Minions West Chapter Ride!

 SANTA FE: DAY TWO!

MINIONS WEST CHAPTER FORMS!

SEAN NAMED RETRO MAN!

Belo News
April 27, 2012

Santa Fe, N.M. – As the sound of the shark alarm pried the eyes of our intrepid hero open, he could hear the sounds of his grand sharklet, Beck, again enjoying his breakfast.  The Great Moultini had called for an early start, and it was still dark outside as our hero dragged his sorry dorsal from his warm bed and emerged for some coffee in the Moulton Estate kitchen.

In addition to the Great Moultini, Sharkman’s daughter Nicole, aka the” Nickster” would be accompanying the ride this morning, along with several new inductees to the Mighty Minion Nation; Meaghen, Amy, Sarah and Ryan (names to be determined) were all virgin Minions!  Welcome to the Nation, Minions.

Another rider, already a Minion from the infamous failed attempt of the Sandia Crest mountain climb last Thanksgiving, arrived, but was not given a Minion name last year.  However, he corrected that situation on this day of riding as he sidled up on a sweet single speed, direct-drive Cinelli wearing a matching Cinelli hat!  Sean was looking good and Sharkman immediately anointed him with the Minion name, “Retro Man!” 

Retro Man!

As the temperature hovered around 39 degrees, the group headed out with the Sharkman on a very cool Pinarello Duo carbon fiber ride, care of the Great Moultini! At first he thought the gears weren’t working then realized he was riding Shimano instead of his usual Sram components.

The group was heading on the Las Campanas ride, a very sweet, rolling ride through the foothills of the Santa Fe range.

Nickster and the Great Moultini

Sharkman living large

Retro Man was impressive as he shot to the lead on his single speed while the Great Moultini and he toyed with each other off the front.  Sharkman, the cool veteran, was invoking his motto that the “race does not always go to the swiftest or fittest, but to the rider who conserves their energy the best!”  Translation is that he was sitting in, still attempting to acclimate to the altitude and to save some legs for the second attempt of the Sandia Crest Mountain climb that would take place on the morrow. 

Ryan, who arrived late and missed the group’s departure, came up from behind the group like a shark on the attack.  Riding a BMC (the majority of the Minions West Chapter seemed to be on Cervelos) he quickly overtook the group and shot to the front as Retro Man had to re-adjust his rear wheel of his single speed. 

The ride went 23 miles, with a lot of climb and roll, and Sharkman regaling the Nation with the story of the day at the Iron Horse when the “Family Betrayal” took place.  


A great ride, with great new Minions (the Mighty Minion Nation continues to grow!). Stay tuned tomorrow for the story of the second attempt at the Sandia Crest Mountain!