WAM
JERSEY DAY HUGE SUCCESS!
41
RIDERS! OH, THE HUMANITY!
 |
| The Nation pass the Klutch in strength! |
RAINMAN
TAKES IT GOING AWAY!
SKITTLES
TO THE RESCUE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SWEET HEART OF THE PELOTON! OH, AND TO RAINMAN TOO.......
UPCOMING
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IN THE NATION!
Belo
News
June
6, 2015
Shark
Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke crisp and cool over the Shark Cove, we find
our intrepid hero fussing over his wide haberdashery of Team
Taylor/Wam Jersey's, trying to determine which one he will look best
wearing on this very special jersey day. Of course, as his loyal
Minion Nation is fully aware, he looks damn good in all of them, but
he is a fussy Shark, to
say the least. After all, one of the well
known credo's of the Nation is “if you can't be good, look good!”
And the old Shark wants to look good!
 |
| Almost all the riders with WAM/Team Taylor/ Eaton Jerseys. Couldn't fit them all in! |
His
first Saturday text was from Mad Dog stating he would see his hero on
the roads, so Sharkman pulled on his arm warmers, got his bike ready
and as he launched noticed Rainman's garage door open. Rain had not
been forecasted until at least Sunday afternoon, so it was a sure bet
the young Minion would be along for the ride!
As
Sharkman waited, Nikeboy rode up and the three headed to the start.
As
they crossed Helmer, they saw Mad Dog approach and he mentioned that
there was a rider coming up from behind the threesome. Thinking it
was Reb, the group slowed to allow
the rider to latch on. However,
it was not Reb but a Tri rider, dressed in sleeveless “tri”
jersey that, to the four Minions, looked a bit chilly. Apparently he
was training for a tri, as he said “good morning....” and rode on
past the four Minions.
 |
| Minions everywhere! They just kept coming! |
The
start was abuzz with activity as the four rode in. Riders just kept piling in as singles but also in large groups like the Gull Lake
contingent, followed by quite a crew from Team Taylor who were
bringing several “virgin Minions” to the ride! Even “the
Promise” was there without promising to be there!
 |
| An assortment of WAM jersey's! Dragon fly in one from last year! |
In
the mix of Team Taylor virgins were, TJ Seiwert (aka MC Slammer),
Matt Gunderson (aka Sparkles) and Meg Zapalowski (now known as
Zippy's Wench which Iceman just made up – hey, it's better
than some of the names Team Taylor suggested!). Welcome to the
mighty Minion Nation, Minion virgins!
Though
Sharkman asked Minions to let him know should Gazelle Girl ride in
behind him, they once again missed her entrance as she approached the
start with Toesetter, riding in with the warm, rising sun at her back.
Belo
News did it's best to get photos of new and virgin Minions as they
came in, as well as some returning Minions, but there were just too
many riders to keep up!
After
the WAM jersey riders posed for photos, which Ranger Rick was kind
enough to take, Sharkman acknowledged Team Taylor and the Eaton's
Teams involvement in the ride, as well as the upcoming Tour de Taylor
next weekend.
 |
| Virgin Minion Zippy's Wench! |
After
some safety instructions (as the Nation knows, Sharkman frets over
safety and large crowds!) Sharkman lead the Nation out and gave up
attempting to take a count, knowing other riders might jump on
anytime before and even after the first sprint.
B-Rod
led the Sharkman out for the first part of the run up to the first
sprint and then Ranger Rick took over. After taking the speed up,
Ranger Rick started to pull aside and Sharkman told him he had to
pull the whole way if he wanted to get his name in the blog!
Sharkman
took the sprint with Toesetter breathing down his dorsal in support
of our hero's effort.
Sharkman
took the “Official Count” at the first G. Ave crossing and the
number was 41! Oh, the humanity! Belo News could not confirm rumors
that other riders joined on after the Official Count was taken,
however suffice it to say, it was a major turnout and close to a
record!
 |
| Another virgin Minion, but we don't know which on he is! |
At
the G. Ave crossing, Gazelle Girl decided to take off her jacket to
remove the sleeves to make it into a vest. She suggested that
Sharkman hold the Nation but it was too late as they began crossing
and the old Shark started counting. Sharkman waited with Gazelle Girl
before launching after the peloton had left and the two had to fight to get
back on the tail end of the fast moving train.
The
two did catch on at the base of the Col de Twin Lakes, but then had
to struggle to get up the hill after their chase effort.
The
nation came together at the top, where Mad Dog made a breakaway to
take the sprint.
With
the large number of riders, the speed picked up considerably in the
Kountry Klub section with two of the Team Taylor riders leading
through Kellogg Korner and then Airman and Sharkman taking over for a
while. At the turn after the Kountry Klub the speed picked up again
and a cast of thousands came around to contest the sprint where Mad
Dog and Skittles in the grips of an epic battle that saw them cross
the finish sprint too close to call (at least from where Sharkman
was!)!
 |
| Yet another unknown virgin Minion! They were everywhere! |
At
the top of the Rt. 43 sprint, Sharkman noticed a new Minion and welcomed him
to the Nation. It turned out that he had was from Australia and was
in town doing work for General Motors for a couple of weeks and
learned of the ride from Dreamboat! So, amongst the Minions was an
International Celebrity Rider who was quickly named “Croc!” Yeah,
the Nation isn't very original at times though it may have been due
to oxygen depletion after the Rt. 43 sprint......
The
nation rode under the “Caution Flag” on Rt. 43 to the Col de
Norte, where again, the Nation was great about staying to the right.
Sharkman
made sure (as best he could) that everyone was on and/or accounted
for and gave the go ahead. With so many Team Taylor Jersey's and riders it was hard to know who was and who wasn't still there! He then entered a discussion about his
upcoming trip to Alaska with Tow Truck and before he knew it, he was
a bit off the back. Again, he had to ride his little dorsal off to
get back on the train! It ain't easy being responsible for the
Nation!
 |
| B-Rod in his WAM jersey with neon green socks! Oh, the humanity! |
The
Nation rode through the Holy Rollers, Frona's Feed Station and on to
the Inlet and across the Digital Divide.
The
Nation formed up several pace lines as they moved down to the GGG
Sprint Spot. A group of Minions took Gazelle Girl to the front early
with many Minions shouting, “don't get her too excited to fast!”
However,
just before things really picked up, Dreamboat came by with a group
behind him, including Zippy's Wench and it was moving fast. On the
inside, Yeti Boy and others hit some errant rocks, causing Yeti Boy to have a blow
out, and slowing the group that included Gazelle Girl. She hates being stopped in mid effort!
Meanwhile,
Dreamboat and some of the Team Taylor riders took Zippy's Wench to
the take the sprint!
Luckily,
the Nation had Team Active Mechanic, Skittles in the mix and he made
very quick work of Yeti Boy's tire as the Nation waited at the GGG
crossing. It gave Sharkman time to make, yet another appeal to the Nation to
be safe on the finish.
 |
| Wildman and the Great Dane showing off their Eaton WAM Jerseys! |
As
the fast moving train headed south, Sharkman was fretting again about
the group. This week the Nation was so fast from the get go that
Sharkman was unable to ride up to the front to caution everyone. Mad
Dog, throwing himself on his sword, went forward and stretched out
the peloton as everyone held on as best they could.
As
the Nation crested the final hill before the finishing sprint,
Rainman took a flyer and shot from the peloton with two Team Taylor
riders responding to the attack!
Rainman fought to hold off the counter attack to take the tape and
because there were
so many Team Taylor Jersey's, it could not be
determined who the second and third place finisher were, other than they Team Taylor riders!
 |
| Style Guy, Squeaky with his two different colored and kinds of gloves and, multi colored shoes! The man Rocks! |
So
Sharkman declared himself the second and third place finisher! Is
this a great country or what?!? Hey, he had a Team Taylor Jersey on!
As
the Nation slowed down and headed towards the Champs le Galesburg,
Sharkman had yet, another flat rear tire. Again, Skittles was right
there and it was actually fun to watch him change our hero's tire in
less time than it takes for a Minion to down a beer! Which is pretty
damn fast!
Rainman,
feeling good after his win, bought our hero's koffee and celebrity
guests Cloud Girl, Airman and their daughter, Maddie and Tardette
and her and Rainman's daughter Lauren, aka Rain Drop, were in
attendance for Koffee!
Sharkman sat with the International Celebrity
Rider from Australia who had been named Croc and then led the Nation
in a roaring verse of Happy Birthday for the Sweetheart of the
Peloton, Gazelle Girl. After the very moving rendition of the old
favorite, Tardette mentioned it was also Rainman's Birthday, so the
Nation again sang for the day's winner! The Klutch was rocking and
little Maddie took a particular liking to the Pirate (yeah, we know,
hard to figure) who entertained her as her Mom and Dad signed
autographs for the tofosi.
As
Sharkman had stated earlier, “it was a magical day in the kindgom!”
 |
| International Celebrity Rider from Australia, Croc! Welcome to the Nation Croc! |
Thankfully,
the Old Shark had young Rainman to pull him home to the Cove as the
wind came out of the east at a pretty good clip. It was a very good
day, indeed and the Sharkman gave thanks for all of his mighty Nation
as he reflected on a great morning of riding with friends!
Big
thanks to the Team Taylor riders who have come out in numbers this
season, as well as all of the Nation that makes these rides so much
fun. Special thanks to Nikeboy and Hoosier Boy for helping keep
watch over those Minions who fall behind (with this many riders it
can be difficult to keep track of everyone!) and to Skittles for his
amazing mechanical skills! What a mighty Minion Nation!
All
for one and all for the Sharkman!
As
announced on Saturday, Sharkman will be gone for the next two weeks
but the Nation will ride!
 |
| Cloud Girl, Maddie and Airman at the Press Conference! |
Next
Saturday, the Koffee Klutch Tour de Gull is suspended (yes, we
advised Andrew) while the Nation rides the Tour de Taylor! The
Nation should wear their Shark Minion kit and meet near the start
between 7-7:30 a.m. for a group launch!
Hopefully,
someone will get a photo!
Saturday,
June 21, 2015 the Nation returns to the KK-TdG with an 8:00 a.m
launch!
The
Sharkman will not be in attendance (oh, the humanity!) but expects
the Nation to ride safe and watch out for one another!
 |
| Tardette, Lauren (Rain Drop) and the day's winner, Rainman! Tardette was showing no side affects after her Marathon at Traverse City! |
Saturday,
June 28, 2015, the Sharkman returns for the 8:00 a.m. launch! Is this
a great country or what?!?
Be
there!
Good
luck to all the Tour de Taylor riders and be safe!
 |
| The Pirate met his match with Maddie, who made sure he wasn't talking! |
TOUR
de TAYLOR RIDE SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015
RIDE
SAFE, MINIONS!
Belo
News
June
8, 2015
Mattawan,
Mi. - The KK-TdG will be suspended on Saturday, June 13 as the Nation
will be riding the Tour de Taylor in Mattawan, Michigan that day. If
you haven't entered, you need to do so now, though you did miss the
deadline for the cool Tech T Shirt!
Team
Taylor is a huge part of the Nation and we would like to encourage
the Nation to be a part of this ride! Last year the Nation fielded a
pretty good size group and rode the 100K ride as a team. So get your
registration in as soon as possible!
The
Nation will meet between 7-7:30 a.m. at the start to group and take any photos.
Launch at 7:30
a.m. - SHARP!
Register
at: http://www.tourdetaylor.org/
It is for the kids and families!
It is for the kids and families!
Be
there!
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