NO
RAIN FOR BARRY-ROUBAIX!
 |
| Yeti Boy, Brewman, Zyckmann, Tow Truck & Sharkman. After Tow Truck arrived |
SHARKMAN BUYS?
FORT
RIDE THIS WEEKEND!
IN
LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY NOVEMBER 7, 2015
Belo
News
October
28, 2015
Shark
Cove, Mi. - As our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, shuffled out of his
shark bed in the dark, he was filled with doubt as he faced the day
riding Barry-Roubaix. Our hero has not had a mile-filled fall and was
a bit concerned he would have trouble keeping up with the Nation on
the hills of the famous gravel road route.
After
loading up his cross bike (Sharkman felt he had a better chance of
keeping up on the lighter bike) he headed over to Yeti Boy's house to
pick him up. Yeti Boy, on the other hand, has been training for the
Iceman and seems to be in fantastic shape for the event. As Reb says,
“Yeti Boy is about to be unleashed on the 65-69 age group!”
Sharkman
miscalculated the time it took to get to the Hastings K-Mart parking
lot, but it allowed for the two riders to use the restroom and check
out the Blue Light Specials on men's underwear.
 |
| The selfie before they almost left without Tow Truck! Oh, the humanity! |
As
they got their steeds ready, Zyckmann then Brewman pulled in and
unloaded their cross bikes. Since these were the only riders who had
RSVPed, Sharkman shot a selfie of the crew.
The
Nation thought they might launch early but Sharkman felt they better
wait just in case......
Just
then, Tow Truck pulled in. Sharkman follows Tow Truck on Instagram
and thought he was in Guatemala and asked him about it. Tow Truck
stated he wouldn't want to miss this ride and got back the previous
evening, winning the award for coming the furthest for the ride! He
also pulled out a cross bike!
Sharkman
opted to put his fenders on, though the rain had stopped.
The
riders took off and Sharkman had forgotten how difficult and
intimidating Three Sisters can be! Oh, the humanity!
As
Yeti Boy stated last year, riding Barry-Roubaix is like the movie
'Groundhog Day.' After each hill, there is another just like it
waiting for you and your weary legs.
The
five Minions delighted in the great weather. Warm and no rain! The
sand and gravel roads were firm from the overnight rain but not too
wet, making for a great ride. Sharkman struggled to stay on and the
Nation watched out for him at each hill. The group managed to finish
with a 14.1 mph average with over 2,200 ft. of climbing! Is this a
great country or what?!?
Tow
Truck had to head home at the end of the ride, but the rest of the
Nation headed to The Walldorff where, once again, the beer and food
was great but the service was, for lack of a better word,
wanting.....
After
ordering beers at the bar, where the bartender/waitress seemed
friendly, the riders sat down and were given menus. After what seemed
to be an inordinate amount of time, Zyckmann went to the bar to ask
if the group could order, to which the bartender/waitress commented
she would get to us when she could. Wait, there was only one other
person in the bar at the time....
Fortunately,
the food was out fairly quick and was quite good, but the planning
committee for next year's ride is considering the bar just down the
street for next year.
To
everyone's surprise, Sharkman picked up the tab for Yeti Boy,
Zyckmann and Brewman! Is this a great country or what?!?
Well,
there were only four riders........
 |
| Shocked Minions when they realized Sharkman had picke up the tab! |
It
was a great ride, but the season isn't over yet!
This
Saturday the Nation goes back to the old fall schedule for one week
only, so Minions won't want to miss this ride!
Saturday,
October 31, 2015
Two
start locations!
For
those wanting more miles, the Nation will launch from the Koffee
Klutch at 8:30 a.m. after a kup of koffee with Sharkman.
For
those wanting a few miles, want to sleep in longer, or are puppies,
the Nation will gather at the Trailhead at Fort Custer and launch at
9:00 a.m.
Depending
on the size of the group, the Nation might break into smaller
numbers, e.g. slow group led by Sharkman, fast group, fat tire group,
etc....
Be
there!
IN
LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY!
 |
| The start area ,with pavilion is circled in red! |
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 7, 2015
Belo
News
November
7, 2015
Augusta,
Mi. - Last year, a number of Minions became disenchanted with the
annual right of autumn, the Iceman, when it turned into the “Mudman,”
and had seemed to become more “corporate” with parking and
logistic issues that made the race less of a year-end party and more
of a huge, money making event. So the Nation has decided to respond
for those who are not doing the Iceman this year with a year-end
event called the “In Lieu of Iceman Ride/Party!”
On
November 7, the same day as Iceman, the Nation will gather at Fort
Custer at 2:00 p.m. for a ride on the trails, and then travel to
Players Grill in Augusta, where spouses or significant others can
join in, for beer and dinner at around 4:00 p.m.
Instead
of the usual trailhead, riders will meet at the pavilion at the west
end of Whitford/Lawler Lake where we will have a roof if the weather
turns on the Nation. Riders may wish to BYO beverage for post-ride
activity before heading over to Players.
It
is important that riders attending, as well as their guests, RSVP by
Wednesday, November 4 so that Players can be advised and insure they
have enough wait staff.
In
edition, there is a distinct possibility that Banjovi might be in
attendance and do a few numbers for the Nation!
Is
this a great country or what?!?
So,
mark your calendars and get your RSVPs in early. Even if you are not
a mountain bike rider, you can join the Nation for dinner and beer at
Players at 4:00 p.m!
Hopefully,
this will be the first of many In Lieu of Iceman Ride/Parties to
come!
IN OTHER NEWS!
Belo News
October 25, 2015
 |
| Stryker Guy, Yeti Boy, Zyckmann & Sharkman! |
Augusta, Mi. - The so called, "Lucky Ones" are still riding the Fort, though sans their leader, Reb, who has to work (making him an "Unlucky One). It was yet another warm (60ish degrees) sunny day at the Fort for Yeti Boy, Zyckmann, Stryker Guy and the Sharkman as they took on the trails. It was so nice, they actually rode all three of the trails, minus the Amusement Park section of the Red as they shifted over to the Green before.
Unfortunately, the Sweetheart of the Peloton, Gazelle Girl was also absent as she is recovering from a major Monday afternoon encounter with a tree knob on the start of the Green Trail. Two weeks ago, as a fellow Lucky One (those who are retired and can ride on a Monday afternoon), she got a bit to close to a narley tree knob that caught her finger, requiring stitches!
 |
| The Lucky Ones! |
Fortunately for Gazelle Girl, Dr. Zyckmann was on site to adminster the first aid! Always good to have a Doctor in the mix!
She is healing and plans to be at the ILOI Ride/Party, but may not be riding. It is reported that the digit injury has not curtailed her ability to lift pints!
Get well soon, Gazelle Girl and see you at the ILOI!
 |
| Gazelle Girls digit! Looks like a job for Toesetter? |
 |
| Nice work Dr. Zyckmann! |
 |
| A little anesthetize? |
