Early season start?
EARLY....”SOFT”
OPENING DAY?!?
END
OF WINTER FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY!
REAL
OPENING DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016!
OH,
THE HUMANITY!
Belo
News
February
22, 2016
Shark
Cove, Mi. - The Editors here at Belo News would like to apologize for
the lateness of the latest Mid-Winter Edition of Belo News. Belo
News usually likes to get the Mid-Winter Edition out around the end
of January, but due to circumstances, completely within control of
Sharkman hizzelf, the Editors could not meet their own deadline.
So
the Editors humbly apologize as we realize you have all been running
to your computers each morning waiting for the latest edition of Belo
News!
However,
much is happening and Belo News is here to report it now, as late as
that may be!
EARLY
“SOFT” OPENING DAY?!?
 |
| Andrew was on hand to welcome the Nation! |
Belo
News
February
20, 2016
Shark
Cove, Mi. - The texts and emails started up on Thursday! Wildman
started it off with an email to a few suggesting a Saturday ride!
This was followed by some joining on and adding names and even
Gazelle Girl took time from her shishbooming in the U.P. To respond.
Many reported in as “Definite Maybe's” as no one could believe the
weather was going to be as good as predicted.
Excitement
grew as Friday brought warm temperatures, albeit very windy
conditions.
Texts
picked up as Friday wore on.....”Is your “definete a positive!”
appeared on several texts as momentum for Wildman's ride began to
build.
As
dawn broke bright and warm over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero
checked in with Rainman to learn that he would drive our hero to the
start! Sharkman ran up and down the stairs at the Shark Cove,
undecided on what to wear. As he got his cross bike ready, the warmth
of the sun heated his back and he decided he was over dressed. This
happened several times as he inflated tires, adjusted the seat,
loaded his water bottle and got ready for roll with Rainman.
Once
the final kit from his wide haberdashery of cycling attire was
determined, he threw his stead on the back of Rainmans Highlander and
they were off!
 |
| The gathering of the Klutch Klan! |
On
the ride over, the passed Reb, who was on his mountain bike fighting
the west winds. Though Reb was offered a ride and Rainman has his 4
banger on the back, Reb said he was just riding over and back and
would continue on!
As
the duo arrived at the Klutch, they found Brewman, Wildman, and
Ranger Rick getting their bikes ready.
Sharkman,
having had too much koffee, ducked into the Klutch to use the head
and found it had been moved! Holy Andrew, what was going on?!?
Turned
out that Andrew has made some major changes at the Klutch! Must be
all the success after Banjovi brought in the throngs of 2-3 music
lovers!
The Klutch has moved the bathroom up front and expanded the
kitchen! They have also put in a large screen TV! Is this a great
country or what!?!
In
addition to Sharkman and Rainman, riders in attendance were Reb, Mad
Dog, Ranger Rick, Brewman, Wrongway, PJ's Brother (we need to get a
nick name for this guy!) and new Minion, Erick Kane who will now be
known as 3rd
Degree! Welcome to the mighty Minion Nation, 3rd
Degree!
 |
| Brewman in early season form! |
Wildman
wanted to head southwest, into the wind so that the Nation would have
the wind at their back coming in, but Sharkman was concerned that
Gazelle Girl might be attempting to make an “on route entry” to
the ride. So Sharkman called the Triple Nasty Ranchero to see if the
“Sweetheart of the Peloton” was riding on this fine day.
Toesetter
answered the phone and informed the Nation that Gazelle Girl, after
having just arrived from her annual trek to the UP to shishboom,
realized that her bike was in for an overhaul and she couldn't ride!
Oh, the humanity!
So
Wildman circled up the troops and they headed south to Qman hill for
the first and only climb of the day!
Reb
peeled off at the foot of the ascent to head back to the Creek, while
the Nation turned right and began the climb, into the wind, up Qman
hill.
 |
| Sharkman and Ranger Rick, followed by virgin Minion 3rd Degree! |
As
the riders headed south, the wind did not seem to bad and the group
spoke of the warm sun on their backs, while catching up on their
winter activities. Sharkman announced that he was in a very good
mood and that he had suspended fees for all of the sights as it was
“off season.” This brought a cheer from the Nation as they rode
through Hawk Alley and down towards the waterfall, where PJ's brother
(did we mention we need to get this guy a nickname?) and the riders
began to feel more of the wind.
As
the peloton rode past the Railroad House, they could feel the wind
building and then as they turned on “the Road to Nowwhere” they
were hit full force with the gusts.
New
Minion 3rd
Degree, Sharkman and Ranger Rick were conversing and before they knew
it, looked up and found the peloton moving away from them. 3rd
Degree, then Ranger Rick kicked it up a gear to get the group back to
the main peloton in the strong wind.
But
it was all worth it as the Nation turned to head home through Scotts,
which had a lot of lunch time traffic at the coffee shop, and back to
the final downhill into Galesburg and on to the Champs le Galesburg.
Though
the ride was “spirited” and the final down hill a roaring blast
with the wind on their backs, along with the sun, no one seemed too
competitive on a beautiful winter morning! Can it still be
February?!?
There
were no fans on the Champs le Galesburg as no one knew about the
informal, last minute, ride! Oh, the humanity!
 |
| Wildman and Wrongway leading out to the finish! |
As
the riders pulled up to the Klutch, Great Dane was waiting, koffee in
hand. He had ridden his Swiss Army bike over for some koffee with
the Nation and was showing the riders all the great “stuff” that
is a part of this 42 pound bike!
Andrew
was ready with the Bottomless Cups as Mad Dog and Wildman quawfed
down their espresso's.
It
was a fantastic early season opportunity to get out and ride and only
whetted every ones appetite for the real thing in April!
See
you for Opening Day, Saturday, April 2, 2016!
 |
| Our photographer and driver on the morning, Rainman! |
 |
| Great Dane, Sharkman, Wildman, Brewman, Mad Dog, Wrongway and 3rd Degree sipping their Koffee! |
 |
| Sharkman pontificating to Great Dane about something not very important! |
 |
| Great Dane and his Swiss Army Bike! |
END
OF WINTER FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY!
Belo
News
February
23, 2016
Battle
Creek, Mi. - This Saturday is the Team Active End of Winter Festival.
A three day extravaganza of all things bike!
Festivities
begin on Thursday, February 25, 2016 with “Beers & Gears”
from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. With 25% off sale items!
Friday,
February 26, 2016 is the “Wine & Wheels Fashion Show” from 10
a.m. - 8 p.m. With 35% off sale items.
Saturday
is the big day with 45-75% off sale items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With
a FAT FEST from noon to, well, whenever, at Binder Park Golf Course
on B Drive South.
Team
Active and the City have set up a 1.5 mile track for Fat Bike racing
and relay racing in the afternoon!
Is
this a great country or what!???
For
more information go to;
Riders
joining the Minion rides acknowledge the inherent risk involved with
bicycle riding and by joining any Minion ride hold harmless any rider
involved.
