MIGHTY MINION NATION ROCKS BARRY-ROUBAIX!

SHARKMAN SIDELINED WITH FLAT TIRE!

The mighty Minion Nation ready to rock!

VIRGIN MINION BUYS THE BEER!

IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PART THIS SATURDAY!

Belo News

October 29, 2016

Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke slowly over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, was hustling to get things in the sharkvibe to head up to Hastings for the 3^{rd (we think)} Annual Barry-Roubaix Ride/Waldorf lunch. This perennial ride is a favorite of our hero and he was excited to get in the saddle with his Nation!

What a beautiful day to ride!

Having recently done the ride with Yeti Boy and Reb, who handed his sorry dorsal to him, he was a bit concerned about his stamina for the famous hills on this ride. He had ridden his cross bike then and felt that he was not in shape for the hills, so decided to ride his 9er with the lower gearing. However, when he got to the start, he started to regret his choice......

After having been stopped by a train in Battle Creek, and then by the longest lane closure in Sharkman's experience, for road construction on Rt. 37, the Sharkman barely made it to the start on time!

When he pulled in he saw Brewman, Gazelle Girl, Toast, Kid Doster, Leslie (here to fore known as High Yield) and her husband, a Virgin Minion, Tim (Tim even came with his own nickname! Nova!Welcome to the mighty Minion Nation Nova! ), Nut Job (Matt), Ranger Rick and Dr. Dave! And with the exception of Toast, they were all on cross bikes! Oh, the humanity!

After a quick run to the K-Mart restroom, Sharkman took a few photos and the Nation started out a couple of minutes late.

The Nation was riding like a fine
Swiss Watch.

As the Nation pulled out of the station, Sharkman learned this was Toasts first attempt at Barry-Roubaix, so he regaled him with the quote of Yeti Boy when he first rode it. Yeti Boy stated that it was like the movie, “Ground Hog Day” because after you went over one hill, there was another one, just like it, waiting for you....over and over and over again! Toast commented that Sharkman wasn't doing anything to garner his confidence in the ride.

For whatever reason, Sharkman was at the head of the train as it moved out to Cook Road. As he reminded everyone that there was no “first sprint” and began to move back from the lead, his front tire went immediately flat! It was then that he remembered that he had not put any “juice” in the tubeless tire in almost a year! Oh, the humanity!

Immediately, his very loyal Minions volunteered to put a tube in the tire, but Sharkman knew he was done. Sharkman did not want to “break the bead on the seal” as that wheel has been a problem in the past. Since he was only a couple of miles from the start, he decided to walk in, knowing that if he had another flat half way through the ride, there was no alternative. Sharkman is just so damn wise in his years.......

Brewman was enjoying the pace.

Kid Doster quickly stated he'd fix it and it would only take a couple minutes, but Sharkman said no and started walking. As he looked back, he wondered why the Nation had not moved on.....

Moments later they came riding back stating they could not go on without the Sharkman. Deeply moved by this expression of affection...Sharkman ordered them to go on without him and to have fun! Sharkman stated he would come out on the course and get some photos of the Nation in action.

Dejectedly, they took off as the Sharkman walked on......

Dejected Minons as
Sharkman walks away.....

On his walk back, a very nice lady stopped to offer a ride, but Sharkman explained that he was close to the parking lot and though the offer was very kind, he would be fine.

As he got to the parking lot, Toast pulled in and stated that after the first “Sister” he realized the Nation was moving too fast and he didn't want to hold them up. Sharkman knew just how he felt as he loaded his steed up in the Sharkvibe.

The old Shark immediately headed over to Biggby and got himself a tall coffee. Then he headed out to drive the course and didn't come upon the Nation until he got to Gun Lake Road, as they were heading into the Yankee Springs area.

After getting a couple of shots, he drove the course taking photos on the beauty of this western Michigan gem.

After heading back to Hastings and checking out Bob's Gun & Tackle Shop (something Sharkman always wanted to do and it was well worth it) he gassed up the Sharkvibe and headed back to the K-Mart Parking lot to great the nation as they returned.

The Nation headed over to the Waldorf, where Sharkman was first to arrive and quickly grabbed a table as the nation started to pour in. The bar area was full, with everyone watching the Michigan/MSU game, but the service was outstanding (yes, you heard that right!)!

Nut Job and Sharkman talked of mutual friends at Kellogg and Sharkman's Irish heritage, while Sharkman also learned that High Yield went to the same elementary school he did in Glenview, Illinois!

Heck, who even knew Sharkman went to elementary school!??

Everyone got to know Nova a little better and he immediately garnered their love and admiration when the bill came and they found out he had purchased the first round for everyone! Is this a great country or what!?! Thanks Nova! You rock!

So, you won't want to miss the last ride of the season and the post party this weekend! Sharkman has his tire fixed and is ready to rock!

The Nation sits down to break bread.
Well, that and have a few beers!

Be there!

Virgin Minion Nova with really
cool Barry-Roubaix T shirt!
Thanks for the beer Nova!

Nova and High Yield, who went
to the same elementary school
our intrepid hero wen to!

Sharkman and the "Sweetheart of
the Peloton," Gazelle Girl!

Welcome back to the mighty
Minion Nation, Nut Job!

IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY THIS SATURDAY!

Belo News

November 2, 2016

Augusta, Mi. - That's right Bunkie! This weekend is the ILOI Ride/Party out at Fort Custer.

Even if you don't mountain bike, you can still take part in the get together at Players in Augusta after the ride!

Significant others are also invited to help us celebrate, yet another fantastic bike season!

Is this a great country or what?!?

The Nation will meet at the trail head at Ft. Custer for a 2 P.M. Launch.

After the ride, and any post BYO beverages at the trail head, the riders will head over to Players at about 4 p.m.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Launch time at the Ft. Custer Trail Head – 2:00 p.m. - SHARP!

Meet at Players in Augusta for dinner at 4:00 p.m. - SHARP!

Be there!

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