Oberon Wins! Oberon Wins! Oberon Wins!

Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.
June 7, 2008

Galesburg, Mi.- As the sun peaked over the horizon at the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, Sharkman watched Nikeboy’s garage door slowly opening. It was the first truly warm day of the season as Nikeboy snapped into the pedals to join Sharkman for the ride to Galesburg.

A season record sixteen riders showed up for the start of this week’s edition of the KK-TdG. It was Beer Jersey Day and the hands down winner of the day was Bell’s Brewery Oberon jersey. No less than 5 riders showed up in stunning Oberon Jersey’s. O.E., Sharkman and Bullet Bob were sporting the 2007 Jersey while Falcon and the Unknown Rider appeared in the 2008 edition of the jersey. Interestingly, Brewman, who has the largest collection of Beer Jersey’s in peleton history was absent for the day’s festivities. Rumor had it he could not decide which jersey to wear and went back to bed!

O.E., Sharkman and Bullet Bob displaying their Oberon Jersey’s at the start, living the Shark Minion Credo, “if you can’t be good, look good!”


Cloud Girl had returned for her fourth consecutive start, breaking the Minion record for a returning female rider. Actually, one week was the old record, so she has actually shattered the previous record. What a trooper!

Wolf King was in attendance after being released from the Betty Ford Weight loss and Psychiatric Clinic, riding his Felt! The rumors of his Felts demise in a recent garage crash were apparently premature and the bike and rider are now doing fine.

We also welcomed a new rider, who until further notice will be known as Raider Rick, due to his Oakland Raider Jersey colors.

The start of the ride was extremely social with a lot of chatter. Sharkman took his usual complementary sprint in the run up to G Ave. which was immediately followed by Falcon being sidelined with a flat tire, the third flat in as many weeks. Since flat tires come in threes, it is hoped that this is the last flat tire of the season!

O.E. was feeling frisky and surprised Falcon, who was at the head of the Peleton, by taking the sprint just before the Cul de Twin Lakes. The Minions stayed together for the climb and there was only a slight pause as the peleton moved on to the Rt. 89 crossing.

The group stayed together through the Yorkville Church and Country Club portion of the ride, with Falcon contesting and picking off the Rt. 43 sprint.


In what seems to be turning into a pleasant routine, the peleton formed up a pace line after the cul de Norte on the east side of the lake and the pace picked up considerably through the Bible Conference Hills and through Inlet. This was particularly interesting in light of the previous evening’s storms which had littered the road with tree branches and assorted debris. At times is seemed more like mountain biking as riders bunny hopped over branches and twisted through the debris.

After the G Ave. crossing, the pace slowed for only a short time before riders began to position themselves for a push to the finish. The pace line stayed somewhat close, with Cloud Girl actually going to the front for a while. Her attack was valiant but short lived as a wave of Oberon Jersey’s moved into position. With Oberon Jersey’s nearly everywhere, the speed picked up as the wave of Bell’s Brewery’s finest crested the final hill in the descent to the finish. In a flash, an Oberon Jersey went to the front and made quick work of a very close field of, you guessed it, OBERON Jersey’s! It was a victory for Oberon! I guess you should have been there to witness the phenomenal finish!

It was a festive group that rode up to the Koffee Klutch. Town people and press gathered around to get a glimpse of the peleton hero’s.

Cloud Girl enjoys a post ride smoothie!

The Koffee Klutch was a little over run with riders and fans, as the Minions regaled the crowd with their post race bravado and signed autographs.

So………., you won’t want to miss next weeks ride!

Saturday, 8:00 A.M. Launch Time – SHARP!

Be there!

THE SHARKMAN ADVISOR


Dear Sharkman!

What gives with all the Cloud Girl publicity?? Airman takes 4 sprints and gets no mention. Sooner and Stingray re-enact a scene from Ben Hur and get a mere blip in the Update. Cloud Girl misses a right turn and gets an entire paragraph?!?!?!?!? What's next......"Cloud Girl develops a nasty hangnail, Minion Ride cancelled"?????

Cloud Girl is getting a big head over here at Porter Street---she's starting to think she's a big deal!! Who’s doing her publicity? Do I have to buy you Koffee to get a mention?

Come on, what gives?

Signed,

Disgruntled Minion!

Dear Disgruntled,

One of the schmooze factor's with Cloud Girl is she is the first female rider to actually come back after riding with us! That has never happened, ever! We keep scaring them off! You might not remember what has become known as the Dirtman Short’s Incident (see next letter to Sharkman). I rest my case…..

Got to give her press time so she'll continue to be our token female rider.

But I think there is more to your complaint. Hey, are you concerned about getting beat by a girl? Tough it up Minion!

Sharkman

Dear Sharkman,

Love the editorial at the end of the last Update. Great use of the pictures! Boffo & I had a great time that weekend. Did he tell you that I almost won the mini-car race? Unfortunately my shorts ripped (in the crack again of course) and then got caught in the tires. I spun out in the final sprint -- they have final sprints in mini-car racing too.



How are things with you? I hear you are about to become a grandfather. Congrats!! I'm about to become a father - my wife is due the first week of August. It's a bit surreal. I miss riding with the group. I've been riding... but not as much as I did in MI. I need to do a better job finding the time. Tell the minions I said hi and keep the updates coming!

Cheers,
Dirtman

Dear Dirtman,

Great to hear from you and congratulations on the new little Dirtboy or Dirtgirl!

When you get tired of Midget Car Racing with Boffo, come on back to ride with the Minions. You’re always welcome! Oh, and say hello to Boffo!

Sharkman