THE NATION ROCKS AT THE TOUR de TAYLOR!

FULL MOON RIDE HUGE SUCCESS!


MINION JERSEY'S ON SALE!


DR. DAVE ROCKS AT M-22 CHALLENGE!


TONY THE TIGER JERSEY DAY THIS SATURDAY!


Belo News
June 14, 2014


Mattawan, Mi. - Though as it goes to press, Belo News is unable to confirm a final number of riders from the Nation that took part in this past weekends Tour de Taylor, it can be reported with some certainty that there were at least 20 Minions in the mix!

The Nation gathers at the start of the TdT!

Many of those Minions rode as a group, with a cool start and a beautiful finish, albeit a bit scattered......


As pre-dawn breaks over the Shark Cove, we find our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, pattering around his abode in his shark slippers, fussing with what to bring along on his big adventure for the day. The old Shark had put the “4 banger” rack on his car and had loaded his bike the night before.


He found himself brewing extra koffee for Mad Dog and Lava Girl and after Mad Dog rode up and was loaded, the two sat back and sipped their kups as they motored to Galesburg to pick up Gazelle Girl how was riding to the Shell Station to meet them.

It was a cool start but a hot finish on Saturday!

Much to Sharkman's chagrin, Gazelle Girl had her koffee with her (who knew?) and after loading her bike on the back, they were off for Mattawan discussing the cool weather and riding past the fire at the Recycling Center in Kazoo right off of 94 near the Airport.


When they arrived at the start, several Minions were already waiting and asking where to line up!


As the Nation gathered at the start, Dave (name to be determined) who is a brand new Minion, mentioned he needed to use the restroom and was not seen again until the finish with another new Minion.


With Kia Pet on the microphone welcoming the Nation and calling everyone out, the press taking photos, and then Kia Pet and Iceman coming over for the photo, and with it being 10 minutes past the posted launch time, Sharkman started the Nation out, forgetting Minions were in the bathroom! Oh, the humanity and a big apology to Dave and Matt who later stated that they knew they had not made the launch time and rode with some others that they knew. Sorry guys!

The Great Dane was in full regalia!

Joining the Nation for the first time was virgin Minion Chewy, who came with his own nick name, which Sharkman loves! Welcome to the mighty Minion Nation, Chewy!

The Nation headed out as Kia Pet announced the launch over the P.A. System. Sharkman immediately noticed that the course seemed down hill, most of the way to Lawton, which had the first rest stops. The Minions, feeling pretty good, did not think they needed to stop at 10 miles and buzzed through downtown Lawton like a fast moving train.


The roads were beautiful and the day slowly warmed as the Nation continued heading west. With virtually no wind, the Nation continued to gather steam and was running in a well moving pace line as the morning moved along.

Zickman had a "Woodie!"

At approximately 25 miles, the Nation rolled into the small burg of Decatur and stopped at the rest stop, where the Nation hit the snack table like a hoard of locust on a field of wheat. Three other Minions, who had started earlier were already at the stop. Cheesehead and the Gazelle Girl got caught up signing autographs and had to be moved along by the old Shark, who worries that if he stops to long he can't get started again. During the rest stop he met a very nice lady to stated she worked with a Minion, none other than Nickhead!


At the rest stop, word started to spread about the “Decatur Hill” and how tough it was. Sharkman started thinking, “this is southern Michigan, how tough can it be?”


As the Nation rode south out of town, they could begin to see the looming peak of the Decatur Hill in the morning mist. As the Nation approached as a tightly packed peloton, the “togetherness” quickly ended as the super steep hill took it's toll and splintered the Nation into small groups gasping for air!


At the summit, the Minions gathered up and tried to find out who was still in the peloton. Here is where Sharkman was struggling to try to keep track of all of his beloved Minions.


The peloton seemed refreshed as they began to head east, towards the finish. Wildman commented later in the day that his Map My Ride had a segment in this section at 27 mph! The train was moving and it was moving fast.

Virgin Minion Chewy! Welcome to the
Nation, Chewy!

The Nation blasted by the next rest stop and were only about 4 or 5 miles from the Lawton Rest stop when a blast came from the back of the peloton. As the Nation pulled to the side of the road, it was learned that Brewman had not only blew out a tube, but apparently his tire had a major split in it that could not be repaired.


After making sure several Minions had Brewmans phone number, the Nation took off for Lawton, getting there in quick order, where the members of the volunteer rest crew determined that due to liability, they could not go out on the course to pick up riders and there was no sag wagon. However, after taking pity on the whiny Minion group, pleading for their fellow Minion, a very nice lady stated she would resign her post as a volunteer and go out and find Brewman and take him back to the finish! After a shout of “Hurray!” from the Nation, two ladies headed out in search of Brewman in a truck with front axle locks on it for bringing back a bike just like Brewmans! Oh, is this a great country or what!


After the rest stop, and with no idea of who was on and who was off the pack, the Nation headed out of Lawton and as they hit the first of many finishing hills, the Nation splintered as the speed picked up.

Minions sign autograph and scarf food at the
rest stop before the "Decatur Hill!"

Sharkman got spit out the back on the climb and lost track of the entire Nation.


However, after climbing the hill, he saw Wildman, Easty and Rosie slowing after a turn to wait for the intrepid hero. Sharkman caught on and thanked the trio for waiting and assured them that he had to be the last of the Minions.


However, there were other Minions back and despite Easty's concern for Minions being left behind, Sharkman was pretty sure he was the last rider........and he was wrong.


Sharkman, remembering the feeling of riding down hill at the start, was now feeling those same hills as they climbed to the finish.


It seemed like a long 10 miles from Lawton to the finish and as the four riders approached the finish they saw Cheese and virgin Minion, Chewy on the side of the road fixing a flat on Chewy's bike.


Sharkman and company finished the course at a 19.7 mph average as the P.A. Announced that the Sharkman had just arrived. Sharkman later learned that the lead group finished at 20.4 mph!

Gazelle Girl, Mad Dog and Sharkman enjoy a post ride
lunch of burgers, dogs, and pasta! Sharkman loved it!

As the riders made it through the finish and grabbed a cold, wet towel to cool off, Sharkman was still insisting he had to be the last Minion in only to learn there were still some Minions out on the course.


At the subsequent Press Conference, Sharkman apologized profusely to those Minions that got left behind and pledged to find a better way to keep track of the Nation of these types of group rides. He was happy to see that Brewman had made it back and had already changed into dry clothes.


After everyone got their gear squared away and put on some dry clothes, they went to take part in the great lunch and to talk about the ride.


This is an OUTSTANDING ride and it is hoped that next year even more of the Nation can take part in it and also, be wearing the new Shark Minion Jersey! Oh, the humanity!

Mad Dog at the Press Conference.

This week will be Tony the Tiger Jersey Day!


So dig out that Tony Jersey (or any Kellogg Jersey) and come on out!


This week the Nation returns to their field of dreams, the KK-TdG!




Saturday, June 21, 2014


Launch time 8:00 A.M. - SHARP!


Be there!



AND NOW A NOTE FROM ICEMAN AND TEAM TAYLOR


Belo New
June 16, 2014

Sharkman,

And what a beautiful morning it was. Crisp, cool, bright and no wind!! Oh the Humanity!!

361 Riders, one broken finger, lots of sunburns, and hopefully all had fun. How about those cold towels post ride!!!

I have no pictures for you, as I was too busy running around trying to keep things rolling.

Just a short note to thank you for organizing your Minion Nation to make an impressive showing at the 2014 Tour de Taylor.

I hope you all enjoyed the course and the food,  sounds like you didn't rest much on the course!....but the stops were there for you.

Through the vineyards and rollers then onto Decatur hill as a target, but after that the course is fast and fun, I heard you guys tore it up.

Minion Nation West, and Tour de Taylor Co-Directors Iceman and Mo-Pink, along with other important helpers from Team Taylor, KiaPet, NickHead, Chains,  and TJ thank you all for helping us keep Taylor's giving spirit alive and paying it forward to others in need!!

We hope to see you all at the 2015 TdT.

If any Minions want a century this weekend,  Saturday several of us are leaving for Harbor fest in South Haven at 630a.m. from Mattawan High School.  Ride out, pig out on pancakes, eggs and sausage, watch a few dragon boat races,  ride home.  Back to the school by 1:00.  Eat again. 

Thank you Minions, Thank you Minions, Thank you Minions.

It's for the kids and families....

Rob

Thank YOU, Iceman and the entire Team Taylor organization for a fantastic morning of riding!


Its for the kids!

MINION JERSEY'S ON SALE NOW!

DON'T WAIT, ORDER DEADLINE JUNE 22, 2014!

Belo News
June 18, 2014

Shark Cove, Mi. - You've heard about it, you've talked about it, you've dreamed about it and now you can own your own Shark Minion Jersey! Yes, it has finally happened! The Shark Minion Jersey is now for sale and each of you have should have received the ordering information, along with a mock up and order forms.

Not only can you purchase a jersey, but you can also buy a baseball cap and T shirt! There is a minimum on the caps and T shirts, so get those orders in now, Bunkie!

Is this a great country or what!?!

Be the first in your neighborhood to own one of these babies! 

Dead line for ordering is June 22 so get off your dorsals, fill out those forms, and get them into Gazelle Girl!


FULL MOON RIDE HAS FANTASTIC TURN OUT!

Belo News

Full Moon and donuts!

June 14, 2014

Battle Creek, Mi. - Did you say “Donuts, Pizza and Beer?!?” Oh, yeah, baby!

Is this a great country or what?!?

Somewhere between 50 and 80 riders took part in the first of what is hoped to be many, Full Moon Ride in Battle Creek on Saturday night after the Tour de Taylor

Wildman and the lovely Gwen!

Ride. A few Minions were in attendance for this gala event, which started after 9 p.m., and with a Battle Creek Bicycle Police escort, rode from the shop in downtown Battle Creek, up the Capital Ave. Hill out to Sweetwater Donuts where the riders each ordered their donut of choice! Oh, yes!

After a photo opportunity, the crowd rode back down the hill, in the dark with lights flashing, to the store where Pizza, Beer and door prizes and a raffle awaited their return!

Sharkman and Lava Girl, Wildman and his lovely wife Gwen, and even Dutch, were all there taking part. The party went late into the evening and the old Shark didn't get back to the cove until almost midnight! Oh, the humanity!

It had been a good day of cycling for our hero, the Sharkman. As he laid his head down on

Sharkman and Lava Girl!

his shark bed, all he could think about was.....say it with us now......”Is this a great country or what?!?”

Yes it is Sharkman, yes it is.......

Riders getting ready to ride for the donuts!

STRYKER GUY ON THE MEND!

Stryker Guy at the Top!

Belo New

June 18, 2014

Gull Lake, Mi. - We are pleased to report that the “Legend of the Peloton” known as Styker Guy is doing well and actually considering getting back on the bike this weekend! Though not with his beloved mighty Nation. Unconfirmed reports state that the cycling master has committed to returning to the peloton in July.

They also report that he is actually hoping to test his legs with a slow ride around the lake after breaking 5 ribs in a crash in Colorado just a week ago.

A source close the Styker Guy revealed that he had stated, “I feel MUCH better, last week I felt like Derek Jeter was using my ribs for working on his swing, now I'm just sore.”

DR. DAVE ROCKS AT THE M-22 CHALLENGE!

Belo News
June 14, 2014
Dr. Dave


Empire, MI. - Imagine, 800 kayaks lying side by side, end to end in rows on the bank of Little Glen Lake in Glen Arbor, Michigan. A few yards away, picture 800 bikes hanging in organized racks just off of M-22. Beyond the bikes the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where 800 athletes hailing from 15 states and countries as far as Switzerland running up the famous “Dune Climb”. What you are picturing is the 6^th annual M-22 Challenge.

The M-22 Challenge is a multi-discipline event that combines running, cycling, and paddling in to a 22-mile race. The Challenge was tarted six years ago by the founders of the popular Michigan brand “M-22.” The Race consists of a 2.5 mile run including the world famous Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, a 17 mile bike on the gorgeous roads around Little and Big Glen Lakes with an invigorating climb up Inspiration Point and a 2.5 mile open water kayak on Little Glen Lake.

This is a race more Minions could sink their teeth into. Those who are up for a triathlon without the swim will be right at home.

The Minions own Brewman has met the Challenge previous years. He inspired yours truly to look into this endeavor and I am very glad I was fortunate to get my registration in before it filled. This thing fills as quick as "The Iceman."

796 racers finished this years event. Jeff Smoke from the 2004 US Olympic Kayak team "smoked" the course to take his third victory in four years.

His Epic surf ski sliced the glassy calm waters of Little Glen for a mere 17: 57 on the 2.5 mile course. He also put in the fastest bike time on this no drafting course with a time of 43:01. A very respectable 23.7 MPH average. Lets just say he could run too. I knew he was serious when I watched him put a sock and a protective cover on his 21 foot Epic Surf ski after the race.

Dr. Dave wielding the only Inuit blade on the beach.

Forget the swim.... Give me a kayak!

We gave the Traverse City boys a run for their money.

Glad to report I was able to put the Minions and Pedal Bicycle on the podium!

Third of 53 in the 45 - 49 yo mens age group with a time of1:32;50.

21 st place overall.

Dr. Dave on the podium!

Is anyone intrigued? It was a great time, in an awesome setting. Done racing by10:00 with plenty more time to ride and enjoy the area for the rest of the weekend.

Keep it in mind!

Dr Dave

Riders joining the Minion rides acknowledge the inherent risk involved with bicycle riding and by joining any Minion ride hold harmless any rider involved.