HOW COLD WAS IT, YOU ASK?

BARRY ROUBAIX UPDATE!

TUESDAY NIGHT “SOFT” OPENNER!

Belo News

Galesburg, Mi.

March 26, 2011

Galesburg, Mi. – In the six or so years that the Mighty Minion Nation has been riding the field of dreams we have come to call the KK-Tour de Gull, the Sharkman has had only one fear. Yes, perhaps hard to believe, but there is one thing our intrepid hero does fear. Sharkman does have the fear of the “No Show” ride.

It would be like throwing a party, and no one showing up.

On Saturday, as our intrepid hero headed to the door, the lovely Lava Girl cried out, “don’t be surprised if no one else is there!” “Uh?” Sharkman said in reply…..

She went on, “it is Barry Roubaix Race Day and unless you had paid to ride, you’d have to be crazy to be out there in 22 degree temps!”

Undeterred, our hero stepped out into the sunshine and thought, “I’m sure we there will be Minions at the start!” As the Sharkmobile made its way to the start, the temperature gage on the dash registered 22, but moved to a balmy 23 when our hero approached the empty parking lot. It was 9:45 A.M. and no one was there. “I’m sure someone will show” our hero thought to himself as he pulled his faithful steed from the Vibe. After pumping his tires and starting to down his extra clothing, he started to think it might have happened…..no other Minions to ride! It was then that he saw Sooner pull into the lot in his Hyundai and then heard All Black approach on bike from the other direction!

Game on!

Three hale and hearty Minions would make up the Mighty Minion Nation this day, despite the 23 degree temperatures. With no Skipper to kick off the ride, and no press (it was even too cold for the paparazzi!), our hero’s headed towards town when Sharkman noticed that Sooner, in his hurry to put massive layers of cloths on his person, had forgotten to top off his sartorial splendor with his helmet.

All Black and Sharkman took the opportunity to go into the Klutch while Sooner headed (no pun intended) to his car to get his lid. Sooner mentioned that he thought the peloton would become four riders when Gazelle Girl jumped on, but the Sharkman informed everyone that she was up at Barry Roubaix like the rest of the cycling world. (It was later learned that Gazelle Girl was sick and was not able to race! It is hoped she will be back in the peloton soon!)

The three minions took solace in knowing that each of them was assured a podium finish on this cold, clear and windy day on the Field of Dreams!

The peloton forced Sharkman to the front to take the honorary first sprint as the wind came out of the north and began to pick up.

For the most part, the ride was pretty uneventful and each of the Minion riders took turns winning sprints as they came up in the pace line, which became one of the better pace lines of this young season.

As the Mighty Minion Nation headed south to the finish after the GGG crossing, each of them took a pull at the front of the cold, but quickly moving train. As the Nation began to lose sensation in their fingers and toes, All Black went to the front of the threesome at the ascent just before the finish. Meanwhile, Sooner stayed right on his wheel with Sharkman just behind.

Tension built as no one made a move and the finish line began to draw closer to the three. As the threesome bore down on the finish line, Sooner kept looking over his left should to see when Sharkman would make a move.

But Sharkman continued to sit in!

With about 100 yards to go, Sooner decided to make his move and the Sharkman stuck too his rear wheel like white on rice.

Sharkman then timed his finish perfectly as with only about 30 yards left, he pulled out from Sooners slip stream and went around him to nip him at the line by less than a half a wheel!

It was a victory for America!

The riders went to their water bottles in celebration only to learn they had frozen!

Average Speed 17.4 mph (not bad considering the riders were wearing 30 pounds of clothing!)

Unfortunately, there were no crowds on the Champs le Galesburg because it was just too darn cold out there! People peered through frost covered windows in their warm homes as our hero’s road into the Klutch.

When the Minions arrived at the Klutch, the lovely Luann was waiting with hot koffee and none other than the Wolf King was waiting and actually had bought a kup for our intrepid hero. Sharkman, aglow in his victory, bought Koffee for Sooner and All Black! Luann wouldn’t let the Minions pour the koffee on their feet to warm them, so they had to settle for letting their feet warm naturally (Sharkman stated his warmed up by around 6 p.m. later that day).

During the ensuing press conference, Sharkman was quoted as saying that, “on a cold day like this you’re either at Barry Roubaix or you’re here to ride with the Mighty Minion Nation or you’re a wimp!” It was an epic early spring ride!

And you won’t want to miss this week’s edition!

Since a half hour doesn’t seem to make much difference in temps and it has been light, the Cycling Commissioner has decided to go ahead and move the ride up to 9:30 A.M.

The weather is forecasted to be in the low 40’s and cloudy but if it is raining (or snowing) and the ride is cancelled we will post it here at the blog. If nothing is posted, assume the ride is a go!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Launch Time – 9:30 A.M. – SHARP!

Be There!

BARRY-ROUBAIX UPDATE!

Belo News

Yankee Springs, Mi.

Ace Reporter – Iceman

March 26, 2011 Yankee Springs, Mi. - Congratulations to those hearty Minions and Team Taylor riders who braved the crisp but sunny morning of Saturday 3/26 to participate in the Barry Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race. http://www.barry-roubaix.com/ . It was 19 degrees and bright sun when the waves rolled out at 10:00am...1,000 racers up in beautiful Yankee Springs. The Race started on rolling country roads and then got into the dirt roads, 35 miles, frozen water bottles and camelbacks, 2,200 feet of vertical climbing later, a three mile concrete run out to the finish line.... tough on the legs this early in the season, but it sure was nice to be outside enjoying Michigan. Beer, tacos, and a bonfire afterwards.

Minions at the Barry-Roubaix and we apologize if we missed anyone;

Falcon 13th 1:57:36 (35 mile)

Zickman 55th 2:15:29 (35 Mile)

Kid Doster 51st 2:11:21 (35 Mile)

Chumley 19th 1:39:22 (23 Mile)

MC Hammer (Cathy Bagi – Mrs. Chumley) 18th 2:09:37 (23 Mile)

Iceman 9th 1:57:11 (35 Mile)

Cleary 53rd (2:13:30) (35 Mile)

Conor 76th (4:10:46) (65 Mile) (Yes, you read that right! One Minion did the 65 miler and he did it on Sharkman’s Cyclocross bike! What a stud!)

TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE BEGINS WITH “SOFT OPENNING!”

Belo News

Battle Creek, Mi.

March 29, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi. – In a last minute decision, our own Rainman began the Tuesday Night Minion Ride a bit early and went for a “soft opening” to the season. The ride started at 5:30 p.m. from Kellogg HQ upper parking lot with Rainman, Conor and Sharkman in attendance. Though a bit cold, the riders did a 29 mile route at a mellow 17.3 mph. average. This is the official start to the Tuesday night ride and all Minions are welcome. The rides will start at 5:30 p.m. until May, when they will move to the regular 6:00 p.m. start time.

Come out and join the Tuesday evening fun!

HOW BAD ARE MICHIGAN ROADS?

Belo News

Detroit, Mi.

March 29, 2011

Detroit, Mi. – So, have you noticed how bad our roads are this spring? Well get a load of the following story from the Detroit Free Press;

The Detroit Free Press reports that 1,400 Michigan bridges need fixing;

Spans rated 13th worst!

Detroit, Mi. - More than 13 percent of Michigan’s highway bridges are structurally deficient, a number that will only grow as thousands of spans statewide approach their 50-year life expectancy, transportation leaders warned March 28. With about 1,400 bridges labeled structurally deficient by federal standards, Michigan ranks 13th worst in the nation in the number of bridges in poor condition, according to a report released March 28 by Transportation for America, a transportation advocacy group. The national average is 11.5 percent. Michigan’s nearly 11,000 highway bridges are, on average, 41 years old. About 185,000 U.S. bridges are more than 50 years old, and that number could double by 2030. A label of “structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe, but rather that shows wear and tear, and needs repair. The Michigan Department of Transportation director said March 28 that bridges in that category are inspected more frequently and would be closed immediately if they posed a risk to drivers.