EASTY ON FIRE!

Even Easty's neon yellow knee warmers were on fire!

STROKER EDGES S.O.S. AT FINISH!

BROMAN RETURNS TO THE NATION!

DREAMBOAT PULLING OUT OF THE HARBOR!

BREAD PARTY THIS SATURDAY!

RETIREE'S LUNCH COMING UP!

GAZELLE SPORT MIGHTY MINION NATION NIGHT! 


Belo News
September 16, 2017

Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke bright, and not as cool, over the Shark Cove, we find our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, ready to ride! After all, he had an extra half hour to sleep and to get ready as the start time had been moved back a bit earlier this year due to the cold Saturday's and loss of light!

Clothes selection was much easier on this fine morning and the Sharkman only needed some arm warmers to compliment his kit for the day.

Yeti Boy was ready as the old Shark launched from the Cove (no Mad Dog.....what in the hell happened to Mad Dog?).

The two riders picked up the flashing light of Reb as he met them on Watkins for the ride over to the start.

Once again, there was no one at the start as the three riders approached the front parking lot of the school.

However, Easty pulled in, as well as Rocket Man and Chad, now known as S.O.S.

A few minutes later, Gazelle Girl came sliding in to a very small, "Gazelle Girl!" Well, there weren't many Minions there! Where is everyone?!?

She was sporting a new "sticker" that Toesetter got for her and mounted on her bike without her even knowing. What a sweetheart, that Toesetter, she thought! Well, until she saw what it said......see photo below.

Broman returned to the peloton after a long hiatus and was ready to ride.

Stroker pulled in a short time later filling out the starting group.

Gazelle Girls butt, oh and the new name
for her bike courtesy of Tows Setter!

After a few photos and autographs, the Nation pulled out of the station at exactly 8:30 a.m. - SHARP!

On their way to the Klutch they picked up Greyhound and then at the Klutch, PJ, Broman's bro, jumped on making it 11 riders on the day.

Reb and Gazelle Girl pulled our intrepid hero until Rocket Man came around and gave him a wheel and a lead out to the first sprint. Sharkman took it at a scorching 22.5 mph! Whoa, what did he have for breakfast!?! He did comment it was the great lead out he got from Reb, Gazelle Girl and Rocket Man.

The ride was very mellow, but fast paced none the less. Yeti Boy and S.O.S. fought out the Col de Twin lakes climb and the pace really picked up in the Kountry Klub section.

Easty sporting his neon yellow
knee warmers. And they
were hot!

Easty, who was sporting his neon yellow knee warmers again, was particularly spunky and took some major pulls from Kellogg Korner to the Kountry Klub and throughout the morning.

As the Nation steamed to the Rt. 43 sprint, Sharkman was near the front when Easty went by and shouted out, "jump on Sharkman, we'll get you the sprint!"

Sharkman responded that he would do the best he could as he grabbed the wheel and dug deep.

Easty was on fire and led our hero out to take the sprint with Yeti Boy nipping at his tail! It was a victory for America and for Easty!

The Nation rode through the Col de Norte, the Holy Rollers and on to the Inlet before gathering up for the Digital Divide crossing and the subsequent pace line.

As all are aware, and for whatever reason, the Nation has always formed up a pace line after the Digital Divide. How this got started has been a mystery, but has seemed not only to have become a tradition, but a great way to work on team work, speed and pace line in general. Sometimes it works and sometimes.....well it just doesn't. On this gloriously sunny and beautiful day, on smooth pavement and under a tunnel of trees, well, it just didn't seem to work until the very end. Riders kept picking up speed, rather than keeping it steady, did not seem to want to slow down in the peel off lane, and generally much slower than normal.

Broman returns!

However, as the Nation reached the curve before the finish, East, a perennial leader on the day, shot out to take Gazelle Girl to capture her coveted GGG Spot Spring easily! Another victory for America and for Easty. The man was smoking in those neon yellow knee warmers!

For the second week in a row, the mighty Minion train moved slowly to the finish. Sharkman, getting concerned about how bunched up it was, went to the front and started to pull as best he could.

Reb came up and took over for a while and then Sharkman again. Where was everyone?

As the Nation crested the final ascent to the finish, a cast of thousands, well more like 9 since Broman and PJ had dropped off, insuring everyone a top ten finish, came around Reb and Sharkman.

It was a fight to the finish as Stroker came out of no where to nip S.O.S. with none other than Easty taking the third spot on the podium! Did we mention Easty was on fire?

It was another victory for America and for Easty! Oh, the humanity! Sharkman took 4th, which usually does not get reported, but hey, it is our intrepid hero, right?

Not sure what Yeti Boy was
talking about, but the discussion
was intense!

The crowds went wild on the Champs le Galesburg as the hero's zipped up their jersey's for the sponsors.

When they arrived at the Klutch, Dreamboat was waiting and had bought koffee for the Nation! Is this a great country or what!?! Thanks Dreamboat!!!

Dreamboat is being transferred to southern California for Kellogg (tough work if you can find it, eh?) and it was his last Saturday in the Nation. He had intended to get up to ride, but couldn't get his sorry young butt out of bed! Oh, the humanity! But he did make it to the Klutch and he will be missed. Particularly by the Klutch, who loved feeding him pancakes, which he put down like nobody's business!

Gazelle Girl debuted a new book that she and Toe Setter had been collaborating on after a conversation he had with our own Wishbone. Apparently, Toesetter makes his own lunches and does so by having a propensity to make "wad" lunches of mac'n cheese, canned vegetables, ground meat and various other items....a big bowl of "stuff" that is quick and offers copious leftovers. Wishbone exclaimed to Toesetter, "You should write a Cookbook!" and "walla!" there is one now!

Gazelle Girl was signing books when Toesetter arrived! (See photos of the cover jacket below).

Everyone stayed a bit longer than normal, as it hard to say goodby to Dreamboat. But Sharkman said he wouldn't say goodby, but hope to see you again soon! The Nation will hold a spot in the peloton for Dreamboat! Good luck in the new role and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

So, what about this Saturday?!?

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Launch Time - 8:30 a.m. - SHARP!

Be there!

E' Big Wad Cookbook!

Another great Saturday in the Nation!

SHARK MINION NIGHT AT GAZELLE SPORTS!

IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?!?

Belo News

September 20, 2017

Kalamazoo, Mi. - Have you put your RSVP in yet? What are you waiting for Bunkie! Don't you want to be one of "the in people?"

Do you like Gazelle Sports? Do you like getting a deal? Well this is for you, Bunkie!

Gazelle Sports is planning a Shark Minion Night on Thursday, September 28 from 5-8 at Gazelle Sports on Burdick in Kalamazoo. There will be food and drink (beer, hard cider, wine, pop and some appetizers). Minions will receive a discount on anything they purchase that evening.  Our own Nikeboy has been working with Gazelle Sports on the event and he will be inviting others.  

There is a rumor that the Nation will migrate from Gazelle Sports some time around 7:30-8:00 p.m. down to Central City Tap House for a nightcap!

Right now the guest list is looking like the royals of Miniondom so don't wait, get your reservation in NOW! Sharkman and Lava Girl, Mr. and Mrs. Yeti Boy, Gazelle Girl, and more! Don't wait! 

Anyone who is anyone in the cycling world will be there! Be part of the "in" crowd! Well, as much as being a Minion can be "in" anyway!

Previously, RSVP's were supposed to go only to Nikeboy who had to set a date of 9/1 due to his travel. 

However, Gazelle Girl has volunteered to take reservations up until 9/25! Is this a great country or what?!?

But don't wait! 

Oh, the humanity! This is a great country!

Get your reservations in to Gazelle Girl ASAP at joan.o@comcast.net 

So get those RSVP's in to Gazelle Girl ASAP, Bunkie!

SHARK MINIONS INVITED TO THE BREAD

LOVERS PARTY/FUND RAISER!

Belo News

September 23, 2017

Yeti Boy's famous brick fired oven!
Oh, the humanity!

Breadman Estate, Mi. - In some circles Yeti is known as The Bread Man.  Over 7 years ago he built an outdoor wood fired oven and has been cranking out Aritsan Bread and Pizzas for friends and neighbors.  Once a year he and Nancy host a giant party in his yard to celebrate the coming of Fat Tire season and a another year of successful baking.  Bread, cheese, meat, pizza and beer, yes beer, make up the menu.  This year an added attraction is BanJovi with the standard headliners.  This event is a fund raiser for the Calhoun County Trail Alliance.  Proceeds will go to fund maintenance on the trail.  All Minions and family are invited.  Bring nothing except an appetite and a check book!

   63 West Minges, Battle Creek, MI, September 23 4 pm.

Parking is tight, so get as close as you can, get your checkbook and come on in for the party!

You must RSVP and don't wait! Email Yeti Boy ASAP at and let him know you're coming: schweitzerdl@gmail.com

RETIREE'S LUNCH RIDE ANNOUNCED!

Belo News

September 26, 2017

Zyckmann Estate, Mi. - It is time for another lunch! You don't have to be retired to take part, Bunkie!

Here are all the details! 

Be there!

Riders joining the Minion rides acknowledge the inherent risk involved with bicycle riding and by joining any Minion ride hold harmless any rider involved.