Vandeven + Get A Grip = Results.

Chip, Schwinn (very much in the gutter) and Clif Bar.


As the end drew near, it was obvious who was the strongest.


Pressure, Pressure, Pressure!


Eric policing the front.


"One down and many more to come!", Steven

From my perspective:

Chip, Eric, and myself headed up to Whitnall Park on Saturday (April 28) to do our first USCF crit of the season. We were all excited to represent Get A Grip on a tough but fun racecourse. Once we arrived, registered, and surveyed the course, it was official; we knew it was to be a sweet day of racing! As we prepared ourselves for the day's intense efforts, I kept saying one thing over and over again, "patience". This was my key word for the day. Eric, (“we raced with precision and guts, it was very fun”) vowed to be aggressive early so I could follow my plan and wait until later in the race.

Well, just after the start it seemed like things were going according to our plan. Eric quickly went to the front, followed the first attack, and found himself in a break w/ about ten riders. The Schwinn team looked to be the aggressors of the day getting things started early. Chip and myself hovered about 5 to 10 back in the peleton as the field stretched out single file for about 2 to 3 laps, until everyone came back together.

Almost instantly the Schwinn guys launched another rider, and soon after another bridged up with Luke of XXX on his wheel. Eric pulled up next to me and suggested that I go up to work with the Schwinn guys. I quickly yelled "patience" in response. Moments later a Baraboo shark rider attacked and I was quickly on his wheel, not sure if this was to be a bridging attempt or a chase. Turns out we bridged with Chip and an unattached behind me. Once I realized we had a group of 7 with 2 Schwinn and 2 Get A Grip, I decided the time for patience had come and gone, a whole 10 minutes into the race.

I quickly jumped on the front and did a long hard pull, and then looked back to see our gap had doubled in length. The only bummer was we were no longer 7; Chip and one of the Schwinn guys had disappeared. Oh well, I started barking for us to form a pace line. It took a few minutes, but once we were organized I started to feel we had a chance. The rest of the race we had a gap of 15 to 35 seconds. Every time we felt threatened, we all worked harder and managed to increase our gap. Soon we started to realize Baraboo was skipping his pulls so myself, and I think Schwinn, started yelling at him, forcing him to help out.

I worked super hard until I was certain we would stay away. This didn't happen until about 4 to go. At this point, I started resting, skipping a few turns and only pulling w/ about 1/2 the intensity as earlier. With one to go, Luke attacked at the start finish, but I was quickly on his wheel. We had a small gap and I thought about going solo, but being uncertain about the other's strength, I decided to wait. Going up hill for the last time, it turned into a cat and mouse chase with me on the front, not what I wanted. I started the whole swerve and crawl action, but no one was coming around. At this point, I decided it was time, and attacked over the hill into the wind. I guess I caught them looking at each other or just plain hurting, when I went it didn't feel like anyone even tried to go with and I instantly had a 20-30 meter gap. I hammered down to the uphill finish, sprinted to make certain, and looked back to see everyone about 40-50 meters back. I was then able to enjoy the victory and roll across the line with arms in the air. Yahoo!!!

PS - I chose the title that I did, not to be cocky, but because my "little" brother Jim had good results this weekend as well. He participated in a Missouri stage race, placing 3rd in the uphill time trial (20% grade), and 2nd in the 2nd crit (losing the sprint by half a bike to someone upgrading to cat2 this week). He wound up 3rd in the overall. Way to go Jim!!

Go Team Get A Grip!!!!!

Steven Vandeven (The Flying Vandevens!)