B-ROD THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

B-ROD TOOK THE FOLLOWING SHOTS!

Falcon and Thor fight it out while Bissell Boy celebrates his finish!

The Mighty Minion Nation!

Is that Andy Schleck in the peloton?

Bissell Boy and the Sharkman wave to their

adoring fans!

Nikeboy, back in the peloton!

Brewman leads the Mighty Minion Nation!

The famous Minion Pace Line!

I think that is Andy Schleck!

Sharkman makes his move.....about 100 meters too late!

SEASON RECORD TURN OUT!

STRYKER GUY TAKES SPRINT WITHOUT TEAM JERSEY?

WHAT HAPPENED TO SHARKMAN?

NEW SHARKLET IN THE PELOTON?

RED, WHITE & BLUE JERSEY DAY THIS WEEKEND!



Belo News
May 21, 2011

Galesburg, Mi. – All it took was some good weather!

Saturday dawned bright over the Shark Cove and as the Sharkman glanced out the port hole in his front door he noticed that Nikeboy’s garage door was open and his bike was standing at the ready!

Was it warm enough for even Nikeboy to make his KK-TdG season debut! It was indeed!

As the Sharkman launched from the cove, there was Nikeboy, riding his new Trek Madone carbon fiber steed and ready to escort the diminutive hero to the start!

As the two riders made there way to Galesburg they regaled each other with “what we did all winter” stories. Even though they are neighbors, with the kind of spring this year here in Michigan there haven’t been too many opportunities for discussion over the proverbial “backyard fence!”

As the dynamic duo arrived at the start, they were pleased to see riders continue to pour into the parking lot. Even Skipper was back on his new Cervelo (see photo) living the Minion credo that “if you can’t be good, look good!” and the Skipper was looking pretty damn good!

There were so many Minions in attendance that Belo News does not have room (or the memory) to name them all, however, in addition to Nikeboy making his debut, Boatman and Luke joined on as the ride headed north. Welcome back Nikeboy and Boatman! Also, Luke, son of Tow Truck and herein known as Luke Skywalker, acknowledged that he is expecting his first sharklet this December, giving Tow Truck his first grand sharklet! Congratulations to the Miller Clan! Good to have these Minions back in the peloton and another Minion on the way! The peloton continues to grow!

The crowd of riders was so large; Luann had no problem seeing the mighty Nation as they stopped for the light in Galesburg. Luann came out to wave as she was greeted with shouts from the peloton to make sure she had enough koffee brewed when the Nation returned to the Klutch.

As the train headed north, Gazelle Girl, Boatman, Cheetah, Kid Doster and possibly others joined on the fast moving train. Falcon, always looking for way to get his name into the Belo News, led the Shark out for his opening sprint and also bought him koffee post ride! No, really! He did!

As the ride moved north, the count of riders was 23+. Interestingly, with all the riders, one Minion reported that they were talking as the group headed up the col de No Name and looked down at their speedometer and noted a speed of 24 mph with no effort. The large peloton was moving at a fast and very steady pace as it headed through Kellogg Korner and past the Country Club.

As the group moved past the Digital Divide and through the Bermuda Triangle of flat tires, a very efficient pace line formed up. As the snaking train moved towards the GGG Stop Ahead sign, Stryker Guy blasted from the field and took the sprint.

Unfortunately, he was later fined for not wearing his Stryker Team Jersey. Though Stryker Guy alleges that he was not issued one for fear he would actually wear it in public, the fine will stand as it might be the only time he would have gotten some press coverage for the team!

Everyone was together as the Nation headed south to the finish. Tow Truck went out early and along with Chico pulled the train to the top of the finishing hill. That was when the Cheetah made his move with Rainman and Falcon on his tail and that his how they finished with the Nation right behind.

Final average speed a blistering 19.6 mph! It was a victory for America!

The Tofosi went wild on the Champs le Galesburg as the large throng of riders zipped up their jerseys for their sponsors while the sound of camera’s clicked away along the road filled the air.

Sharkman was quick to get to the Klutch, but not as quick as Falcon in buying the first kup of koffee for our hero, the Sharkman his self! Great job, Falcon!

For the Minions it was a taste of a better weather season and hopes of great turn outs to come. The discussion centered on how the world was going to come to an end later this day and how everyone was going to spend the rest of their life before 6:00 P.M. Meanwhile, Sharkman was just glad to have Nikeboy to pull him home after the ride.

By now, we all know that the world did not come to an end. The really good news about the world not coming to the end is that the Minions get to ride again this weekend!

Though we intent to move the start time up as the weather warms, it has been decided to keep the time at 8:30 A.M. for the holiday weekend. So sleep in, Minions! The peloton will go to 8:00 A.M. the following week!

It is Memorial Day Weekend so show your pride and wear your Red, White and Blue Kit!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Launch Time – 8:30 A.M. – SHARP!


WHAT HAPPENED TO SHARKMAN?


Belo News
May 21, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi. – In a related story and as reported last week, a Reverend Campling had predicted that the world would end on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. Actually, he had reported that there would be rapture at 6:00 P.M. and that the end of the world would begin.

Coincidentally, Sharkman had decided to go for a ride around that time and when he did not return, search crews found his bike and kit along the side of the road, just south of town.

Could it be? Could it possibly be?



TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE REPORT

Belo News
May 24, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi.- The Tuesday Night ride had a celebrity rider this week when Stingray, Rainman, Wilier Boy and Sharkman (who mysteriously returned to the peloton) launched from Kellogg Headquarters at 6 p.m. SHARP! As the four Minions headed out of town, an unknown rider joined on. The rider stated that he was in town on business and had called Team Active to ask about any rides. The shop told him about the Minion East Ride and so he joined on. Turned out he works for the U.S. Postal Service so he was immediately named Express Mail as he not only looked good on the bike, he actually was good!

The riders, working in a pace line much like the old Chain Gang, rode in unison and averaged 20.1 mph for the night! Great ride and it was good to have Express Mail, our newest Minion, on board for the trip! If you’re looking for a good pace line type of ride, come on out and join the fun on Tuesday nights at 6:00 P.M. from Kellogg Headquarters!


MICHIGAN MOUNTAIN MAYHEM!

Belo News
May 25, 2011

Boyne City, Mi. – If you are looking for some great, challenging road riding, and the Michigan Mountain Mayhem ride might be for you! Our own Conor is trying to put a group together to do the ride. He is planning on heading up for the 200K and looking for car pooling. He has a huge tent and is willing to share.

Check it out:

http://www.michiganmountainmayhem.com/

If you are interested, contact Conor at conor.macfarlane@gmail.com or via phone 773.301.5537

RAINS OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS!

THE RETURN OF SQUEAKY!

WHO ELSE IS BUILDING AN ARK?

Belo News
May 14, 2011

Galesburg, Mi. – As our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, pulled back his Shark Blanket and leaped from his warm bed to the sound of the theme from “Jaws” playing on his shark alarm, Lava Girl shouted, “turn off that alarm and quit dancing, its raining outside!”

Sharkman, still standing in his shark pajamas with both fists firmly planted on his hips, which were swinging to the “Jaws” theme, reluctantly silenced the alarm and clicked on the shark radar. Lava Girl is not a morning person…..

Mmmmm, it looked like the rain had actually stopped and that there was some clearing that might indicate a “window of opportunity” for a possible ride.

With all the Blog problems last week, he wasn’t sure if he could post a cancellation anyway.

That’s when the first email came in from the recently absent Brewman. “I lost the blog site! Is there a ride this morning?”

Is there a ride this morning?

Sharkman wanted to ride so bad he completely ignored his better judgment when the Weather Channel was predicting a “steady rain” for Saturday morning.

Sharkman’s response to Brewman, who had been training for and just completed the Kalamazoo Marathon, was “yes, I am going to ride to the start!”

As Sharkman launched from the Cove, the streets were actually drying off and he was feeling like maybe, just maybe there would be a ride!

The old Shark worked his way west and as he got about three miles out he became warm and he decided to take his rain jacket off and pulled over. It was then that he felt the first drops of rain. He decided to keep his jacket on…..

Within a couple more miles the rain began, and began in earnest. However, he was half way to Galesburg and figured he couldn’t get any wetter. But, oh, he was wrong!

When the Sharkman arrived at the start, he pulled up under the front door overhang of the school to get out of the “steady rain.” That is when he noticed he had an email from Falcon and a phone call from All Black asking if there was a ride. As the Sharkman called All Black and sent an email to Falcon, none other than Squeaky himself came riding in! Making his first appearance of the year, Squeaky pointed out his rear derailleur wasn’t working. So, nothing changes, same old Squeaky. (BTW Squeaky, get that fixed before group riding, it could be dangerous!) Shortly after, Brewman showed up soaking wet, having ridden in from Parchment.

Are these Minions desperate to ride, or just crazy? Probably both!

Moments later Toast, Dutch and Thor drove in by car and it was decided to go to the Klutch for Koffee and bag the ride.

As the Minions began to leave the parking lot, Tow Truck arrived and said he was already wet so he was going to ride. Squeaky took off after him and the two were not seen again!

The Klutch was full when the Minions arrived and the Gnarly Old Men were all in wonder that the Minions would be out riding on the rainy morning. Dripping wet, our hero’s sat down for a hot kup of Koffee.

Falcon then arrived, soaking wet, and he too, said he was going to ride.

It was then that the Shark Phone rang. It was Lava Girl. “Where are you?” she asked. The Sharkman told her he was at the Klutch and would be riding home soon, to which Lava Girl replied, “No your not! It is pouring down in buckets in the Creek and I’m coming to get you!” The old Shark loves when she talks that way…...

More importantly, he was glad to get the ride home in a warm car as the radar was showing red and yellow over Battle Creek and it was actually heading from south east to northwest, the direction he’d be riding into. When he got back to the Cove there was a virtual river flowing in the street!

It was a rain of Biblical proportions!

Well, we have all had it with this weather and are hoping for a change! How long can this season of discontent continue? Well, come to the next ride and fine out!

This Saturday, May 21, 2011

Launch Time – 8:30 A.M. – SHARP!


TOAST RIDES THE MOUNTAINS!

Belo News
May 7, 2011

Rocky Mountain, Co. – Our own Toast headed out to Colorado recently to do some mountain training. Toast is planning to do a three day mountain bike ride later this season. In yet another, in-depth investigative report, our staff was able to obtain this never before seen secret training photos showing toast on the Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain, N.P. 11, 250 Ft. Temperatures were reported in the mid fifties with dry pavement.

Get a load of that snow! You go, Toast, make the Mighty Minion Nation proud!


TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE REPORT

Belo News
May 17, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi. – Though the sun was shining at the start, four Mighty Minions finished with dark, threatening clouds, but actually did get a ride in without getting rained on. Rainman, Wilier Boy, Sharkman and STINGRAY set a searing pace going out to Galesburg averaging 19.4 mph. They actually hit a max speed of 35.7 mph on the Minion DD-TdG finish on 37th Street!

Realization hit as they headed back to Augusta and had a major headwind directly in their faces.

However, the chain gang type pace line worked like a well oiled watch and the small Nation still finished with a 19 mph average (Sharkman showed 18.9, but both Rainman and STINGRAY had 19.0, Wilier Boy could only give a watt output, damn techies).

If you’re looking for a good workout in a pace line, the Tuesday Night ride is for you. Launch time is 6:00 P.M. from the Kellogg Headquarters upper deck parking lot. Come on out and join the fun!

WORLD TO END SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M.!

Belo News,

May 21, 2011

Oakland, Ca. – In keeping with our policy at Belo News that our mission is to insure that the Mighty Minion Nation is always informed of all things important, we would like to remind everyone that Harold Camping, who is an 89 year old minister in California, has predicted that the end of the world as we know it, will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

We would also like to remind everyone that this is AFTER the KK-TdG and cannot be used as an excuse for not showing up for the ride. Additionally, since the world will be coming to an end, the Sharkman has volunteered to collect all of your valuables and of course, bike equipment, after Saturday’s ride, guaranteeing that he will take care of it in the upcoming millennium.

Apparently, the world will not actually end at 6:00 p.m. just “as we know it.” Camping has stated that all the good people will be taken up this Saturday and “hell on earth” will reign for an additional 6 months before the actual end comes. But never fear, since Sharkman is one of the good guys, he will take care of all your “stuff” when he is “taken up!”

"Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment," stated Mr. Camping. So you heard it here, from Belo News first. We don’t know who the hell this guy is, but it sure sounds scary to us!

We are wondering what “hell on earth” will be for the next six months but we understand it maybe a continuation of this weather, not being allowed to ride your bike and having to listen to rap music 24/7. (Editors note – Kill us now!)

Hey, maybe the end already came and Sharkman didn’t get called up in the Rapture!

After all, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, droughts, volcanic eruptions, mudslides, hurricanes floods, fires, wars, insurrections….whoa all that was in the paper this past week!

See you Saturday! We hope……..

THE TOW TRUCK RETURNS!

A TARDETTE SIGHTING?

NAME THAT SEAT SLOT CONTEST?

Thor, the Movie?

Belo News
May 7, 2011

Galesburg, Mi. – It was like instant summer this past weekend on the KK-TdG field of dreams!

The forecast had been for rain, and it did look stormy to the west as our intrepid hero, the Sharkman launched from the Cove, but by start time the sun was shining and the Minions were stripping off layers of Lycra for the start.

A few riders were making their season debuts. Bissell Boy arrived on his new, Bissell Team issue (who else) Pinarello Dogma! Yes, you heard that right, a Dogma! Only the most lusted after two wheel ride in the world! (see photo). This is one Minion who lives the Minion Credo, “If you can’t be good, look good!”

In addition, the Tow Truck had returned after his spring hiatus and was decked out in his familiar Mexican jersey. Dr. Dave also put in his first appearance of the year, showing up in his OUCH spring jacket and stating he couldn’t do the whole ride. OUCH!

Rumors have been circulating that the Skipper has a new ride as well and has yet to come out when the Sharkman is in attendance. Could he be afraid of our hero? Where are you Skipper? The Sharkman is looking for you!

In his continued absence, the Pirate led the band of intrepid Minions at the start and off through town. In addition to who has already been mentioned, in attendance was Danimal, Chumley, MC Hammer, Rainman, Thor and Wilier Boy still going strong after his knee surgery.

Editors Note – (It should be noted that Stingray was not in attendance Saturday and we mention that because we accidently neglected to mention his attendance in last week’s Wednesday Night, Tuesday Night ride, which was corrected and changed the very next day after we learned of our error (confused yet?). However, he WAS NOT in attendance for the Saturday ride so we didn’t forget him, he just didn’t show (is this O.K. Stingray? At least you got your name in the blog!).

Once again, our own Gazelle Girl was greeted with a mighty roar of “Gazelle Girl!” as she rode up to the peloton heading north out of town on 36th.

After Sharkman took the Sharkman Sprint, the peloton seemed to pick up the pace pretty good for the first time this season. (Actually, Sharkman could be accused of taking the pace down in his sprint at the start, as Danimal had to push him a bit to make sure he got there!).

A major part of the increase in speed was that the Tow Truck was back in the peloton and was driving a steady pace. In the Country Club section, the pace really picked up even more and an excellent pace line buzzed along in unison with everyone hooked on the fast moving train.

At the Rt. 43 Stop Ahead Sprint, no one made a move on the Tow Truck in deference to his strong pull and the great pace line he had set up. The Sharkman called for a caution flag on Rt. 43 as that section of road has gotten extremely rough. Where are you Kalamazoo County Road Commission?

The Mighty Minion Nation was reveling in the fantastic weather as it rambled down the east side of Gull Lake after the col de Norte, through the Bible Conference Hills, the inlet and across the Digital Divide. For the most part, the Minions rode like a well oiled precision drill team, the sun shining off their spokes as the bikes rode in a pace line as though it were on a single track as one bike.

After the Minions crossed the GGG Zone, the Tow Truck again went to the front and began to hammer, with the long line of Minions in hot pursuit. Though the Mighty Minion Nation wanted to honor the effort of the towering Tow Truck by not making a move on him, they all wanted that finishing sprint much even more. Bearing down on the final tape, the Tow Truck, now completely spent from the battle, gave way to Thor as the Boy of Thunder took off and made his move so quickly, he caught Rainman just a tick off in his response and though he gave it a valiant effort, could not reel the racing Thor back in before the finish. Sharkman went around the Tow Truck to take the final spot on the podium.

Average Speed was a season high 19.5 mph!

The Tow Truck bid adieu to the Minions at the finish and like the Lone Ranger, took off for home on his steed riding into the rising sun.

The Tofosi and Paparazzi went wild on the Champs le Galesburg as the riders approached the Klutch where the lovely Luann had steeping hot bottomless kups of koffee waiting for our hero’s.

The Paparazzi clamored around when the famous Tardette, who had not been seen by the Minion Nation in quite some time, made an appearance to sign autographs and introduce all the Minions to Toby, her and Rainmans new puppy and now, Mighty Minion Nation Celebrity Dog for the 2011 Season. Toby, Tardette and Rainman then posed for photos and signed autographs for the Tofosi on the sidewalk outside the Klutch.

NAME THAT SEAT SLOT CONTEST!

Belo News
May 7, 2011
Gazelle Girl

Galesburg, Mi. – Last week we mentioned that a discussion had taken place concerning what bikers call the slot that runs down the bike seat. This question raised a lot of discussion in the peloton and we had a technical problem getting that posted last week. Everyone asked, “so what is that slot called?”

In, yet another Belo News, in-depth report, the kind of reporting we know our readers want and expect, the entire story has now been made public by our Special Reporter, Gazelle Girl, in her own words:

Saturday, April 30 at the Klutch, the Gnarled Old Men of Downtown Galesburg sent LuAnn over with a question.

“Why do you have those holes in your seats?”

I volunteered the nickname that I use for my beloved Terry women’s saddle. LuAnn sauntered away with a grin. I then turned back to Sharkman and the Minions and began regaling them with the remainder of the nicknames I have for my beloved Terry women’s saddle.

Suddenly we heard a loud voice echo throughout the Klutch.

“They call it the Beaver Reliever!” cried LuAnn to the table of Gnarled Old Men of Downtown Galesburg.

This outburst silenced the room just about the time that my litany of saddle nicknames directed at the Shark Minions ended on “Twat Slot.” The multiple phrases, so perfectly timed, rose up to the ceiling, intermingled and fluttered slowly down, blanketing the ears of LuAnn, Sharkman, the Minions, the Gnarled Old Men of Downtown Galesburg and the big bearded guy in the cowboy hat like a fecund mist. Needless to say, this topic of conversation pretty much came to a halt at that point.

So... the question goes to YOU!

What’s your favorite name for your saddle and/or the hole within? MOST CLEVER NAME will be chosen by consensus of a committee of three: Sharkman, Gazelle Girl and Squeaky Bob. (Not really Squeaky Bob. We just haven’t seen his name in the blog or heard him on a ride in so long...)

***** WINNER GETS 1 FREE COFFEE!!! *****
Deadline to enter: Friday at 5 pm. Better hurry!

TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE REPORT!

Belo News
May 10, 2011
The Pirate

Battle Creek, Mi. – More in-depth reporting from the Pirate on the Tuesday Night Ride that actually rode on Tuesday Night:

We had a thin crowd last night for the Tuesday ride.

No Sharkman to keep us honest!

No Rainman to keep the sprinkles away.

It was just Hoosier Boy, a rider name Rick with his Litespeed from Augusta (rode with us several times) and myself.

We enjoyed a leisurely 21 mph heading out to Galesburg with the comfort of a tailwind pushing us, however with only three riders, once we turned and headed home we could only muster a miserable 18 mph.

There was no racing going on but we did solve most of the world’s crisis on the ride out to Galesburg.

(Editors note – Stingray was reported as NOT being in attendance for this ride as well.)


THOR, the Movie?

Belo News
May 12, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi. – So we all know Thor, right? Great rider, good Minion in the peloton, knows how to keep his line, polite, looks a little like Alexander Vinokourov when he wears that Astana Cap, right? Yeah, everyone knows Thor.

So naturally, we all got excited when we heard there was a movie about him! We love Thor and who doesn’t love bike movies even more? (Hey, that actually rhymes…). Who can forget Breaking Away, the greatest bike movie ever made, or American Flyers with a young Kevin Costner? Yeah, a corny movie, but still a good bike movie right?

So you can imagine our disappointment when we went to see Thor, God of Thunder and it was about some guy with a hammer and not about Thor winning a sprint. What is that all about? There wasn’t even a bike in the stupid movie!

When we asked for our money back, the guy at the theater said he didn’t know what we were talking about and called security. Stupid Movie Theater…..
We haven’t been this disappointed since we went to that movie, Sharkboy and Lava Girl and learned it wasn’t about Sharkman growing up!

So be warned, Thor, the movie isn’t about our own Thor OR about bikes or anything else on two wheels!

We give this movie a big thumb’s down!


NEW TIME – NEW TIME FOR RIDE – NEW TIME!

This Saturday, May 14, 2011

Launch time moved up to 8:30 A.M. – SHARP!

Conor Does Yankee Springs!

Click on Headline and watch our own Minion Conor doing the Time Trials on his single speed at Yankee Springs!

STRONG WINDS CONFRONT THE MINION NATION!

SHARKLET SIGHTING IN THE OBG?

TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE NOW OFFICIAL!

IS SHARKMAN PUTTING ON WIEGHT?

Belo News
Galesburg, Mi.

April 30, 2011

Galesburg, Mi. – As dawn broke over the Shark Cove, the Sharkman got pretty excited about riding to the start for the first time this season. Knowing that the temperatures were predicted in the 60’s, our intrepid hero was feeling good that he would finally be able to ride to the start, something he usually does earlier in the season. But as we all know, this season has been one of the coldest and wettest in Minion history!

The ride over was pleasant and the Sharkman felt great, as he beat the train on Renton Road (it can be a long wait when those freight cars go by) as he heard the crossing bells right after he had crossed the track. His first thought was lucky day and his second was how fast he seemed to be going along Michigan Ave. towards the Eaton Plant.

It didn’t dawn on our hero that the wind was coming out of the East, Southeast and pushing him along at a pretty good clip.

As he crossed the Kalamazoo River just east of Galesburg, his seat flew up and the horn of the seat was firmly implanted in a very tender location. After pulling to the side of the road and dismounting his titanium steed, he realized that his saddle had come loose and the horn of the seat was at a 45% angle to the top bar!

Is the Sharkman’s dorsal butt getting a bit heavier, perhaps? Could it be that with Oberon back this spring, he is perchance, indulging more than he should?

After all, how may times has a riders saddle done that…..? Sharkman isn’t talking…..

He tried to work on it but it seemed like the Alien allen wrench wasn’t long enough to make the fix, so our hero rode to the start standing on the bike.

Getting to the start about 15 minutes early (it was a very strong wind), our hero tried to find a longer allen wrench among the assembled riders and when he couldn’t, realized that his Alien tool kit would do the trick. Unfortunately, in his haste, he didn’t really get the horn of the saddle down low enough before the ride and decided to ride with it as it was. As a result, he actually had to sing in the Boy’s Choir in Church the next day but is doing better now and his voice has returned to normal!

At the start, B-Rod, the Pirate, CheddarHead (making his season debut), Toast and Falcon were gathered. Falcon had brought a friend to ride named Mark and mentioned that he should be known forthwith as Mr. Luv because he is a pilot for Airtran that is merging with Southwest, which is the “Love” Airline. I think Mark will be working on a new nick name, but better hurry before Mr. Luv sticks!

Approaching in his customary all black kit, All Black was riding his classic Atala steel steed, complete with down tube shifters! (see photo). This is one cool retro bike and the orange frame cooler seemed to make his black kit pop! What a classic look! We all know that the Sharkman covets that bike and All Black was wary of him the entire ride.

With the Skipper still AWOL, his faithful sidekick, the Pirate, led the Mighty Minion Nation at the start, past the Klutch and through Galesburg to the field of dreams we call the KK-TdG!

As the riders made their way north, a shout of “Gazelle Girl” went up in the peloton as the legendary rider made her customary approach and turned into the Nation!

Sharkman took his regular first sprint when B-Rod first led him out, followed by Falcon, who for fun, made it close at the stop ahead.

Sharkman surprised everyone by sliding past four riders and stealing the second sprint from B-Rod, who seemed to let the old Shark take the stop ahead by not responding to the sneaky attack.

The peloton hung together through most of the Country Club section with Toast, B-Rod and All Black battling at the front while others chose to sit in.

As the peloton crested the col de Norte and headed south, the strong east, south east wind met them head on. Sharkman started complaining about having to ride home into the wind with his saddle pointing up and after several complaints was severely chastised by Gazelle Girl for his incessant whining! (but it was windy!)

Though the wind continued through the Bible Conference Hills and a pace line formed up, it quickly fell apart as the Nation bore down on Frona’s.

After the Digital Divide, the pace line picked up again right up to the G Ave. sprint, which was not contested. Everyone seemed to want to play nice in the peloton.

As the Nation headed south to the finish, once again the Sharkman went to the front as if he repeated his imitation of Hossman from the previous week. Toast, B-Rod, Falcon, All Black and the Sharkman led to the final ascent before the finish and as they crested the hill, Falcon headed out with B-Rod and Toast on his wheel while the rest of the peloton seemed to have given into the strong winds. Falcon broke too early for B-Rod or Toast to catch on and that is the way they finished. Average speed was 17.9 mph which, considering the wind, seemed fairly respectable.

The Klutch was a buzz as our hero’s entered and ordered their Koffee from their favorite Barista, the lovely Luann. The regular locals who sit at the door to the Klutch then asked the riders why there was a slot down the middle of most of their bike saddles. That question led to a number of explainations, and more importantly a list of names for the slot that caused quite an uproar of laughter from the local fans. This led to a seminar on bike seats, which you would have thought would remind the Sharkman to fix his seat before the long, windy ride home, but he was so numb down there he forgot all about it!

You won’t want to miss this week’s edition of the KK-TdG! The forecast at press time was for rain, but we can hope, Right?

Remember, if it is raining, something will be posted here at Belo News!

This Saturday – May 7, 2011

Launch Time 9:00 A.M. – SHARP!


TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE CLARIFICATION!

Belo News
May 4, 2011

Battle Creek, Mi. – The Tuesday Night, Minions East Chapter did this weeks Tuesday Night Ride on Wednesday Night when the forecast for Tuesday looked like Rain and Sharkman couldn’t ride on Tuesday. This change completely screwed up several Minions and the Sharkman has publically apologized for changing the day at the last minute. This will not happen in the future and going forward this summer this ride will be officially on Tuesday nights, regardless of the weather, leaving from the upper level parking lot of the Kellogg Headquarters at 6:00 P.M.

This ride is similar to the Chain Gang ride covering 29 miles out to Galesburg and back most of which is in a pace line. There will be no emails and whoever shows, rides. Tonight Sharkman, Stingray, Rainmain, CheddarHead, and the Pirate. The Pirate had bike commuted to work and used the evening ride to put in a few extra miles on his ride home. He was wearing a back pack that was so large, it looked like he had everything he owned in it. He also had a great, big “slow vehicle ahead” triangle attached to the pack, making him look like a farm tractor. Consideration is being given to a new name of “Tractor Boy.” Despite the heavy load, the Pirate kicked some serious butt before heading home on the return on Augusta Road.

Come on out and join the group next Tuesday night!

SHARKLET IN THE OUTSIDE BUYERS GUIDE!

Belo News
April 30, 2011

Santa Fe, NM. – As we all know, the Sharkman’s son in law is none other than Sam Moulton, the “Great Moultini” of Iron Horse fame and a sometimes Celebrity Minion Rider. Sam is also an Executive Editor at Outside Magazine and also, Editor of the Outside Buyers Guide.

As the photo indicates, Lava Girl was pleasantly surprised to learn that her little sharklet, Lily, was featured on page 16, the Editors page, sitting on the lap of the Great Moultini during a canoe trip. Actually, it was also learned that it was a family affair as Lily’s Mom, Nicole, actually took the photo!

Sharkman was also pleased to see comments concerning the Editors father in law (that would be the Sharkman) and his new found passion for the mountain bike.

You will want to run, not walk, to pick up your copy, as Lava Girl seems to be purchasing every copy she can find to send to friends and relatives.

It is a great magazine if you like outdoor equipment, including bikes, running and camping gear, this is one fantastic read. And even if you don’t like that stuff, you will love the photo of the Sharkman's sharklet Lily! Get your copy today!