LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN!!!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!

Radar at launch time! The blue dot is the Shark Cove!
Oh, the humanity!

IT CAN'T RAIN AGAIN, RIGHT???

RED, WHITE & BLUE KIT DAY THIS SATURDAY!!!

Belo News

Shark Cove, Mi.- As dawn broke over the Shark Cove, wet and threatening, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman bound from bed and clicked on the Shark Radar. 

It wasn't looking good......😱

He immediately reset the Shark alarm, and jumped back under his Shark bed spread and snuggled down for another hour of sleep.

When the alarm went off a second time, the radar looked even more threatening! Oh, the humanity.

The old Shark checked his text messages and Reb, his main weather expert, commented that it might be fast moving and might be a morning to drive over to the start. 

That wasn't the way our hero was seeing it.....

The good thing was that it was a very easy call to make!!!

Ride canceled........🥲

In the 'screen grab' above, it was pretty aparent there would be no ride on this stormy morning. The rain was passing over the KK-TdG, that field of dreams, unloading rain, thunder and lightening......🌧

As the Sharkman and Lava Girl sat on the porch watching the rain and just around launch time there was incredible thunder blasts.

Well, there is always this Saturday!!!

Is this a great country or what?!?

The weather for Saturday is looking pretty good as we go to press!!!

Memorial Day Weekend!!!

So break out that Red, White & Blue Kit and come out and ride!!!

May 28, 2022

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

Be there!!

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

 RIDE CANCELED!

Belo News

May 21, 2022

Shark Cove, Mi. - At least this one was a bit easier to call than the last one! 

More rain coming with chance of lightening.

No ride today! 

GREAT WEATHER BRINGS OUT THE SHARK MINIONS!!!

The mighty Shark Minion Nation ready to ROCK!

SKEWER? .......WHAT SKEWER?

WHEN DOES THE SEASON OFFICIALLY START???

WHO'S READING BELO NEWS?

FABIO RETURNS TO THE PELOTON!!!

BEER JERSEY DAY THIS SATURDAY!!!

Belo News

May 14, 2022

Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke bright and crisp over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, bound from his shark bed, shed his "shark P.J.'s" and fired up the shark coffee pot. With the beaufitul weather and the thought of riding in short sleeves in his head, our hero was truly excited to get out on the road in his Shark Minion Kit!

It was Shark Minion Jersey Day and he knew he had an entourage to escort him to the start!!!

Is this a great country or what!?! Could it get any better!?! Oh, life it good, he thought as he put on his beloved Shark Jersey!

Yeti Boy was actually a bit early, also excited to ride, sans his Shark Minion jersey. Wait, what? 

Apparently he read Belo News but did not notice the jersey call out! Oh, the humanity!

Guess we've to to put it in the headlines because he wasn't the only one!

Then, to the Sharkmans surprise, Nikeboy showed up, making his season debut.

As they headed out on Watkins, they spotted the blinking lights of both Reb and Fire approaching. 

The gang was all on for the ride over.

After a tricky ride over a combination of dirt, gravel, and sand on Renton Road where they are resurfacing, the riders moved on and found Wildman riding towards them in the run up to the Eaton Plant, getting in extra miles in preparation for the WAM Ride.

Snow White was on time!!! 😜 *

The rider took the path behind the Gull Lake Distillary, which is a pleasant passage to Battle Creek Street and on to the start.

As the Sharkman and his entourage arrived, they noticed Kia Pet, Stryker Girl and Drug Czar were back, but it was short lived for Kia Pet. Now, riders have forgotten helmets, shoes, gloves,etc. that someone might actually have a spare for. However, Kia Pet went big in the "forget" category when he realized he had forgotten the skewer for his front wheel! 

However, he was wearing his Shark kit on the day and looking great!!! Hope to see you next week, Kia Pet, but you huge call out in Belo News and didn't even ride! Nice job!

Sasquatch was back, making his season debut and wearing his Shark Minion Jersey and ready to ride. Welcome back Sasquatch!!

Then that legend known as Fabio rode in, making his season debut! Zyckkmmann was back in the Nation! Sans his Shark kit....yet another not reading the blog!! Zykkccmann was just off of his Belgian Waffle podium finish, he had not even read about himself in the Belo News! Oh, the humanity!!

Skewer? What skewer?
Oh, Kia Pet......

And everyone seemed to be on time!!! Even Snow White!!! 🥴

After the Race Start Photo/selfie photo, Sharkman called out for the start as the train of 21 riders (22 if you count Kia Pet!) pulled out of the station for another edition of the world famous KK-TdG!!!

After traversing the Galesburg metropolis and making it past the recently patched pot holes to the start, the Mighty Shark Minion Nation headed north as one big unite of cycling humanity!

As the peloton bunched, Toesetter, sporting his now famous "Minion Socks," pulled up next to the Sharkman and asked if he was ready for the sprint. Sharkman responded, stating that Toesetter should make the move and he would decide if he would go for it or not.

As the Nation approached the first, honorary sprint, rue to form, Toesetter pulled out and Sharkman could not resist the kind offer. Toesetter moved to the outside where Sharkman jumped on and the two shot to the front. Looking back on occassion to make sure that the diminutive Shark was still on his wheel, they dynamic duo forged ahead, opening up a gap that they held as Toe pealed off and Sharkman took the sprint at a respectable, early season, honorary first spint speed of approximately 22 mph. Thanks Toesetter! 

Is this a great country or what.

Then Sharkman performed the "offical" count, confirming 21 riders were all on, and did so without falling off of his bike!!! 😜

Fire was back after her Hincapie
Fondo Mountain Ride!

The weather was just drop dead beautiful as the sun continued to rise, warming the backs of the 21 Shark Minions moving north on the col de Twin Lakes and on to the Yorkville Church.

The pace was fast through Kellogg Korner and past the Kountry Klub and on to the Rt. 43 sprint.

The Neutral Zone on Rt. 43 seemed to cause a "yo-yo" paceline, but once on the climb up the legendary Col de Norte, the peloton spread out into a more comfortable rhythm.

Toesetter again went to the front as the mighty Shark Minion Nation was feeling their oats in all that sunshine, in short sleeves, sans base layers! Oh, what a day in the peloton!!!

The Nation spread out in the run up to the Holy Rollers, but came back together quickly on the hills into the feed stop. At the stop, they seemed to be two riders short. Reb and Nikeboy had dropped off early in the ride, but there were two riders missing after Raptor took the cut off and checked in.

However, as Sharkman was wondering about his math ability while trying not to fall of his "standing still" bike, sweeper on the day, Hermster, rode in with the Drug Czar who had lost her water bottle on a pot hole bump and had to go back to get it.

KimPossible returned for the ride!

All on and Toe and Wildman started back to the High Road to head to the Inlet.

Again, Toesetter pulled the pace with the Shark on his wheel and a cast of thousands on thier wheels.

A FULL stop was made at the Inlet and all were on!

After a quick crossing of the Digital Divide, Sharkman started the paceline to the coveted GGG Spot Sprint, quickly handing it off at the first hill to Wildman and Toesetter.

The paceline worked well for early in the season, as the speeds moved north of 22 mph.

As the fast moving train moved to the final curve, Toesetter pulled off as Sasquatch came up with the "Sweetheart of the Peleton" on his wheel to contest her traditional sprint.

As Gazelle Girl moved forward, chants of "Gazelle Girl, Gazelle Girl" rang out as she moved to embrace her special GGG Spot Sprint with great satisfaction as the Nation began to cheer, "it was a victory for America!!!"

Hermster was back!

All where on as the Nation made the turn to head south to the final sprint.

The pace picked up as Fire went to the front and the Nation began to bunch up before Hermster made his traditonal move with Zickymann and  the Shark Minions began to jockey for position.

At the sumit of the final approach to the sprint, Zyckmenn and Hermster moved to the front with Toesetter, Fire, Wildman, Gazelle Girl, Wishbone and Sharkman in tow.

Barreling down on the final tape, riders jockeyed back and forth in a torrid sprint to the finish.....but you had to be there to see it! 

As a matter of fact, it was a photo finish as two riders battled to take it while one came up at the last minute to squeeze into the hunt.

Who won? Come on out next week to see who wins.

One more week of spring training and then the season begins!!!

The Tofosi and Paparazzi went wild on the Champs le Galesburg as the hero's moved toward the Koffee Klutch Press Conference.

Wildman won the sprint (actually he stopped ahead of the ride to throw down his credit card like the class act he is) to the Klutch to by the koffee! Thanks Wildman!!!

Squeaky leading a pre-ride
yoga session....

The crowd was the biggest of the young, spring season and rocked the Klutch.

After a great pit stop and several servings of Bottomless Klutch Koffee, Sharkman, Fire and Yeti Boy were pleased to get a great tail wind back to the Shark Cove!

This is a great country!

You won't want to miss this week's edition, though at the time Belo News goes to press the weather forecast has rain but not until later in the morning. Remember, if there is any question of launch, check your email and/or Belo News for any cancelation announcements one hour before start time!

Saturday, May 21, 2022

BEER JERSEY DAY!!!

That's right, Bunkie, blow the dust off your favorite beer jersey and come on out to ride!!

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

BE THERE!

* Thanks to Raptor for some of the great photos in this edition!!!

Sasquatch making his 
season debut!

Some riders read Belo News!!!

Fabio returns!
Welcome home, Zyckmann!!

Toesetter modeling his
Minion Socks!

Stryker Guy and his 
bionic knee return!

The Klutch was rocking!

Sharkman and his Minions!*

Thanks for the koffee, Wildman!!!
You ROCK!*

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

VIRGIN MINIONS COME OUT FOR SPRING TRAINING!!!

The mighty Shark Minion Nation!

SHARKMAN CRASHES?! WELL, SORT OF.........

THE RETURN OF FABIO??? COULD IT BE???? THIS SATURDAY!!!

Belo News

May 7, 2022

Shark Cove, Mi. - As dawn broke bright and crisp over the Shark Cove, our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, bound from bed and headed right to the window! 

He was pleased to see that there was NO RAIN! It was a bit brisk, but NO RAIN!

Obligatory Selfie......

The old shark was a bit concerned as he believed he would not have an entourage to escort him to the start on this fine day. However, shortly after taking a sip from his first, of many cups of coffee, he got a text from his wingman, Yeti Boy. 

Still recovering from his bout with Covid and with a lack of miles in his legs, he had been thinking of driving to the start. However, he instead texted to Sharkman to say he was going to ride over! 

YES! Game on!

That text was followed by a second text from Gazelle Girl, stating that she and Toesetter were going to try to get in some extra miles and would be meeting us on the ride over!!! 

Is this a great country or what?!?

Virgin Minion
The Drug Czar!

Now the big decision was what to wear! It was 45 but the "feel like" temp was 43. Sharkman's cut off for wearing tights is 45 degrees, so he brought some leg warmers up, just in case. But as he got his faithful steed ready, it felt too warm for the leg warmers and he threw them back down the basement stairs to be put away later.

Yeti was a bit early and the two started over to the start with a pretty nice tail wind out of the northeast.

At the Eaton Plant, Gazelle Girl and Toesetter joined on and as they came down the hill to Galesburg, Sqeaky appeared. As Toesetter cut off for the Post Office, the Sharkman and his entourage took the new bike path to the start, which goes behind the Gull Lake Distillary and is pretty nice!

Sharkman was please to see a large group of riders pulling in to the start, both by bike and by car and a bunch of new faces.

Kia Pet was back and brought along Styker Girl, who had ridden once before with the Nation, along with a Virgin Minion called Drug Czar. The Nation loves when a rider comes with their own name and that name is a beauty!! Apparently she is in some form of drug enforcement, so watch your step, Shark Minions! Put away those dope clutch bags in your kit!!!

Virgin Minion
The Senator!

In addition, Mark Schauer arrived, someone well known to Sharkman, and invited by Yeti Boy, who was immediately named, "The Senator" having been, well, a State Senator!!

Welcome to the mighty Shark Minion Nation, Drug Czar and Senator!!!

As mentioned, Squeaky was back and dressed like he was doing an expedition to the Arctic Circle! It was learned that his "cut off" for wearing tights is around 75 degrees! Belo News guess is that he is 10 pounds heavier with all that garb when it dips to those lows of 65 degrees!

Riders kept pouring in as you can see from the photos, start photo and selfie start photo.

Riders making their Season Debuts and not already mentioned were Stroker, Wishbone and Raptor! Welcome back, Shark Minions!

After a few speeches the mighty Shark Minion Nation pulled out of the station as the gathered crowed of Shark Minion fans went wild.

Seventeen riders in all, headed through the thriving Galesburg metropolis, past the Koffee Klutch and on to the course.

Stryker Girl making her
Season Debut!

Being Spring Season, Sharkman did not want to contest his honorary first sprint, but won it in his mind anyway. 

When they game to the first G Ave. crossing the Nation pulled up to the stop sign and Sharkman was trying to get an offical count. 

That is when it happened!

In one of more the more embarrasing moments in his long and storied cycling career, Sharkman fell off his bike! While he was standing still!!! 

Oh, the humanity!!

Wait.....what?

You heard that right, Bunkie!

As Sharkman put his right foot down to stop, he kept his left foot clipped in as he normally does.

Then, as he was attempting to confirm the count of Shark Minions on the day, so that no one is left behind at the future stops, he leaned to the left to look back. Unfortunately, he leaned too far and slowly did one ot those "Laugh In" falls (Editors Note - the reporter here may be dating themselves with the "Laugh In" comment 🤔). Shark man slowly started leaning, then falling to his left towards Raptor, who rather than catch him, did an excellent job of getting out of the way!

Kia Pet and his 
Season Debut!

Sharkman immediately popped up saying "I meant to do that...." 🥴 But he did get a little road rash and had to realign his seat. Those were both minor compared to the injury to his ego......😒

Embarassement over, the Nation took off and Sharkman successfully confirmed the count at 17 riders.

It was an interesting morning, as the wind out of the northeast was brisk, and the group continued to break into a lead, then a second, third and sometimes, fourth group. Normally the Nation stays together better, but it seemed that the chatter, the beautiful spring day, the catching up after a long winter may have been a factor.

None the less, the sprinting was spirited and the Shark Minions who did go ahead did a great job of waiting at the Stop Signs.

Just before traversing Kellogg Korner, that Legend of the Peloton known as Stryker Guy, was parked on the corner and everyone shouted out to join on! The Nation was very dissapointed when he did not. It was learned later that his brother was visiting and riding with him and he was waiting for his brother to climb a hill up from the lake. He also didn't think his brother was ready for the pace, but he hopes to be back with his bionic knee soon!

As they approached the Rt. 43 stop, Stryker Girl had a flat tire and everyone shouted out, "Skittles" but it appeared that Raptor wanted to do the job. The deflated tire was fixed pretty darn fast, regardless and the Nation was off again to the Col de Norte, where Sharkman made sure everyone was on, which was confirmed by Hermster, who was acting as the sweeper in that section.

Stroker made his Season Debut after
crushing it at the U.S. Swimming
Nationals!!!

Again, the Nation split into different groups as they worked their way past the Million Dollar Mile, as well as the Holy Rollers up to the "Feed Stop!"

The Naton took the high road to the Inlet and after making a complete stop at the stop sign, moved on to the Digital Divide.

Skittles went out front with Sharkman on his wheel and put in a crushing pull, leading the wild paceline on to the coveted GGG Spot Sprint. Sharkman held on for as long as he could as the speeds moved from 21 at the start to north of 25 as they bore down like an out of control frieght train to the GGG Spot Sprint.

That is when Gazelle Girl made her move to the front, not to be denied the satisfaction of achieving the final joy of capturing the GGG Spot Sprint once again! Immediatly surrounded by her entourage to the finish, she took the tape, never looking  back, with a big sigh of satisfaction!

It was a vicroty for America!

Toesetter returns after his
mountain bike tour of
Brown County Indiana!

As the Nation gathered up for the final assault on the finish, they made a clean crossing of G Ave. and though Skittles and Gazelle Girl picked up the pace, With his carbon wheels sounding like a truck was passing, Hermster put in his rabbit move and at the first hill took off. Sharkman thought some may let him go for a while, but Skittle was not to be denied and immediately jumped on to Hermsters wheel, along with a cast of thousands of Minions!

Kia Pet came up around Sharkman and Sharkman decide to grab his wheel, riding him like a rented mule and hanging on to him like he was last Dorito in the bowl!!!

Again the peloton was split up but moving fast!!!

At the base of the final ascent to the finish, Kia Pet pulled off and Sharkman was on his own. Thanking Kia Pet for the pull Sharkman tried to work his way to the front.

There were Shark Minions everywhere as the crowd went wild in anticipation of who would take the final sprint.

But unfortunately, it is Spring Season and you had to be there to see what happened, but suffice it to say, young Skittles did well!

Squeaky, the Style Guy!
Is he goig to the Arctic Circle?

The crowds also went wild on the Champs le Galesburg as our hero's zipped up their jersey's and waved to the paparazzi, tofosi and mass of at least two maybe three people watched on as they worked their wasy to the Press Conference at the Koffee Klutch.

Skittles, perhaps celabrating his ride, was the first to get into the Klutch to throw down his credit card and bought all the Bottomless! 

Thanks Skittles!!! This IS a great country!!!

The chatter was up and the koffee kept coming as our hero's visited and signed autographs for the tofosi.

Sharkman and Yeti were dreading the ride home into a 10 mph headwind, which proved to be the big challenge on the day.

And it was.....Oh, the humanity!!!

You won't want to miss this weeks edition!!!

At press time the forecast is for a 60% chance of rain, but latter in the day. However, remember that if there is any question on the weather, Sharkman tries to send out an email one hour before start time if the ride is canceled. No email, the ride is on!!!

Wishbone making his 
Season Debut!

It should also be around 63 degrees early, so the launch time will be moved up to the regular season start time of 8:30 a.m. - SHARP! Hoping we don't have to move it back due to cold anymore!

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Original Shark Minion Jeresey Day*!!! Get out your original Shark Minion Jersey and ride!!!

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

BE THERE!

*You do not need a Shark Minion Jersey to ride!

The Klutch was rocking!!!

Raptor making his 
Season Debut!

FABIO ROCKS THE BELGIAN WAFFLE RACE!!

Podium Finish for Zyckmann!!!

THE RETURN OF ZYCKMANN!!! OH, THE HUMANITY!!!

Belo News

April 30, 2022

San Marcos, CA. - Our long lost Shark Minion hopes to be back in the peloton this weekend!!!

Meanwhile, he sent in this report from his sucess at the infamous Belgain Waffle Race where he did the Nation proud with a podium finish!

Zyckmann's report:

I did the Shark Minion Nation proud and finished the Belgian Waffle Race!

Enjoying is well won bounty!!!
Beer? Waffle? Ice cream?
Oh, ya baby!!!

The route was 76.6 miles with 6000 ft. of climbing.

35 miles of dirt-gravel.

Crashed twice but didn't bonk!

Took Second in my age group at 6 hours 22 minutes!

I also got a waffle with ice cream and a big bottle of beer! 

Is this a great country or what?!?

See you all May 14th!!!

Fabio

Great job Zyckmann/Fabio and you did make the Nation proud!

We look forward to having you back in the peloton again and can't wait to hear more about the crashes!!!

You rocked it!!!

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

LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN!

RAIN OR NO RAIN, IT DIDN'T STOP SOME SHARK MINIONS!

Rainman at the start? Oh, the humanity!

THIS SATURDAY, 9:00 A.M. LAUNCH!

BE THERE!

Belo News

April 30, 2022

Shark Cove, MI - As dawn broke over the Shark Cove, Sharkman didn't even look out the window as he bound out of bed, ready to ride!

It was only when he got a text from Wildman that he began to panic (well, as much as Sharkman panics 😱)! The text stated, "Looks like rain, I'm out!"

Rain? What rain?

Sharkman immediately pulled up the radar and sure enough, there was rain all over the place. But it looked like it might break up and he waited. 

However, at each check, there was rain and though light rain, it was only about 47 degrees and with the wind, the "feels like" temp was at 43. Perfect hyperthermia weather, though in texts with Sharkmans weather department, Reb, he called it "Hypocondriac Weather."

At 7:50 a.m. our hero, remembering the credo that "Shark Minions will ride in the rain, but will not start in the rain," decided to cancel the ride and would have to again, suffer the second guessing from some Shark Minions. Sharkman hates those mornings when it is a close call, but the forecast was saying 90% chance of rain on and off all morning.

At launch time, Rainman (yes that Rainman) who was given the name when he declared he does not ride in the rain, reported in by text, "Let the record state that the Rainman is riding in what was to be threatening rain. All dry here!"

Though it was raining lightly at the Shark Cove when the text came in, it looked like a dry launch for the man who doesn't ride in the rain!

The radar around launch time seemed
to indicate rain approaching the start!

Sharkman went to the radar and it sure looked like more rain. He did hear from some Shark Minions indorsing  the call, but still felt bad that he had canceled the KK-TdG.

Sharkman and Yeti went out to ride later in the morning, around 10:30 a.m. and did get rained on, but only lightly. However, they were both pleased they had not ridden the usual 50+ miles in that cold, raw wind with the damp and wet roads. It was a miserable day to ride and he was feeling marginally better about the call.

Later in the day, Squeaky reported in that he and Hermster did the ride and did not have any rain. Sharkman informed Squeaky he needed photo evidence of any ride, but strongly suspected that he and Hermster did, in fact, ride.......

Hopefully, this week will be better!

So, let's try this again and always remember that if there is any question of rain/snow/cold and cancelation, an email and a post will go up approximately one hour before the ride!

Saturday, May 7, 2022

The forecast is for dry (though so was last weeks 🙄) but cool weather again, so Launch Time remains the same!

Launch Time - 9:00 A.M. - SHARP!

BE THERE!

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