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| The Nation was out in force on Saturday! |
TWENTY SIX BIKES, TWENTY FIVE RIDERS?!?
MORE VIRGIN MINIONS!!!
ANGRY MOTORIST, MINIONS RESPOND!!!
SEEING DOTS?!?
HOOSIER BOY BUYS! OH, THE HUMANITY!
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| "What was I thinking???" |
"CHALK TALK ABOUT SAFETY!!!
MINIONS AT THE DONUT RACE!!!
GALESBURG DAYS THIS SATURDAY!
SHARK MINION JERSEY DAY THIS SATURDAY!!!
Belo News
June 8, 2019
Shark Cove, Mi. - First up, safety "Chalk Talk!"
With the dramatic increase in riders on Saturday, the Sharkman would like to say a few works about safety and courtesy on the KK-TdG.
The Sharkman Hizzelf!
With the dramatic jump in riders this past week, it was somewhat apparent that the Minion Nation had forgotten some of their safety rules, so I would like to go over, just a couple to insure everyone is riding safe.
1. If "Car Back!" is called out, move to the right and get into, no more than 2 abreast as quickly as possible. On several occasions the call went out to move right and riders were extremely slow to do so. By law, riders can ride two abreast, no more. Our friends around Gull Lake are usually pretty patient with us as we can block the road, so it is incumbent upon each of us to make sure we are moving over as quickly as possible. PLEASE MOVE TO THE RIGHT WHEN YOU HEAR "CAR BACK!"
2. When the Nation pulls up to a stop sign, please, immediately get as far to the right as possible. The Nation should not block the intersection and if we are to the right we can wave cars around. Please stay well to the right at the stop signs.
3. I do want to thank the Nation for the patience shown when the angry woman shouted at the Nation when we stopped at G Ave. on the way north. As she told us that we needed to get off the road, no one yelled back or responded in a negative way, which is how the Nation should respond. Nothing is gained by dignifying this type of reaction, with any type of response.
Nuff said!
We now return to our regularly scheduled story......
As dawn broke sunny, but a bit cool over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman was ready to rock it! He had fixed the flat tire on his front Ksyrium wheel and was feeling fast! He also was trying to decide what to wear as he was concerned it was a bit nippy for the ride over, but would warm as the morning wore on.
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| Virgin Minion "Hermster!" |
"Arm warmers" he thought as he also added an base layer to his fine cycle wear!
As the Shark Garage Door lifted, there was Yeti Boy, in short sleeves, complaining he may have under dressed.
As the two riders made there way along Watkins, they picked up Fire, but no Reb. Fire informed the two that Reb was running in the Cereal City 5K and wouldn't be taking part in the real sporting event of the morning......
Other than an inordinate amount of road kill being noticed, particularly a rather large deer in the middle of the road into Galesburg, the jaunt was indistinguishable.
The three noticed Wishbones bike resting against the Klutch as they waved at the early morning group and headed on to the start.
At the Start, Sharkman immediately notice new riders.
First up was Virgin Minion "Hermster!" Sharkman loves it when a Virgin Minion comes with his own name! Second up was another Virgin who had a nick name, "Shooie!" When asked how to spell his name he replied, "any way you want to!!" Welcome to the mighty Shark Minion Nation, Hermster and Shooie!
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| Virgin Minion "Shooie!" |
Riders started piling in like crazy and Sharkman was glad that he had the 15 rider rule. When there are more than 15 riders Belo News is not required to name each rider and Minions will need to distinguish themselves in some way to be mentioned in this publication.
And distinguishing themselves in "some way" was what Easty and Katie did as they came flying in, not only on a tandem, but in matching kit! Is this a great country or what!?!
Either would have been a treat for the Nation, but the kit they were wearing had the Minions "seeing dots!!!
Gazelle Girl snuck in once again, with the sun shining on her shoulder, as Sharkman called for the Nation to line up for the start photo.
After a reminder to stay two abreast through town so Toesetter wouldn't be assaulted in the local Hardware Store, the Nation left the station to the sound of pedals clicking in!
It was a beautiful morning to be in the Nation and all Sharkman could think of was Easty and Katie on the tandem and the lyrics from "City of New Orleans."
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| Easty and Katie in matching kit, on their tandem! |
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| The Nation was seeing dots!!! |
"Riding with the mighty Minion Nation,
Champs le Galesburg, early morning sun,
25 bikes and 26 Minion Riders,
Sharkman smiling, he was ready for some fun!
Good morning America, how are you!
I said, don't you know me, I'm your native son!
I'm the train they call the mighty Minion Nation,
we'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done!"
As the Nation headed north, more riders jumped on. Wildman and Sasquatch went to the front and pulled our hero until Ranger Rick flew by and took Sharkman to his honorary sprint, which he took at 24.1 mph! He was feeling the love on this beautiful morning!
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| Eric the Red, making his season debut! |
The pace seemed quick with the excitement in the peloton and as the Nation moved towards the sprint before the col de Twin Lakes, the "Tandem Team," in a flash of dots, went by the nation like a semi truck out of control and easily took the sprint! From that point on, each of the riders fought to get on the wheel and in the wake of the mighty "Tandem Team" as they sucked riders along!
Sharkman described the experience as "surreal" as he dropped in and out of the dot driven wake from time to time. He hadn't seen a tandem since the famous "Z Train" several years back. Long term Minions may remember the couple from New Zealand who use to ride with the Nation and actually take sprints! Oh, the humanity!
The ride continued past the Yorkville Church, Kellogg Korner (which was pretty clean, has the Skipper been out?), the Kountry Klub section and into the Rt. 43 sprint. Sharkman led out and as the stop ahead came into view, Zyckmann made his move with Skittles on his wheel. In a close battle, Zyckmann edged out the win.
At the top of the col de Norte, Sharkman made sure all were on and began to talk with Bissell Boy about the great crowd and what a great day it was and before he knew it the peloton was gone!
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| I. O. U. Beer was back after a long hiatus! |
Sharkman fought to try to get back on and grabbed every wheel he could that went by, but settled on Dr. Dave as he was riding so smoothly right through the Holy Rollers and on to the feed stop!
Thank you Dr. Dave!
It was during this section that Stroker reported that he could not shift. Oh, the humanity!
At the Feed Stop, Sharkman asked Team Mechanic Skittles, if he could take a look at it. The diagnosis was not good. The shift cable on the rear derailleur had snapped. Skittles jury rigged the derailleur so that Stroker had at least, 2 gears for the hard, slow, return to the Klutch.
The Nation again, took the low road, and then lined up for the traditional pace line after the Digital Divide with Skittles at the front.
As the Minion train passed through the bend near the GGG Spot Sprint, there was Toesetter, bringing his beloved "Sweetheart of the Peloton" to the front. Beard braided and flying in the wind, leading his lady out, it was a thing of beauty as the Nation cheered them on!
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| Wishbone wondering, "Where did all these Minions come from?" |
It was a victory for America, as the Nation roared their approval!
Sharkman gave a brief, "be careful" as the Nation headed south to the final sprint.
Sharkman was worried that without Hossman or Tow Truck, who would stretch out this large group of riders.
Sharkman and Rocketman went to the front to get the train moving but it wasn't long before Skittles moved forward and drove the Nation hard. Skittles took up the speed and spread out the Nation as they ascended the final hill and it was all out after that. Skittles had thrown himself on his sword for the safety of the Nation and it was another well fought final with LK taking the final sprint!
Average Speed - 18.97 mph. Fastest ride of the year.
The Nation was stopped on the Champs le Galesburg by another cycling group heading into town. The paparazzi and the tofosi were a bit confused and no one knew who these riders were, but a few of the Minions were upset that someone was on "Shark" turf and named them the "Jets...." Get it? Sharks, Jets, .......?
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| You can see the "angry ladies" car approaching. |
As the Minions piled into the Klutch, Hoosier Boy was set to buy. And he bought for everyone! EVERYONE!!! Is this a great country or what?!? What was he thinking? It was thought he was thinking not many would stop, but man, was he wrong! The Minions just kept coming in!
Rumor has it he is getting a second mortgage to pay off the debt and has sought counseling.
Thanks Hoosier Boy, you shouldn't have to buy koffee for the rest of the year!
The Klutch was rocking! In addition to the reserved table, another table was procured for the over flow as Hoosier Boy broke out into his biggest sweat of the day! Oh, the humanity!
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| Snowman making his season debut! When did he jump on? |
The paparazzi was clamouring for autographs and photos as the riders quaffed down copious amounts of Bottomless Kups of Koffee! Is this a great country or what!?!
The refills were a bit slow in coming, as Andrew and the team were running around trying to keep up with the mob that just kept coming!
But, all good things must end and Yeti Boy, Fire and Sharkman headed up that dang Eaton hill and back to the Shark Cove.
It was a great morning to be a Minion!
You won't want to miss this week edition, though Sharkman may! It is Lava Girls Birthday and the itinerary for the day is still in question.
But the ride goes on!
Because it is Galesburg Days this Saturday, it will also be SHARK MINION JERSEY DAY!
That's right, Bunkie! Break out the Shark Kit and be ready to ride for the tofosi!
Launch Time - 8:00 a.m. - SHARP!
Be there!
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| Add caption |
MINIONS AT THE DONUT RACE!!!
Belo News
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| They looked sort of happy before the rain....... |
June 9, 2019
Written by Skittles
Martin, Mi. - Dawn broke damp and not so cold over Skittle Castle, The Dirty Donut Ride on his schedule for the day. This event takes place at US131 Motorsports Park and is a multi-distance gravel event where time is deducted for each donut eaten.
Our Hero met up with Echo, Dreamboat, Stryker Guy and Dave/Christina at the start. AND WHO IS THIS?! RAINMAN?! Rainman Riding on a day with a strong chance of Rain?! Who’d have thunk it? This was turning into a mini-Minion Ride.
Numbers were attached to handlebars and the riders, vainly hoping the rain would hold off for the entire sixty-four miles they planned to ride, clipped in and took off. Rainman, Dreamboat Dr. Dave and Dave/Christina decided on a fairly high pace, with Skittles and Echo deciding to take it a bit easier
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| A bunch of Minions ready to rock the Donut Race! |
The day doused in rain, Dirty Donut Ride had become a Mud and Sticky Sand Fest, beautiful in its own way. Our heroes were ensconced in the sights and sounds of falling rain, gravel crunching under tires, lush green grass, turtles and a pair of horses galloping along in their yards, unimpressed farm dogs hanging out in their drive-ways looking on at the lycra-clad riders, the surprisingly loud buzz of a high tension power line in the steady rain.
Closing on the finish with about four miles to go, Skittles decided to test his fitness, he hit the gas to see if he could catch Dave/Christina, which he did, he checked over his shoulder and was stunned to see Dreamboat on his wheel. "This is a race now" he thought to himself and maneuvered to force Dreamboat to lead him out on the next-to-final straight. Skittles smartly sat on
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| Dreamboat was in the mix! |
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| Yep, pretty happy before the rains came.... |
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| As the legend, Stryker Guy said, "This is what you look like with mud and gravel all over you and your bike! |
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| Skittles took his age group, as did Stryker Guy! |
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| Rainman remembering why he doesn't ride in the rain! Oh, the humanity! |
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| More Minions! |
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| Dreamboat loved the race!
Congratulations to all those who finished the Donut Race! You did the Nation proud! And thanks for Skittles for the story and for Skittles and Rainman for the photos! Nice job!
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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