideous weather forecast, most of the 24 VCGH riders who signed up to do 5034 Events' Spring Onion Sportive were present and accounted for at the Oxshott Club start line at 08:15 on Sunday 17th March. Heavy rain kicked in at about 09:00 and didn't stop for the rest of the day, mixing with cold temperatures and strong gusty winds to create quite gruelling conditions. Most of the team set off together and then splintered into small groups and individuals to complete the course. There were a few mechanicals on top of the inevitable punctures: Peter Davies had to withdraw early with a seized cassette, and Elliot Brown had to ring a mate for a pickup at Albury when his spoke broke. More problems arose when another event crossing paths with the Onion around Dunsfold/Hascombe - without clear explanation - caused a few riders to go astray.