RIDE REPORT?


PHOTOS?

WHEN DOES OUR INTREPID HERO, THE SHARKMAN RETURN!??

THIS SATURDAY IS THE FIFTH ANNUAL "IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY!!!

AND SHARKMAN RETURNS!!!

BE THERE!!!

Belo News
October 26, 2019

Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke cold (very cold) and dark (very dark) over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, was just rustling out of his Shark Bed and swimming his way to the Shark kitchen to fire up the Shark coffee pot.

He wasn't riding that day, as he was still nursing the wounded fin, but was wondering how the Nation was going to handle the later start on the ride this cold, dark morning.

On the previous day, Gazelle Girl put out a text to the "Lucky One's" (a sub group of the mighty Shark Minion Nation) requesting a later launch time due to the predicted 37 degree temps predicted for the designated launch time of 9 a.m.

Several of the "puppy" Minions jumped on the "warmer start" bandwagon, with the legendary Zykmann being the first in, and others followed suit immediately. Wait, don't the Minions ride in the winter when it is regularly in the 30's or colder?

Sharkman, being on the distribution for the Lucky One's, determined that he needed to get a
"Time Change" Update out to the Nation and did so.

So, did anyone ride?.....you ask?

Belo News reached out to Gazelle Girl to determine if anyone had ridden and if there were any photos, and got the following, quickly thrown together but in-depth report......

Ace Reporter: Gazelle Girl

"Yes! Yeti, Zychmannnnn, Stingray, Toesetter and me. I failed to call for a photo and no one else did either :(

It was quite pleasant and we finished before the rain. Yeti had a tailgate party featuring walnut bread and butter for all (Delish!). 

The highlight was a conversation about the intricacies of sexual coupling whilst wearing and indwelling catheter. Is this a great country or what???"

Editors note: Well, that might be more in depth than we needed, but better than nothing.....
Thanks Gazelle Girl for your riveting reporting!



FIFTH ANNUAL IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY THIS SATURDAY!

Belo News
October 30, 2019

Sharkman is back!

Augusta, Mi. - The big day has finally arrived!

This Saturday is the grand finale for the mighty Shark Minion Nation! Well, there will certainly be some informal rides, weather permitting, but this is it on the 31st Shark Minion Season!

The fifth annual "In Lieu of Iceman Ride/Party" will be this Saturday at Fort Custer and you won't want to miss this edition as our intrepid hero, The Sharkman, returns to his beloved Shark Minion Nation.

Remember, all are invited! Even if you do not mountain bike, please join us for dinner at Players in Augusta at 4 p.m. Significant others are also welcome so come on out and enjoy the great beer and food at Players!

Here is the drill!

Launch Time of 2 p.m. a the Trail head at Fort Custer (you are on your own for any post ride refreshments).

The riders will then convene at Players at 4 p.m. for adult beverages and dinner, where significant other will join the group and those road riders and guests who just want to take part in the festivities.

Sharkman looks forward to seeing everyone!

Be there!

SHARK MINIONS INVADE THE FORT!

Bissell Boy and his posse!

SAME DRILL THIS WEEK, BUNKIE!!!

IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2019!

MARK YOU CALENDARS NOW!

Belo News
October 19, 2019

Augusta, Mi.- While our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, slept in nursing his cut up fin, some of the Nation invaded Fort Custer for the annual "Return to Nature!"

Fortunately, Bissell Boy was in attendance and took the time to file the following riveting report on the days ride!

Take it away, Bissell Boy!!!


Reb, Yeti Boy, Gazelle Girl, Toe Setter and I met at the trail head at the appointed time. 

Gazelle Girl gave a briefing that the Green Loop would be closed intermittently over the next two weeks so we decided to give it a go. 

Saturday is a reverse route day and as we rolled out we met up with Dr. Dave and Mike(not sure if he is a minion - Joan knows him?) who had already been out on the trail.

BB hizzelf lead out the group hoping to control the pace, but it was not to be. 20 minutes in the lead was passed to Toe Setter and BB fell off the back a bit gassed. 

In order to catch the group BB took a short cut to catch the group,..... and his breath. 

Reb circled back fearing BB had crashed and heeding the creed “no minion left behind,” and lost the group for a bit. The group regathered and over the stream and through the woods we went. 

Shark Minions ready to rock the Fort!

The last sighting BB had of the group was Dr. Dave making a left on the Reverse Red just across form the Amusement Park.

Needing to get home, BB pedaled the red/yellow/ red back to the parking lot.

That’s all I have hopefully someone else will chime in. Edit at will.

Off to Oregon to see my Dad next weekend then NYC to visit Jack the following weekend so see you after that.

Heal up, 

BB

Thanks BB for coming through with this great report of the first "Official" Mountain Bike ride of the year.....and it isn't the last! BUT WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS? The Nation loves to see there mugs in print!!!

This Saturday the mighty Shark Minion Nation will do it again! And who will write the report this week?!?

Same drill, Bunkie!!!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Launch Time from the Trail Head - 9:00 a.m. - SHARP!

BE THERE!

IN LIEU OF ICEMAN RIDE/PARTY ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2019!

MARK YOU CALENDARS NOW!

SHARKMAN RETURNS!!!

Belo News
October 23, 2019

Shark Cove, Mi. - Don't forget that the end of year extravaganza, known as the "In Lieu of Iceman Ride/Party will be on the the first Saturday of November, which is;

November 2, 2019

This annual event included a ride at 2 p.m. at the Fort for those Shark Minions who mountain bike.

You are welcome to bring your own refreshments.


The Shark Nation will then meet up at Players in Augusta for dinner and adult beverages. Road only Shark Minions and significant others, are invited to attend this annual event that marks the close of Sharkman having to write this blog until next season.....wait.....did I just say that out loud?!?

Who are we kidding?! Sharkman loves his mighty Shark Minion Nation and wants to party!!!

Oh, the humanity!

So, once again, 2 p.m. launch at the Trail Head and 4 p.m. at Players in August for ALL Minions and significant others!

Sharkman plans to make hiz return to his beloved Shark Nation for this ride so.........

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.

SPECIAL EDITION!

THE MIGHTY SHARK MINION NATION WELCOMES,

THE KRAKEN!

NEW EDITION TO THE SASQUATCH FAMILY IS FINALLY HERE!

Belo News
October 17, 2019

Shark Cove, Mi. - While preparing this morning's issue of Belo News, our editors kept thinking, ...."We're forgetting something, ....but what?!?"

Of course, our main Editor is 70 now and can hopefully be forgiven for his forgetfulness, right?

Yes, our Editor forgot the most important story of the day, yesterday!!!

Belo News is pleased to announce a New Shark Minion has joined the mighty Shark Minion Nation!

Born on October 2, (2 days before our intrepid hero, the Sharkman's birthday) to Mr. & Mrs. Sasquatch, we introduce The Kraken!!!

From Sasquatch hizzelf......

Hi Shark,

The Long awaited newest Minion is finally here. 

Well actually he was born on October 2nd. Like with our first (Loch Ness), this one comes with a nickname too. He is "the Kraken." Everyone is doing well and Mom and Dad are adjusting to having a two year old toddler and a newborn.

See everyone next season!

Sasquatch

Thanks Sasquatch and congratulations to you and Mrs. Sasquatch! You'll have your hands full for a while, but we expect to see you next season if not sooner!

The mighty Shark Minion Nation sends it's love and congratulations to the Sasquatch Family!

God bless!

Attachments area

IRONMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO BREWMAN!!!

DEAD TIE FOR THE FINAL SPRINT!!!

Brewman and PNG, aka Hoosier Boy!

AND, THE COLD ASS AWARD GOES TO........

WEEKDAY BARRY-ROUBAIX ON OCTOBER 23?

SHARKMAN ON INJURED RESERVED LIST???

OH, THE HUMANITY!

Belo News
October 12, 2019

Galesburg, Mi. - What has happened to the mighty Shark Minion Nation season?

First, Wildman wimps out of leading, only to be replaced by Gazelle Girl (who can always be counted on.....well.....almost) and 4 other riders in Sharkman's absence the first week......

Then, ......no Gazelle Girl the second week!?!

Wait? What????

But none of this stopped two intrepid Minions from braving the 38 degree temps and heading out this past Saturday to keep the Nation's streak going!

Not only that, but they did a write up!  With a photo!!

Take it away, special reporter Hoosier Boy, or should we say, PNG!!!.....


Special edition of Belo News:
By Ace Reporter, PNG

Editors note:  Since Hoosier Boy won the Sharkman sprint and the G spot sprint, he will hereinafter be referred to as “persona non grata” or PNG for short.

It was a cold day to ride. 

Brewman waited alone in his car staying warm on a day when the temperature was hovering around 38 degrees. He silently hoped that no one would show up so he could go back home and get back in bed. 

Alas, at 8:25 PNG showed up ready to ride. 

The two minions rode off waiving to Andrew as they passed the Klutch.  While the temp never moved north of 40 degrees, the riders warmed up and completed the ride in record time. 

Year end awards were decided as the minions rode thru downtown Galesburg at the end of the ride:

Participation awards (for showing up) - Brewman and PNG

Iron man award (for most rides this year) - Brewman

Final sprint of the final ride:  First and second - Brewman and PNG in a dead heat

Cold my ass award - all you losers who remained snuggled under the covers on Saturday morning

(Editors Note - Thanks PNG for a riveting write up on the frosty ride! You and Brewman are proof of how tough the mighty Minion Nation is (well, some of them....).

Hope to see you both as mountain bike season ramps up!!!

WEEKDAY BARRY-ROUBAIX ON OCTOBER 23?

Belo News
October 16, 2019

Triple Nasty Ranchero, Mi. - Don't forget a special "weekday" edition of Belo News with Gazelle Girl is coming up next week! That's right Bunkie, Barry-Roubaix because we couldn't fit it in this on a Saturday this year with the other activities going on!

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 Barry-Roubaix Ride with Gazelle Girl and Nutjob!

Anyone interested can contact Gazelle Girl 665-4555 / joan.o@comcast.net OR simply show up behind the Walldorff in the Parking lot for a 2 p.m. - SHARP! LAUNCH!

BE THERE!

SHARKMAN ON INJURED RESERVE LIST???

OH, THE HUMANITY!

Belo News
October 16, 2019

Shark Cove, Mi. - Our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, and his lovely bride, Lava Girl, have returned from the "Sharkman 70th Birthday Tour" and their trip to the "Lost Coast of California!"

What a whirlwind trip it was! And not without some drama!??

Drama, you say?

First of all, Sharkman's daughters and Sharklets put on an "over the top!" Birthday Celebration for our hero. We call it a celebration because party doesn't cover it!

It isn't everyday that a legend turns 70, but wow, this was one heck of a 4 day Birthday Celebration!!!

The people at Top Golf sining Happy Birthday
to Sharkman his Sharklets!

The reporters from Belo News are completely worn out from all the festivities, special surprises, dinners and games that made this one heck of a Sharkman weekend!

Sharkman's daughters, Nicole and Colleen, put on a great show for the weekend and Sharkman was completely humbled by his families show of affection!

They ROCKED IT! as the photos show!!!

The Sharklet's even got dressed up and put on ties for their dinner at a Russian Restaurant!

Is this a great country or what?!?

Colleen and Nicole!

After a weekend of eating, drinking, hitting golf balls, eating numerous birthday cakes, sitting in the hot tub and swimming in the pool, Sharkman and Lava Girl were set to head out on their trip to the "Lost Coast" of California!

On Monday morning, Sharkman decided he needed to remove the snow basket's from Lava Girls hiking sticks, as they would be hiking, but not hiking in snow! But he could not get them off the sticks and decided to try to cut them off.

The Shark Family!

After getting the first one off, he started on the second and that is when it happened.

Our hero managed to cut through the basket and into his left hand! Oh, the humanity!

Sharkman's daughter, Colleen, no stranger to medical emergencies, flew into action and got our hero to the Emergency Room in record time!

The Doctor was great and after 2 1/2 hours, 4 internal and 11 external stitches, our hero was finally on his way to the Lost Coast!!!

Our hero, the Sharkman, in the
Emergency Room!

Wow, that is one honker bandage!

Injury does not stop Sharkman
From hoisting a cool one
in Shelter Cove!

Lava Girl and Sharkman enjoying a drink
on the balcony of their room in
Shelter Cove.

Sunset from our Shelter Cove balcony!

Unfortunately, this might put our hero out of action for the next couple of weeks, but the ride will go on at Fort Custer!

Is this a great country or what?!?

That's right, Bunkie!

This Saturday the mighty Shark Minion Nation moves to Fort Custer for some mountain Biking!

The next two Saturdays, the Nation will meet at the Trail Head at 9 a.m. to ride. Sharkman will not be able to ride because of his hand (The stitches don't even come out until next week) but will be back for the "In Lieu of Iceman" ride/Party on Saturday, November 2, 2019. 

So mark your calendars for that November 2 at 2 p.m for the ride and 4 p.m for the Party at Players in Augusta. Spouses and significant others welcome. 

More on that in next week's edition of Belo News (if anyone sends a story and/or photos)!

Sharkman hopes to see everyone on November 2 and even hopes to ride!

More next week!

HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY, SHARKMAN!

YETI BOY SUPPLIES THE CAKE!

The "First Couple" of the Nation!

SHARKMAN SUPPLIES THE KOFFEE!

TWO MORE WEEKS OF THE KK-TdG!

IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT!?!

Belo News
September 29, 2019

Galesburg, Mi. - As the entire cycling world is aware, our intrepid hero's Birthday Ride was rained out. But that didn't stop a small but ruckus group of Minions to celebrate the diminutive Shark's 70th Birthday!

Yeti Boys Masterpiece and Mrs. Yeti's artwork!

Yeti Boy, proving once again that he is a World Class Baker, provided the Raspberry Birthday Cake and Sharkman bought the koffee! This is a great country!

Zyckmann arrived in his Shark Minion Jersey claiming he had read the blog (for a change) as the koffee started to flow!

Bissell Boy, Mrs. Yeti Boy, Fire, Reb, Hermster, Wildman and Super Trooper were all in attendance and sang a pretty good rendition of "Happy Birthday" while Sharkman blasted the candles in one breath!

There was even enough cake for the second shift of the Early Morning Koffee Group and for Andrew!

Big thanks to Lava Girl, Yeti Boy and wife, Mrs. Yeti and the entire crew for making Sharkman fell special! (Well, even more special than he thinks he already is!!!)

After speeches by the Mayor of Galesburg, a couple of Senators and a Congressman and, of course, the Governor, the paparazzi grabbed a few photos and the press interviewed their cycling hero's, talking about how the season would continue in Sharkman's absence.

Zyckmann in his Shark Minion Jersey
showing safari photos to Mr. & Mrs. Yeti boy!

It was decided that the KK-TdG would continue for the next two weeks, with Wildman volunteering to lead the Nation. The Nation will then move to Fort Custer for mountain biking the last two weeks of October before the In Leiu of Iceman Ride and Party on November 3, 2019.

Unfortunately, there will be no Belo News for the next two weeks. Oh, the humanity!!!

But the ride goes on!

Saturday, October 5, 2019 Launch Time - 8:30 a.m. - SHARP!

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Launch Time - 8:30 a.m. - SHARP!

Riders are on their own concerning the weather, however, Wildman said he would do his best to be there!

Lava Girl begins the ceremonial candle lighting.....

Saturday, October 19, 2019 the Nation will move to Fort Custer and more information will be put out that week when the Sharkman returns!

In the interim, ride safe!!!

Sharkman was enjoying hizzelf!

All in one blow!!! Is this a great country
or what!?!?

OK, Sharkman, you did it......

One happy Birthday Boy!

Yeti Boy with his Masterpiece!

Is this a great country or what?!?

Mrs. Yeti serving up the Masterpiece!

Things got quiet as they started on the cake!

Super Trooper was eating right down
to the crumps!

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