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| The Nation at the start! |
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MAD DOG?
SHARKMAN GONE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?
OH, THE HUMANITY!
DON'T WAIT! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE TDT!
FINISH THE MEMORIAL RIDE JUNE 7, 2017!
NEW LAUNCH TIME - NEW LAUNCH TIME - NEW LAUNCH TIME!
Belo News
May 13, 2017
Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke bright and a bit warmer, our intrepid hero bounced from his bed wondering who would be riding to the start with him? Mad Dog, again left a message the previous evening stating that he had "stuff" he had to do, followed by a text from Reb stating he had to be a soccer Dad, and Yeti Boy was working, baking break for a fund raiser! Oh, the humanity!
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| Nikeboy in his Strava kit! Does this guy style or what?!? |
Only Nikeboy was left and thinking he had not heard from him, there was a chance he would show!
Like clockwork, at exactly 7:30 - SHARP!, Nikeboy pulled up in style! Wearing his Strava Kit with matching orange shoes and helmet, he was "styl'in!"
The ride over was uneventful, with calm winds and comfortable temps, the two rolled past the Klutch to waves from the Early Morning Koffee Group and were it was later learned, Zyckmann was enjoying a kup with the Early Morning Group and helping the barista figure out the count of riders on the day!
As Nikeboy and Sharkman rode into town they came up behind Brewman and Wishbone riding into the start, where a truck was setting up to sell flowers! The start was jammed with riders, cars, flower trucks, people looking for flowers....it was a mad house!
Sharkman counted approximately 24 riders for the start but several jumped on after the ride started and it is estimated there were 27 riders in attendance for the ride.
To every one's surprise, Stryker Guy was back and brought Bissell Boy, Tow Truck, and Boatman, who was making his season debut, were with him. He was riding a, for lack of a better name, cargo bike for some reason but the legend had returned to the Nation and a might cheer went up at his arrival!
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| "Gazelle Girl!" |
Iceman, of Team Taylor fame was also making his season debut and at one point stated he hadn't been on the bike in some time, though he rode like he was in mid season form.
There was also a virgin Minion named Jeff, here forth known as Gecko (Iceman thought of the name) for the green Landshark bike he was riding! Welcome to the mighty Minion Nation, Gecko! Sharkman had never seen a Landshark Bike and was seen taking photos of the lime green bike.
After welcoming Styker Guy back to the Nation and Gecko, as the newest Minion Virgin, Sharkman led the train out to that beautiful sound of shoes clicking into pedals!
Game on!
As the Nation went by the Klutch, it looked like the Early Morning Koffee Group had left and the riders train was so long it was hard for everyone to get through the intersection in one light change.
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| The Legend, Stryker Guy was back! On a cargo bike, no less....... |
As the train headed north, Sharkman worked the crowd like he was running for political office! Trying to determine if there was an A Group on the morning, he finally waited until the A route split, where a handful of riders turned off while the vast majority of Minions stayed in the B Group.
Gazelle Girl and Toesetter went to the front and led the Nation to just short of the first sprint, where Wildman took over and led our hero out to his honorary win.
At the G Ave. crossing, Sharkman shed his jacket and Gazelle Girl decided to do the same, stating to hole on. Meanwhile, Sharkman got his jacket off and seeing no cars shouted out to go, as Gazelle Girl said wait! Sharkman shouted out to have riders sit up, but Gazelle Girl was set and latched right back on while Sharkman had to hustle to catch back on.
The train headed through the next sprint and the col de Twin Lakes and while waiting for riders at the next sprint point, the A Group was already back on the back of the train and pushing the pace! Oh, the humanity!
It was very quick through the Yorkville Church, Kellogg Korner, the Kountry Klub and on to the Rt. 43 Sprint. At this point Stryker Guy and Bissell Boy dropped off and the riders headed to the col de Norte, where they again gathered up for the assault on the east side of the KK-TdG course.
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| Zyckmann, Gazelle Girl, Wishbone and Toesetter at the start! |
Speeds picked up in the Holy Rollers and into the feed stop at Frona's and at the Digital Divide the Nation sat up for anyone left behind in the torrid pace. Skittles decided to strip some clothing and for a moment was bare chested. Easty commented that perhaps the names of the A & B Group would now be the "skins" and the "shirts." Ha ha!
Fortunately, Nikeboy had the Nation's back, so the train pulled out at full steam into a very comfortable pace line taking speeds up to around 23 mph.
As the GGG Spot loomed, Gazelle Girl, the perennial winner of this sweet spot sprint, was not in a good position to make a move to achieve her reward!
Oh, no!
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| Iceman made his debut, with Easty's welcome back! |
As the Nation bunched up, the momentum was carrying them at light speed! Everyone began looking around for the "Sweetheart of the Peloton" who was around 15 or 16 riders back in the pace line.
As the Nation crossed the GGG Spot Sprint line, Gazelle Girl could be heard from the back shouting, "I got this! I got this!" Of course, she didn't, but was given the sprint anyway. After all, she is the "Sweetheart of the Peloton!" Nice win, Gazelle Girl!
As the final sprint loomed, Gazelle Girl and Toesetter went to the front and put in a strong pull until Wildman, Iceman, Ironman, Bounty Hunter, Brewman, Wishbone and a cast of thousands came around at the base of the ascent to the finish.
Wishbone was almost taken out when a rider came out of his line and it is a good reminder that in the finish sprint, and actually, any sprint, everyone needs to be aware if riders are around them and in their blind spots. Holding lines are important and if a rider needs to come out of their line, they need to make sure there is not a rider in their path. If you are boxed in, you are boxed in and cannot move. It is all a part of sprint finishes and we not only want to keep everyone safe, we really can't afford to take out Wishbone!
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| Dreamboat on his last ride before his Kashi ride across America! |
Back to the finish!......
The fast moving train bore down on the finish and the old Shark was worried as he watched things unfold, as there was a lot of bunching up for the finish!
Wildman swooped to the front with Skittles on his rear wheel and Ironman and Bounty Hunter fighting it out for third place! Ironman and Bounty Hunter were so close, it could not be determined who had taken the third spot on the podium, but Ironman conceded that it was the Team Taylor rider, Bounty Hunter!
Wildman took the tape with Skittles right behind him.
Average Speed was recorded at 19.5 mph!
The Nation sat up like good Shark Minions, so that the paparazzi and tofosi could cheer them all as their hero's rode down the Champs le Galesburg, zipping up their jerseys for the sponsors and on to the press conference at the Klutch.
Wildman, again worked his way to the front, and laid down his credit card for the Koffee!
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| Virgin Minion Jeff, herin known as Gecko! Welcome to the Nation! |
Thanks Wildman! Is this a great country or what?!?
The Klutch was rocking as the a good crowd of Shark Minions took the place over!
Even PJ stopped for koffee! Is this a great country or what!?!
Sharkman headed out to the Shark Cave solo, but was pleased he had a tail wind. As he got to the top of the Galesburg hill, another rider was turning on to Michigan Ave. The rider called out and asked if the old Shark wanted to tag on. It is only assumed that the Shark looked pretty beat up after some 43 miles.
Sharkman said, "Sure!" and the rider took him up to speeds of 23-25 mph! Unfortunately, the rider turned off at 44th Street, but the old Shark was grateful for the fantastic pull part way home!
You won't want to miss this weeks edition, when the weather looks like it might be warmer!
Unfortunately, the Sharkman, will not be on the ride for the next two weeks! He is riding in the Pedal For a Purpose - World Hunger Bike Ride this week, and then will be out in California visiting his Sharklet's for Memorial Day Weekend. But the ride goes on!
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| Gecko's Landshark bike! |
Saturday, May 20, 2017
New launch time - New launch time - New launch time!
Launch Time - 8:00 a.m. - SHARP!
Be there!
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| A gathering of the klan! |
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| Nikeboy taking care of business! Thanks Nikeboy! You rock! |
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| Boatman made his season debut! |
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| The Klutch was rocking! |
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| Wildman, PJ and Dr. Dave checking their electronics? |
DON'T WAIT! SIGN UP FOR THE TDT NOW!
Belo News
Shark Cove, Mi. - Sharkman has just signed up for the TdT and is looking for Shark Minion Nation to follow suit! This has been a yearly event for the Nation, when the KK-TdG is suspended and the Nation rides the 100k (62 mile) route together in our Shark Minion Jersey's. Think of it, .....20-30 Shark Minions in their jerseys riding in a pace line! Oh, the humanity! What about 50-60? Double the humanity!
Don't let the Sharkman ride alone!
So hopefully the Nation can come out in force to assist our friends from Team Taylor for this great cause. More below!
TOUR
DE TAYLOR IS SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017!
Belo
News
April
19, 2017
Mattawan,
Mi. - The date for the Tour de Taylor 2017 has been announced and
here is the information you will need to enter. This has been a great
annual event for the Nation and helps our Team Taylor Minions earn
even more dollars for their Make A Wish ride in July! So let's all
get entered to ride! Here are the details:
Hey
Tour de Taylor Riders!
Saturday,
June 10th.
As
always, we're working hard on creating an even better event this
year. With your feedback and support, we've been able improve on an
already great event. With your help, ALL
net
proceeds will be donated.
Below
are highlights and details.
- Free Lunch catered by Latitude 42
- Soft tee's with new design for 2017
- Beautiful routes with aid stations, including water, Gatorade, snacks and the best volunteers in the area
- Maple Hill Tent City
- Music
Details
Date:
Saturday June 10th, 2017
Location:
Mattawan
Middle School
56720
Murray St Mattawan, MI 49071
Soft
T-Shirts: Free
with registration.
You
must be registered by May 28th
to guarantee a Tour de Taylor 2017 Soft T-Shirt.
Please
refer to link for more event details and updated information.
FINISH THE RIDE/MEMORIAL RIDE
Belo News
May 10, 2017
Galesburg, Mi. - This just came into the Belo News news room! Our own Dot Dot Dash is working on this ride for June 7, 2017. Our own Wishbone is one of those who was injured in this tragic accident, so let's show our support! All the details follow:
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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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