THE
SHARKMAN RETURNS FROM THE NORTH!
SOUTHERN ROUTE THIS SATURDAY DUE TO THE GULL LAKE TRI!
SOUTHERN ROUTE THIS SATURDAY DUE TO THE GULL LAKE TRI!
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| Sharkman & Lava Girl rock the Klondike! |
MAP
CHALLENGED MINIONS AT THE TOUR de TAYLOR?
DR.
DAVE ROCKS THE M22 CHALLENGE!
Belo
News
June
24, 2015
Shark
Cove, Mi. - Your intrepid hero, the Sharkman, has returned from
Alaska and the Yukon territory where he is rumoured to have conquered
the North! The man, the myth, the legend rocked the Klondike, mostly
with a demonstration of his drinking and eating skills! He has
lots to tell the Nation! Suffice it to say, he had a freaking BLAST!
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| Sharkman drinks his "Sourtoe Cocktail!" You'll need to ask him about this! |
However,
our hero also returned with one kick ass cold he has been fighting
all week and it can only be hoped he is back to his beloved Nation
this Saturday! The old Shark has stated he will be there to ride or
drink koffee and hopefully both. He will surely be leading a B group
this week that might actually start earlier (we can only see if that
works).
Saturday,
June 27, 2015
Launch
Time – 8:00 A.M. - Sharp!
Due to the Gull Lake Tri, Sharkman will be leading the Nation on his famous "Tour of Central Kalamazoo County" complete with all the sights and sounds of this scenic country. This year, the Nation will pass through the epicenter of the now famous, Earth Quake of 2015! And for this weekend only, Sharkman will only charge $1 to see this, now famous landmark! Is this a great country or what?!?
Be
there!
What
has gone on since our hero left town, you ask?
Belo
News, which never rests from in-depth reporting on the cycling scene,
and in particular, the Nations adventures (or misadventures) received
two write ups from investigative reporters this past week, though the
first reporter asked to remain anonymous (reasons will be obvious to
the readers of the story).
MAP
CHALLENGED MINIONS AT THE TOUR de TAYLOR?
Belo
News
June
13, 2015
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| The "on time" Minion Nation at the Tour de Taylor! (those not photographed were late!) |
Mattawan,
Mi. - (Note to Belo News): The group agreed not to admit to some of
the following, so the writing skills as an editor will be needed to protect
this Minion's anonymity as the source. And no matter what any other
reporter submits, this report is much more accurate and reliable.
I think they try to protect her reputation since she's the sweetheart
of the peloton and all.)
She
still reads a map like a girl!
The
power and sway of the Sharkman was evident from the beginning of the
day as the Sweetheart of the Peloton made her driver, Mad Dog drive
all the way to her house to pick her up, where last year, not wanting
to burden our leader, she rode over to the highway to meet Sharkman.
After
being derided for arriving a few minutes early (Sharkman never
complains when Mad Dog is early) and receiving extensive instruction
on how to greet Gazelle Girl's Cujo like dog (not as issue at the
Cove), Mad Dog was quickly wishing Sharkman present and driving.
Ironman
was joining them on the drive over and was a tad bit late (tardiness
seems more rampant when Sharkman is absent) due to an excessive
evening, however, it should be noted he was the only one with the clarity
of mind to remember the group photo.
Only
13 minions made the photo, but the group included a couple more who arrived late.
(more late Minions! Where is Sharkman when you need him?)
The
group headed out on the muggy, misty morning, confident that between
Gazelle Girl's map and the well marked course, an uneventful ride
awaited them. Now no one is sure if the problem was with Gazelle
Girl's map reading skills, or the misting and fogging of the glasses
resulting in a missed marker, or the nation riding without their
leader (probably), but not too long into the ride Easty mentioned the
Nation was heading back into Mattawan. Sure enough, after being
assured by Gazelle Girl to just follow the arrows, the Nation ended
up back at the start after only fifteen or so miles.
Oh
the humanity!
After
some discussion, it was decided to take a short cut over to the first
sag, pick the 100k route back up, not allow Gazelle Girl to navigate
the rest of the day, and not speak of the inability of the Nation to
function without it's leader.
The
nation made it back to the last sag realizing they didn't need to
complete the last loop of the 100k route (which was ridden earlier in
the day) to reach their 100k goal. With Easty's directional
discernment once again on display, he quickly devised a route back to
the start which would allow the Nation to say they completed 100k.
At
the post ride meal it was decided the only ride the Nation is capable
of completing correctly, without their leader, is the KK-TdG.
Editors
Note: Nice write up, completely anonymous reporter! Hopefully the
Sharkman will be back next year to insure punctuality AND direction!
Well done Minions, you made the Nation proud.....well, sort
of........
DR.
DAVE ROCKS THE M22 CHALLENGE!
Belo
News
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| Dr. Dave Rocks the M22! |
June
13, 2015
Reporter
Dr. Dave
Glen
Arbor, MI. - Options abound for those who choose to be active on the
2nd Saturday of June in Michigan. The Tour de Taylor, Michigan
Mountain Mayhem, North Country Trail relay and of course the M22
Challenge.
Close to 900 participants this year enjoyed a scenic run, bike, kayak totaling 22 miles on and around Big and Little Glenn Lakes.
The event begins with a quick 2.5 mi trail run that includes the main dune climb at Sleeping Bear. Word to the wise - pretend to be special and go with the first wave rather than the 4th or 5th as age would have it.
From the transition area riders pedal 17 miles Clockwise around Big and Little Glenn lakes. Passing through the heart of Glenn Arbor before heading South and the half mile climb to Inspiration Point. If the dune climb did not separate the wheat from the chaff, here was another opportunity. Road bikes tended to do better than tri bikes in this section, but the descent evened things back out.
49 minutes on the bike completed this leg and it was time to paddle. By this time winds out of the East were raising 1-2 ft chop. Some of the typically fast Epic surf skis had difficulty in
the rougher
conditions. One of the Team Hagerty boys who beat me last year went
swimming. He was able to gather his paddle and life jacket but by
then his boat was blowing away. His misfortune and my wife's
seaworthy 18'6" Wilderness Systems Extreme combined with the
only Inuit blade on course carried me through the chop and surfed me
home to finish the 2.5 mi paddle in approx 24 minutes and first in my
age group.
Total time 1:28:00
19th overall. 1st in the 45-50 age group.
Close to 900 participants this year enjoyed a scenic run, bike, kayak totaling 22 miles on and around Big and Little Glenn Lakes.
The event begins with a quick 2.5 mi trail run that includes the main dune climb at Sleeping Bear. Word to the wise - pretend to be special and go with the first wave rather than the 4th or 5th as age would have it.
From the transition area riders pedal 17 miles Clockwise around Big and Little Glenn lakes. Passing through the heart of Glenn Arbor before heading South and the half mile climb to Inspiration Point. If the dune climb did not separate the wheat from the chaff, here was another opportunity. Road bikes tended to do better than tri bikes in this section, but the descent evened things back out.
49 minutes on the bike completed this leg and it was time to paddle. By this time winds out of the East were raising 1-2 ft chop. Some of the typically fast Epic surf skis had difficulty in
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| Kayak's at the ready! |
Total time 1:28:00
19th overall. 1st in the 45-50 age group.
I
would recommend this destination race to anyone looking for a reason
to visit Leelanau or do a Tri sin swim.
Dr. Dave
Dr. Dave
Editors
Note: Great job, Dr. Dave, you did the Nation proud! Seriously!
Riders
joining the Minion rides acknowledge the inherent risk involved with
bicycle riding and by joining any Minion ride hold harmless any rider
involved.
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