The Skipper in his "Milk Race" Jersey!

IRONMAN RETURNS FOR WIN!

4^TH OF JULY FIREWORKS!

TUESDAY NIGHT FURNACE RIDE REPORT!

CELEBRITY RIDER THIS WEEK? OH, YEAH!

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE SHARKMAN!

Belo News

June 30, 2012

Galesburg, Mi. – As dawn broke hot over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero was very pleased to see Nikeboy waiting in the driveway for the ride over to the start.  The old Shark loves having company for the ride over and Nikeboy seems to have all the Battle Creek news to share!

As the two rode over to the start, Sharkman mentioned that he always wonders what kind of turn-out there will be when it is a holiday, or in this case, close to a holiday.  So the old Shark was pleased to see 21 riders show up (remember, when the number gets over 15-16, Belo News cannot remember who all rode and cannot name them specifically) for the ride.  Of special note, Zickman, Ironman and even Wolf King were back in the peloton after major hiatus’s from the Nation.  Unfortunately, Zickman still has not taken delivery on the much rumored “wooden” bike but is still hopeful. Belo News hopes to do a major story on this bike when it comes in so watch for it in future editions.

The Skipper was in attendance looking quite dapper in his “Kellogg Milk Race” jersey, which is a real collector’s item.  Kellogg use to sponsor a race in the U.K. called the “Milk Race” and legends like Sean Yates, Greg Lemond and Sean Kelly use to ride it regularly in a tune up for the Tour de France. And to think, those guys rode with the Skipper…….

Skipper got things going and as the Nation went by the Klutch, Luann and the early morning crew waved their approval to the jovial group of riders.

Gazelle Girl latched on heading north out of town with the usual Minion greeting of “Gazelle Girl!” and the ride was on.

Wolf King, wanting to make sure he got his name in the Belo News, led our hero out to the honorary first sprint where Sharkman took the official count of riders.

As the Nation headed towards the second sprint, shouts of “HOLE!” were heard as riders tried to dodge a major hole right after the left bend in the run up to the sprint.  Unfortunately, Cannon either didn’t hear it or couldn’t get out of the way, but when his front wheel hit the hole the sound of the exploding tire could be heard in downtown Galesburg!

After a couple of tubes and attempts to repair the tire, the Nation headed to the col de Twin Lakes, where a heated race for the sprint took place.

The Country Club section was again a speed way that it has traditionally become with several Minions contesting the sprint.

At the top of the col de Norte, Nikeboy reported that he had a slow leak in his rear tire, which only got worse by the Frona sprint.  Nikeboy suggested that the Nation go on ahead and he would just have to pump the tire up until he got back to the Klutch.

Again, the Nation had problems putting a pace line together. Oh, there were bikes, riders and speed, but any semblance of a line was purely coincidental.

After the GGG spot crossing, Sharkman went to the front to try to spread out the peloton, but we all know his good intentions never really materialize and the Nation had to jump in as the might train moved up the hill to finish.

Wildman was not in attendance to defend his previous win, yet no one seemed to want to let anyone “steal” the finish and all the moves at the front were being covered.

As the nation bore down on the finish, Ironman made his move with a quick response from Boatman and the Cannon.  Sharkman, fighting to get another podium spot, grabbed on to the Cannon’s wheel but couldn’t make a move and took 4^th (not bad for an old retired guy!).

Long lost Wolf King & Zickman

The crowds on the Champs le Galesburg went wild as our hero’s headed to the Klutch.

As the boys and girls of summer began to sip their Bottomless Brews at the Klutch, Nikeboy came in and reported not one but two flat tires!  Nikeboy then borrowed a phone to call Nikegirl to come over to pick him up.

To Sharkman’s delight, Hoosier Boy, wanting more miles as he prepares for the Ironman and CheddarHead rode back to the Cove with him!

You won’t want to miss this week’s edition as a special celebrity rider will be in attendance!

That’s right, the Sharkman’s son in law, Editor of the Outside Magazine Buyers Guide and Senior Editor at Outside will be our celebrity rider this Saturday!  Does that mean swag for riders?  No, probably some for Sharkman, but not for his Minions….sorry.

Big thanks to Bissell Boy who has loaned his Kestrel to the Great Moultini for the week! (And a mountain bike for his other son in law who arrives later on Saturday!)

Additionally, due to the Gull Lake Triathlon, the KK-TdG route will take a southern course to avoid the race.

Though it is predicted to be hot, we will stay at 8:00 A.M. launch.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Launch Time – 8:00 A.M. – SHARP!

Be there!

4^th OF JULY EXTRAVAGANZA!

Happy 4th of July!

Belo News

July 4, 2012

Galesburg, Mi. – After taking part in the Tuesday Night ride, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, decided to sleep in a bit and drive over to the start of the Special Edition, 4^th of July Extravaganza Ride.  Though he was up and sipping coffee at 6:30 A.M., apparently Woodie, his wife Sheila and Nikeboy were in the drive looking for our hero.  Nikeboy alleges banging on the front door, but neither Sharkman or Lava Girl heard anything!  When asked why he didn’t ring the doorbell, Nikeboy responded, “Doorbell?”

Sharkman was pleased to see 20 riders show up for the festivities and a number of them in either Yankee Red, White & Blue or in Bissell Red, White & Blue!

Some new riders were also in attendance and in addition to Sheila, Kit and Lonnie joined the Nation for the first time having been invited by Dr. Dave and the Skipper brought a rider with his own nick name!  Bio Waste! Welcome to the Mighty Minion Nation Sheila, Kit and Lonnie (names to be determined) and Bio Waste! You gotta love anyone with the name Bio Waste, eh?  Is this a great country or what?!?

After photographs and a few autographs, the Mighty Nation was ready to roll and decided to scout out a course for this upcoming Saturday.  The decision was made to head south up Qman Hill (named after an epic climb battle between Qman and Wolf King some years ago).

Sharkman took the nation past a water fall, The Tillers, which is an organization that teaches farmers how to till with Oxen, through the thriving metropolis of Scotts and the famous ice cream shop, Scooters, and then the final finish back down Qman’s Hill, where Sharkman clocked a speed of 37.04 mph!

Train?

The group even got stopped by a train on the ride as Dr. Dave, Kit and Lonnie peeled off to head back.

As the group headed down Qman Hill, Boatman made a surge to take the speed up and Wildman and the Nation followed.

As the train moved to the bottom of the hill and back into Galesburg, Dutch edged out Boatman with Sharkman on their tails!

How long is this train?

With the Klutch klosed, the Mighty Nation had to suffer caffeine withdrawal but also had to head home for the holiday anyway.

Sharkman reported seeing Woodie and Sheila riding back into the Creek as he exited I-94 at Helmer.

A great way to start the 4^th Holiday, and to beat the heat!

TUESDAY NIGHT FURNACE RIDE!

Belo News

July 3, 2012

Battle Creek, Mi. – How hot was it for the Tuesday Night Minion Chain Gang Ride, you ask?

With the heat index at over 100, the start temp at around 96 degrees, 6 crazy Minions headed out from Kellogg’s for the Tuesday Night assault on the roads to Galesburg.  Sharkman, Hoosier Boy, Airman, Stingray, and returning to the peloton two long lost Minions.  Rainman, taking a break from Dad Dooty and the Pirate (who also rode in the 4^th of July Extravaganza) was back from his world travels!

The riders decided that due to the heat, they would go easy into the head winds (yes, yet another windy Tuesday Night!?!) taking 1 minute pulls and keeping speed at around 20-21 miles per hour, then try to open it up coming back.

The wind seemed to keep the riders cool as they headed out and peloton seemed to be able to hold around 20 mph up until the G ave. hill.

As the Nation headed back, the tail wind pushed them up to greater speeds, but they kept taking shorter pulls at the front.  The Pirate dropped off at his house as the group approached Battle Creek and Jackson Street, where the sprint starts.

With the new pavement on Jackson, the Minions bore down on the finish working like a fine oiled watch.  Rainman and Airman put in some major pulls, with Hoosier Boy coming up front for the finish, bring the Minions in at a very respectable 20.8 mph average!  Pretty good considering the heat!

If you like a great workout, with pace line speed, this is the ride for you!

Tuesday Nights, 6:00 P.M. launch from Kellogg Headquarters upper parking deck!

Come on out and join the fun! Or the heat! Whatever…..

SAFETY COMMENTS FROM THE SHARKMAN, HIZZELF!

Belo News

July 4, 2012

Shark Cove, Mi. – With the nice weather, the Minions have enjoyed some pretty big crowds and we again want to stress some safety concerns, particularly as it relates to pace lines and the sprints.  We all want to have fun and be competitive, but we want to make sure everyone is safe, so here are some random points we would like everyone to consider when riding in the peloton.

1.  Please let the rider ahead of you know if you are moving up on their right or left.

2.   When pulling through to the front of the pace line do not accelerate. The pace line should move at a steady pace as the rider who peels off slows and goes to the back of the line.

3.   After stops or intersections, do not accelerate fast when starting but take the speed up slowly so the Nation can jump on the train and not fight to get back on the pace line.

4.  Try not to STAND in pace lines.  If you do have to get up, you should shout out “STANDING” and then wait one or two seconds later to stand.  When standing, riders tend to throw the bike back and it can hit the riders behind you on their front wheel.

5.  We have noticed that some of the riders with tri bars are using them in the peloton and we want to remind tri bike riders that they should not be down on their tri bars in a pace line or in a sprint as handling ability is diminished and usually the brakes are not within easy reach. 

Be safe out there and see you Saturday!

Sharkman