Tuesday, February 25, 2014

THE NATION SAY'S GOODBYE TO LUANN!
Goodbye Luann! We'll miss you!

END OF WINTER PARTY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

POLE 2 POLE THIS SATURDAY!

SEASON OPENER SATURDAY MARCH 15, 2014!


Belo News
February 22, 2014

Galesburg, Mi. - The Klutch was rocking last Saturday as the mighty Minion Nation said goodbye to the "Sweetheart of the Klutch!"  

Luann's collage of the past 9 years!
As anyone who is anyone in cycling knows, Luann has sold the Koffee Klutch and will be moving on some time in March.  So the Nation got together on Saturday to celebrate the almost 9 years of great Saturday mornings they have shared with Luann and all the fun she has provided the Minions. 

Luann invited the Nation in for free koffee and Sharkman and Lava Girl provided the cake.  In addition to Sharkman and Lava Girl, Bissell Boy, Brewman, Wildman, Hossman, Mad Dog, Rainman, Tardette, and Raindrop were all in attendance.

The cake was a big hit!
Sharkman said a few words, speaking about how the Nation had been at the Klutch on the first Saturday Luann opened in July of 2006 and how Luann had hosted the sweaty Nation on most Saturday mornings from March to November ever since.  Sharkman also shared how much the Nation will miss Luann and how much she has meant to the special ambiance of the Koffee Klutch Tour de Gull ride each week.

All agreed, our Luann will be greatly missed!

Sharkman then presented Luann with a framed collage of photos from the past 9 years and Luann introduced the new, soon to be owner, of the Klutch, Andrew Perrault.

Welcome to the mighty Minions Nation Andrew!
Sharkman say's a few words and gives Luann the framed collage!

Even some of the early Saturday Morning group were there and had some of Luann's cake.

A big thanks to Luann for a great morning and for all she has done for the Nation the past 9 years! 





Luann with owner to be Andrew Perrault!









Luann and Raindrop
Tardette and Raindrop liked the cake!










Hossman, looking svelt, discussing the art of cake eating.










Rainman, "excuse my reach......... for more cake!"
Luann and Mad Dog with his Latte (or whatever it is!).










The crowd looks on as Sharkman says a few words of thanks!










The Nation talks bikes. "When does the season start?"
(see story below)

"I love cakes!"

More cake please.......




















POLE 2 POLE RACE SET FOR THIS SATURDAY!

DON'T MISS THIS RACE!
P2P Race this Saturday!

Belo News
February 25, 2014

Gull Lake, Mi. - The Annual (except for last year when there wasn't enough ice) Pole 2 Pole Race is all set to launch this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Zickman Estate!

This race is back by popular demand after last years hiatus and should be an exciting way to end winter after the End of Winter Party on Friday night!

This unique "race" allows you to race on any form of conveyance you want as long as it doesn't have a motor.  Ski, snow shoe, bike, run, etc.  Contestants race from the flag pole at the Zickman Estate to the flag pole across the lake at the Gull Lake Country Club and back.

A celebration of the race will take place after and the event is BYOB! 

Get out your fat bike, ski's, snow shoes, sled, whatever and get our butt in gear!

Bring you favorite beer to enjoy the post race activities!

The Zickman Estate is located at 4106 East Gull Lake Drive hickory corners but snow banks are block the numbers on the mailbox post - its a black mailbox .4 mi north of Ross township park--there will be a penguin in the snowbank by the drive!  Is this a great country or what?!?

Don't forget, this race has a 9:00 A.M. - SHARP! Start, so don't be late, Bunkie!


TEAM ACTIVE END OF WINTER PARTY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

Belo News
February 25, 2014

Battle Creek, Mi. - What better way to get ready for the Pole 2 Pole Race than to party hardy at the Annual Team Active End of Winter Party?!

This has become one of THE cycling events of the year and the Nation will not want to miss the opportunity to see what is new, and visit with riders you've not seen all winter!


END OF WINTER PARTY 2014 WITH SPECIAL GUEST MELISSA STOCKWELL; FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH

Okay, enough already.  Are you as sick and tired of winter as we are?  The snow is pretty and all but it is starting to get a bit rediculous.  It's time to take some action.  So, why not start planning for the End of Winter party.  What is the End of Winter Party?  It's just the biggest event on the cycling calendar.  Food, lively beverages, specials and of course, our special guest.  This year the event will be held on Friday, February 28th, 2014 and we are honored to be bringing in Melissa Stockwell and her service dog, Jake.  Melissa (melissastockwell.com) is an Iraq war veteran who lost a leg to a roadside bomb.  She has since gone on to not only overcome her injury but excel in triathlons. She was a 2008 Paralympian and is a 3 time paratriathlon world champion and motivational speaker.  Melissa also started Dare2tri paratriathlon club, a non-profit organization that serves youth, adults and injured service members who have physical disabilities.  Dare2tri prepares the paratriathletes for competition by providing the adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching, and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides. Team Active will be holding a silent auction at the End of Winter party with the proceeds benefiting Dare2tri. Please mark your calendars and come out ready to party and meet Melissa.



SEASON OPENER SLATED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

Belo News
February 25, 2014
The Shark Minion Nation will be in the water soon!

Shark Cove, Mi. - As is tradition, the Season Opener (Spring Training) has always been slated for the second Saturday in March.  This year, that would mean March 8 and the Commissioner of Cycling has determined that date will not work for two important reasons.  First, with the onslaught of several Polar Vortex experiences, the fact that there is still ice and snow on the roads, March 8 would be a bit optimistic to start the season.  However, the second reason may very well be the most important of the two.  Our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, will not be here on March 8 and would not make Opening Day and that just cannot happen, Bunkie!

So, weather permitting, the Season will open for Spring Training on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. - SHARP!

Punxsutawney Phil has assured the Nation of good weather so stand by!

And to all this wanna be Minions, those who are concerned about being in shape or with keeping up with the Nation, well this is the best time to come out and ride!

No one is in shape this time of year and since it is Spring Training, the ride is more mellow as the Nation ramps up to May when riders get into race shape.

So come on out and ride yourself into shape!


Be there!


















Friday, February 14, 2014


LUANN LEAVING THE KLUTCH?
Luanne leaving the Klutch?! Oh, no!

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

THE END OF AN ERA!

HELP US CELEBRATE WITH LUANN ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014!

POLE 2 POLE RACE PUSHED BACK!

Belo News
February 13, 2014

Galesburg, Mi. - The end of an era is about to come to a close for the mighty Minion Nation.  Belo News is sad to report that "The Sweetheart of the Klutch," our very own Minion Master Barista, Luann, has sold the Klutch and will be leaving at the end of February!

Luann helps the Sharkman celebrate his 60th!
After almost 9 years, Luann has decided to sell the Klutch and she will be sorely missed in the Minion Nation, as well as Galesburg.

As regular readers of Belo News are already aware, the Sharkman has had a Saturday morning ride since 1988 with legendary early Minion riders like Bullet Bob and Karl the Kannibal joining him.

Over the years, a number of Minions had come and gone, and one of them was making a trip over from Galesburg to be a part of the ride.  Qman, who was a faithful Minion for a number of years before moving up to Minnesota, and the Sharkman decided to move the start of the ride over to Galesburg when they began to see signs about the Klutch opening there soon!

Sharkman's love of koffee is somewhat legendary and if he ever stopped drinking the elixir, they would need to shut down a couple of koffee growing nations.
Luann celebrating Sharkman's 60th with the Nation!

Sharkman wanted to have a kool koffee shop to go to after the ride to talk cycling.  Where the elite of biking could gather for a great kup of koffee while talking about the ride.  Sharkman had been riding in the Friday night Kalamazoo Bike Club rides from Billy's Bike shop and loved the course, so why not do it on Saturday morning when more people might be able to ride? 

And thus, the Koffee Klutch Tour de Gull was born almost 9 years ago. The Nation was at the Klutch on the first Saturday that Luann opened up and has been there many seasons since.  Luann was always at the door to wave the Nation on at the start of rides, in addition to getting a good count of riders so the koffee would be ready when they returned. 

Luann taking care of her Nation!
Luann was there to greet the Nation and put up with the mass of Minions who took over the Klutch every Saturday morning from March through October.  Luann was quick with a smile, a "Hello sweetie!" and even quicker to fill up your mug with her great koffee. The Klutch became a second home for many a Minion and their families.  Many Minions would come for koffee even if they didn't come for the ride!

The Nation will miss Luann but is also happy for her as she begins a new chapter in her life! Fortunately for the Nation, the new owner will keep the Klutch open and the Nation stands ready to help with that!

Luann always ready to fill up the "Bottomless Kup!"

So the Nation will come together for one last kup of koffee from our favorite Barista, Luann on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.!

And Luann has graciously offered free koffee for the Nation!

So come on out and help the Nation say goodbye to our Luann!

RSVP the Sharkman so we can give a count to Luann!

Be there!



Danimal sticking to the pole!
POLE 2 POLE RACE SET FOR MARCH 1, 2014

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Belo News
February 13, 2014

Gull Lake, Mi. - The Pole 2 Pole has been moved back to March 1, 2014! Race Director Zickman had a schedule conflict and has announced that this famous race needed to get pushed back.

For those of you chomping at the bit to get out and do something, you will get your chance on Saturday, March 1, 2014!  Remember, March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb, so what better way "to come in like a lion" than the Pole 2 Pole Race! 

Here is your big chance to get out of those winter doldrums, Bunkie!

P2P Race Start!

The Nation may remember that this event was cancelled last year due to a lack of ice, but that should not be a problem this year, eh Bunkie?!

For those new to the Nation, this event is held at the Zickman Estate on the east side of Gull Lake.  

You can race on any form of conveyance you wish as long as it doesn't have a motor.  Ski, snow shoe, bike, run, etc.  Contestants race from the flag pole at the Zickman Estate to the flag pole across the lake to flag pole at the Gull Lake Country Club and back.

Foot, Ski, Bike, Snow Shoe......
Start time will be 9:00 a.m.!

A celebration of the race will take place after and the event and will be BYOB!


Watch Belo News for more updates on this race in the coming weeks!








And they're off!



















END OF WINTER PARTY 2014 WITH SPECIAL GUEST MELISSA STOCKWELL; FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH

Okay, enough already.  Are you as sick and tired of winter as we are?  The snow is pretty and all but it is starting to get a bit rediculous.  It's time to take some action.  So, why not start planning for the End of Winter party.  What is the End of Winter Party?  It's just the biggest event on the cycling calendar.  Food, lively beverages, specials and of course, our special guest.  This year the event will be held on Friday, February 28th, 2014 and we are honored to be bringing in Melissa Stockwell and her service dog, Jake.  Melissa (melissastockwell.com) is an Iraq war veteran who lost a leg to a roadside bomb.  She has since gone on to not only overcome her injury but excel in triathlons. She was a 2008 Paralympian and is a 3 time paratriathlon world champion and motivational speaker.  Melissa also started Dare2tri paratriathlon club, a non-profit organization that serves youth, adults and injured service members who have physical disabilities.  Dare2tri prepares the paratriathletes for competition by providing the adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching, and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides. Team Active will be holding a silent auction at the End of Winter party with the proceeds benefiting Dare2tri. Please mark your calendars and come out ready to party and meet Melissa.