Monday, December 13, 2010

SLIP SLIDING AWAY!

THRILLS AND SPILLS!

SEASON FINALE?

Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.
December 11, 2010

Galesburg, Mi. – If you checked the Belo News on Saturday morning, then you know the mighty Minion Nation hit the trails again this past Saturday! Though the weather was iffy, the riding wasn’t!

Yeti Boy, Iceman, Bissell Boy and our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, circled up at the Klutch before driving over to the Trail Head, as the roads were a bit icy in Galesburg. Luann was surprised to see everyone and thought there might be too much snow to ride. After enjoying the early morning Klutch ambiance, our hero's left for Ft. Custer.

Stingray was waiting at the Trail Head, unloading his trusty Felt 29er and ready to lead again.




Bissell Boy was sporting his new Niner and was ready to rock!

Stingray, once again, led our Minion Train out on to the Red Trail. The snow was not deep, but was well frozen, causing our riders to slip and slide their way through the early trenches and the rock garden. Somewhere before Cardiac Hill, Yeti Boy took a fall at speed and crunched his thigh and it took some time before everyone started to feel comfortable on the trails. The crash left a bruise the size of Texas on the Minions thigh!








Even Team Bissell was in attendance! Well sort of........













It was a great finale to the season, as the storm that hit over the weekend will probably put an end to the formal Minion cycling season.





We hope to put out a final edition before the end of the year with a recap on a fantastic season!





We will also put out any announcement on winter rides, either on the road or trails, as well as possible Cross Country skiing opportunities.




Have a Merry Christmas and a mile filled New Year!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

GAME ON!

THE MIGHT MINION NATION RIDES!

Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.
December 11, 2010

Galesburg, Mi. – Game on! We ride today! See you all at the Klutch!

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Koffee Time – 8:30 A.M.
Launch Time – 9:00 A.M. or there abouts….
Trail Head – 9:30 A.M.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

STRINGRAY LEADS THE WAY!

SHARKMAN WINS STYLE POINTS!

MOON BOOTS?

Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.
December 4, 2010

Galesburg, Mi. – As a frigid dawn broke over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, felt like staying right in his warm Shark bed. After all, it had been a tough week, it was dark and cold outside and more importantly, it was warm in the cozy confines of the Cove.

As our hero threw back the Shark bedspread and slipped on his shark slippers and robe, visions of icy single track danced in his head. The Shark thermometer was registering a very cool 23 degrees, but after a taste of koffee from his Shark Sippy Kup, it was game on!

As Sharkman drove over to Galesburg, he wondered if anyone else would show up on this frosty morning. Several Minions had emailed saying that it was too cold and snowy to ride.

When our hero pulled into the parking lot, for the first time ever, he found it completely empty. He thought to himself that certainly someone would show as he pulled his trusty GT off the rack on the car. But alas, no one was arriving on the scene.

As the old Shark saddled up and rode to the Klutch, he began to wonder, “will this be the first time no one showed up for a Shark Minion Ride except the Sharkman himself?”

As he rode up to the front of the Klutch and rested his steed against the window, he looked in to see the back of Hoosier Boys head, hands wrapped around a nice hot kup of Klutch koffee! Yes, at least one other rider.

As the Shark entered the Klutch wearing his mountain bike boots, he was greeted by a retired Kellogg employee he knew who wanted to know if he was planning a “moon walk” with those cool boots. Sharkman simply invited her to ride with the Minions next week and find out!

Bissell Boy entered from the back door and immediately bought our hero a Bottomless Kup! Is this guy great or what?

Moments later, Stingray pulled in and then they were four!

Obviously the entire Minion Nation had ignored their hero’s request to park at the school. Guess he will park behind the Klutch next week!

At 9:00 A.M. the fearless four set out to the trail head through the west end for Ft. Custer. This entrance is about 1 ½ -2 miles from the Klutch and offers a nice warm up to the ride.

Stingray led the group, being the most knowledgeable about the trails in Ft. Custer. Stingray maintained an easy, but steady pace over slightly snowy trails taking mercy on the Sharks poor conditioning of late.

As our foursome got to the trailhead, Sharkman commented that everyone needed to be careful, as the road was slick. It was just then that Hoosier Boy’s back tire slipped out from under him and down he went. No harm, no foul, and no other Minions at the Trailhead, so the group headed out on the Red for a great ride around the course.

It was when the mighty Minion Nation just started the section next to Eagle Lake that our intrepid hero performed, what has now come to be known as, “The 10 point drop and roll” move.

With Stingray leading the pack through a hair pin switch back, Sharkman took the short, steep climb with no momentum. As he tried to stand to pedal over a root, his back wheel spun out as he fell to his left. It was then that he performed a maneuver that will be talked about in the annals of Miniondom for years to come.

Falling to the left, he was able to unclick, roll on to his shoulder, flip over two times, bounce to his feet, snow falling off of his camelback, shouting, “I meant to do that!”

Immediately, Hoosier and Bissell Boy held up small signs that had 10’s on them, signifying the perfection of the fall! Stingray, riding head, stopped to give a standing ovation as our hero picked up his bike and pushed off up the hill.

After one loop of the red, the group headed back to Galesburg. The number of tofosi and paparazzi on the Champs le Galesburg was way down, due to the cold, but the small number made up for it with enthusiasm as they cheered the mighty Nation back to Galesburg!

Total miles registered, 19.14. Another great ride!


LET’S DO IT AGAIN!***

Belo News
December 11, 2010
Galesburg, Mi.


Galesburg, Mi. – The Mighty Minion Nation will ride again this weekend, weather
permitting. *** Same plan as last week.

Sooooo…..

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Koffee Time – 8:30 A.M.
Launch Time – 9:00 A.M. or there abouts….
Trail Head – 9:30 A.M.

Park where ever you want!

Be there!

*** Because the snow could put a damper on the ride, it may be cancelled. If the snow gets too deep, or if there is a thaw and the trails get muddy, the ride will be cancelled. If the ride is cancelled, it will be posted here at Belo News by 7:45 A.M. on Saturday morning.

So check back here Saturday morning to confirm if the Minions will ride!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

BACK TO THE TRAILS THIS SATURDAY!


DID YOU MISS THE CROSS SEASON TOO?

DNR AND MOUNTAIN BIKES AT FT. CUSTER



Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.
December 1, 2010

Galesburg, Mi. – Did you miss the Cyclocross Season like the Sharkman did? Where did the season go?

As we all know, cyclocross is a very short season, but one hell of a fun form of cycling if you can fit it in.

Unfortunately, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, just never got out there this season, but the famous Brewman did and reported in on the season finale and included the attached photos.

Brewman reported the finale had a really fun course on a beautiful day, unlike last year’s mud fest! Food and drink at New Holland Brewery after the event?

Is this a great country or what?

We are not quite sure who the dog belongs to, or how he did in the K-9 Division, but he sure is living the Shark Minion creed; “if you can’t be good, look good!”

Thanks Brewman!
You're looking good too!

Next big Cyclocross event is the Barry-Roubaix next March 26, 2011, and registration opens December 15, so mark you calendars now! Sharkman is planning on entering, pending appearance fee approvals and sponsor commitments, of course.



DNR HOLDS MEETING IN AUGUSTA

Belo News
Augusta Mi.
November 23, 2010

Augusta, Mi. – As previously reported, albeit on short notice, the DNR held an open meeting regarding the use of the trails at Fort Custer for both bikers and horse riders.

What we thought was a horse rider proposal actually ended up being a proposal to split the trails by the South Western Michigan Mountain Bike Association (SWMBA).

Both Danimal and Stingray were present for the proceedings which outlined a proposal to give the eastern trails (red and green) to the mountain bikers and the western trails (blue) to the horse riders. Actually, we here at the Belo News have not had any problems with the horses and would hate to see any trails restricted. But the thought seems to be that the horse riders chew up the trails making it more difficult for the DNR and the SWMBA to maintain them.

As we got to press, we have not heard what the out come of the meeting was but stay tuned for more breaking news as it becomes available.


TIME TO GET BACK TO THE TRAILS!

Belo News
December 1, 2010
Augusta, Mi.

Augusta, Mi. – Back by popular demand, the Minions will launching yet another assault on Ft. Custer this coming Saturday.

As we all learned three weeks ago, thanks to Gazelle Girl, it is an easy ride to the west park entrance from the Klutch, so we will meet at the Klutch at 8:30 a.m. for Koffee and then head out to ride around 9:00 a.m. Those who don’t drink Koffee (which is hard to believe) or want to sleep in can just show up at 9:00 a.m. to ride from the Klutch.

We strongly suggest parking at the normal start area so we don’t take up Koffee Klutch Kustomer parking while we are out riding the trails. It is less than a mile to the Klutch and a great shake down ride before going out to hit the trails.

Sooooo…..

Saturday, December 4, 2010
Koffee Time – 8:30 A.M.
Launch Time – 9:30 A.M. or there abouts….


Parking at Galesburg Middle School, the normal place.

Be there!
WINTER ROAD RIDING OPPORTUNITY?
Belo News
Battle Creek, Mi.
Battle Creek, Mi. - For those of you looking for a good winter road ride, Team Active in Battle Creek is sponsoring a Polar Bear ride on Sunday's at Noon from behind Team Active. They actually had 5 riders last Sunday and anyone is welcome to join Dutch and the group. So if you're looking for some winter action, here it is. You can check out their calendar of events at:
Where else can you get this type of cycling news?