Hey, when is Opening Day?

IS IT OPENING DAY YET?

MINIONS ROCK AT BARRY ROUBAIX!

COOL DAD MAKES MELTING MAN VIDEO!

OPENING DAY APRIL 5, 2014!

Belo News

March 26, 2014

Shark Cove, Mi. - It has been like “Ground Hog Day” for our intrepid hero this month of March.  As dawn breaks over the Shark Cove each morning, and after evacuation of his bladder, the old Shark looks out the window and seeing the dark, cold morning that awaits, like Punxsutawney Phil, he crawls back into bed and pulls the covers over his head and goes back to sleep. Ah, how our hero loves his bed…..

As readers of Belo News are well aware, the Nation has had an Opening Day on the second Saturday of March for the past 8 years, but due to the weather, it was postponed this year.  Realizing there was just too much snow on the roads and the continued predictions for cold caused the Commissioner of Cycling to postpone to April.  With Barry-Roubaix on March 22, and with the Sharkman out of town on March 29, it was determined to postpone until April 5. 

Oh, the humanity!

Since the Editors of Belo News will be out on the coast with the Sharkman, covering his every move, there may not be an edition next week, so remember to mark your calendars for:

Saturday, April 5!

Launch Time - 10:00 A.M. - SHARP!

Be there!

MINIONS ROCK AT BARRY-ROUBAIX!

Cannon on the podium again!

Belo News

March 22, 2014

Hasting, Mi. - Thinking that Barry-Roubaix was the last Saturday in March, the Sharkman did not enter this annual Hell of the North Race as he was planning on being out of town. When he realized the real date, it was too late to enter.  Additionally, he is in terrible shape at the moment! No, really......

However, the Nation rode and did well!

Hoosier Boy at Barry-Roubaix!

As a matter of fact, our own Cannon made the podium, taking third place in his age group!  Belo News is also aware that a major contingent of Team Taylor/Minion Nation riders took part!

Rainman and Hoosier Boy were also in attendance!  Hopefully, we will have more information in upcoming editions!

Great job Minions, you did the Nation proud!

COOL DAD MAKES MELTING MAN VIDEO!

Belo News

March 15, 2014

Shark Cove, Mi. - After the last edition of Belo News hit the air waves, a faithful reader went to the Melting Man video and reported that new Minion, Cool Dad, was featured in the opening clip!  Belo News regrets not reporting this in the issue and needed to set the record straight.  Though Cool Dad is new to the Nation and has not taken part in a KK-TdG, he has been to the Iceman with the Nation.  Welcome to the Nation Cool Dad and nice job at Melting Man!

OPENING DAY POSTPONED! 

POSTPONED AGAIN!  SAY IT AIN'T SO!

POLE 2 POLE RACE RESULTS!

CANNON RULES AT MELTING MAN!

Belo News

March 12, 2014

Shark Cove, Mi. - As this Edition of Belo News was about to go to press, a 9 1/2 inch wet snow storm hit the area and our reporters stopped writing about Opening Day……oh, the humanity!

It is with deep regret that the Commissioner of Cycling has decided to postpone Opening Day until the first Saturday in April when the Nation can only hope for better weather.

Even if the weather warmed a bit before Saturday, a review of the course indicates that snow still covers the fog lines on most of the roads, making it impossible to move over if need be.

The Nation has had 8 successful Opening Days (on the second Saturday of March) in a row and though last years Opening Day was shortened due to ice and snow, this year the weather is just not cooperating and deemed too dangerous for riders!  Additionally, the course is still loaded with road salt and assorted junk.  

New, Tentative Opening Day!

Saturday, April 5, 2014!

More details to follow!

POLE 2 POLE RACE RESULTS!

Gazelle Girl and her Irish Coffee!

Belo News

March 1, 2014

Zickman Estate, Mi. - After a year off from lack of ice, the Pole 2 Pole Race got under way from the flag pole at the super plush Zickman Estate, to the Gull Lake Country Club and back, across a very frozen Gull Lake.  The event kicked off after a round of Irish Coffee (or did the happen after the race?) with our own Gazelle Girl winning the skiing division.

Boatman, who surprisingly mentioned to Sharkman the night before at the End of Winter Party that he hates to ride in the cold, was in attendance along with Ironman, Toe Setter, Brent (whose bike name escapes and could not be reached

The Team makes the first check point!

for comment) along with the Sweetheart of the Peloton, Gazelle Girl who took away honors in both the woman's division as well as the ski division despite being really hungry.  Go figure.

Gazelle Girl was quoted as stating it was like taking candy from babies.

Zickman had all the fixings for the Irish Coffee and Gazelle Girl even got to take home some Redi-Whip as her winning award and was also quoted, stating "Is this a great country or what?"

Gazelle Girl taking the female/ski division!

Toesetter, Gazelle Girl and Brent celebrating post race.

Toesetter, Zickman and Brent ready to rock!

MINIONS RULE MELTING MAN!

Cannon on the podium!

Belo News

March 9, 2014

Marcellus, Mi. - Several Minions did the Nation proud this past Saturday at Melting man.

First among them was our own Cannon who blasted to the third spot on the podium in his age group followed up by Dave Buick (who really needs a bike name) who finished just behind the Cannon in 5th place in the same category! 

Way to go Minions!

Team Taylor also had a great showing and Iceman, who finished 7th in his age group wrote up the following account!

We had about 15 Team Taylor riders sporting our new winter Team Taylor colors.

Cannon hoisting one, post race!

Other Team Taylor/Minions who raced:

Kevin Cleary - Kia Pet

Nick Yetter - Nick Head

Kevin Hains - The Bounty Hunter

Colby Novar - I don't know his nick name

Brian Nelson - Mo Pink, who shot the attached video. which was used by Melting Mann and MMBA Face book pages.

Melting Mann Meltdown:

Team Taylor showed up in force for the first annual Melting Mann Gravel Road Race on March 9, Race time 10:00a.m.

Around 15 Team Taylor riders of which many are Minions including Kia Pet, the Bounty Hunter, Nick Head, Mo Pink and Colby, turned up in the frigid temps down near Swiss Valley Ski Resort.

Race time temp was about 17 degrees and around 280 racers. A beautiful 28 mile course that was around 80% hard snow pack/ice with the  remainder being clear pavement.  A great race on a bright, sunny, yet seriously cold day.  Wave one rolled out at 10:04 to the sounds of screaming fans and wild applause muffled by heavy mittens and gloves.  Most were on CX machines with studded feet and several were on MTB, even some Fatty's.

Not even one mile into the course and it was time to climb... on the steep paved piece of misery called Patterson Hill.  Then it was on to the famed Mann Road which is normally not even a road,  but they had it plowed and it was a slick mess of a frozen two track.  Crashes all over the place even though studded tires were in play.  I ran right over a guys leg... hope my 45NRTH Grvdal's laced with 252 studs per tire didn't cause him any more discomfort.  Shortly there after I had my own tip over on the slick stuff trying to avoid a three rider pile up.  Shortly after that recovery I watched Nick Head slide out on the two track and bang up against the rock hard snow boulders from the plow.... and we were only 1.5 miles into the race!!  He was okay so we ventured on together.  Big climbs in the first eight or ten miles caused some riders with no studs to push their steeds up the frozen roads while our studs gripped for the climb.

Nick Head and I were having a relatively uneventful ride when at about the 21 mile mark we were ripping side by side down a frozen road at about 24mph, when in mid sentence, Nick Head went down in a split second.  I looked down and there he was sliding on his hip right next to me ala Apollo Ono after a short track speed skating crash.  He slid all the way across the other lane and ended up a full 25 feet away from his bike.  Racers behind him narrowly missed both him and his bike due to difficult navigating on the ice.  I stopped and went back to a fully dazed Nick Head, but nothing was broken.  He shook off the crash, found his glasses (even further away)  and we mounted up and continued on a bit more gingerly only loosing maybe 2 or 3 minutes to the clock.  We finished the race together doing well in our age groups as well as overall.

The last 6 miles had some more climbs that I wasn't ready for and finished on a slowly leaking rear wheel making the climbs even less fun.  The website says it is 1,300 feet of climbing.  It felt more like 5,000 in this early season, cold weather.  Check out their FB page and watch the attached video of the rollout. Great music, free beer and great prizes post race.  A really nice first year event.

 It is a beautiful course worthy of summer training.

https://www.facebook.com/meltingmann

ICEMAN SIGN UP AT BELL'S!

Sharkman waits in line at Bell's.

Belo News

February 28, 2014

Kalamazoo, Mi. - What has become a rite of Spring, the annual sign up for Iceman was held at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo on the last day of February….proported to be the last day of Winter, eh?

Anyway, the Nation was well represented as Sharkman, Reb, Hambone, Cool Dad, Brewman, Bissell Boy, Styker Guy, Gazelle Girl, along with a cast of thousands and maybe some Minions we missed or forgot!

Stand in line, fill out a form, write a check and "Walla" you're in Iceman and can start to drink beer with bike buddies!  Is this a great country or what?!?

Brewman and Bissell Boy hoisting a cold one!

Bissell Boy bought a round and Reb got lunch!  Sharkman was living large!  

Iceman is shaping up to be another great race!

THE NATION SAY'S GOODBYE TO LUANN!

Goodbye Luann! We'll miss you!

END OF WINTER PARTY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

POLE 2 POLE THIS SATURDAY!

SEASON OPENER SATURDAY MARCH 15, 2014!

Belo News

February 22, 2014

Galesburg, Mi. - The Klutch was rocking last Saturday as the mighty Minion Nation said goodbye to the "Sweetheart of the Klutch!"  

Luann's collage of the past 9 years!

As anyone who is anyone in cycling knows, Luann has sold the Koffee Klutch and will be moving on some time in March.  So the Nation got together on Saturday to celebrate the almost 9 years of great Saturday mornings they have shared with Luann and all the fun she has provided the Minions. 

Luann invited the Nation in for free koffee and Sharkman and Lava Girl provided the cake.  In addition to Sharkman and Lava Girl, Bissell Boy, Brewman, Wildman, Hossman, Mad Dog, Rainman, Tardette, and Raindrop were all in attendance.

The cake was a big hit!

Sharkman said a few words, speaking about how the Nation had been at the Klutch on the first Saturday Luann opened in July of 2006 and how Luann had hosted the sweaty Nation on most Saturday mornings from March to November ever since.  Sharkman also shared how much the Nation will miss Luann and how much she has meant to the special ambiance of the Koffee Klutch Tour de Gull ride each week.

All agreed, our Luann will be greatly missed!

Sharkman then presented Luann with a framed collage of photos from the past 9 years and Luann introduced the new, soon to be owner, of the Klutch, Andrew Perrault.

Welcome to the mighty Minions Nation Andrew!

Sharkman say's a few words and gives Luann the framed collage!

Even some of the early Saturday Morning group were there and had some of Luann's cake.

A big thanks to Luann for a great morning and for all she has done for the Nation the past 9 years! 

Luann with owner to be Andrew Perrault!

Luann and Raindrop

Tardette and Raindrop liked the cake!

Hossman, looking svelt, discussing the art of cake eating.

Rainman, "excuse my reach......... for more cake!"

Luann and Mad Dog with his Latte (or whatever it is!).

The crowd looks on as Sharkman says a few words of thanks!

The Nation talks bikes. "When does the season start?"
(see story below)

"I love cakes!"

More cake please.......

POLE 2 POLE RACE SET FOR THIS SATURDAY!

DON'T MISS THIS RACE!

P2P Race this Saturday!

Belo News

February 25, 2014

Gull Lake, Mi. - The Annual (except for last year when there wasn't enough ice) Pole 2 Pole Race is all set to launch this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Zickman Estate!

This race is back by popular demand after last years hiatus and should be an exciting way to end winter after the End of Winter Party on Friday night!

This unique "race" allows you to race on any form of conveyance you want as long as it doesn't have a motor.  Ski, snow shoe, bike, run, etc.  Contestants race from the flag pole at the Zickman Estate to the flag pole across the lake at the Gull Lake Country Club and back.

A celebration of the race will take place after and the event is BYOB! 

Get out your fat bike, ski's, snow shoes, sled, whatever and get our butt in gear!

Bring you favorite beer to enjoy the post race activities!

The Zickman Estate is located at 4106 East Gull Lake Drive hickory corners but snow banks are block the numbers on the mailbox post - its a black mailbox .4 mi north of Ross township park--there will be a penguin in the snowbank by the drive!  Is this a great country or what?!?

Don't forget, this race has a 9:00 A.M. - SHARP! Start, so don't be late, Bunkie!

TEAM ACTIVE END OF WINTER PARTY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

Belo News

February 25, 2014

Battle Creek, Mi. - What better way to get ready for the Pole 2 Pole Race than to party hardy at the Annual Team Active End of Winter Party?!

This has become one of THE cycling events of the year and the Nation will not want to miss the opportunity to see what is new, and visit with riders you've not seen all winter!

END OF WINTER PARTY 2014 WITH SPECIAL GUEST MELISSA STOCKWELL; FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH

Okay, enough already.  Are you as sick and tired of winter as we are?  The snow is pretty and all but it is starting to get a bit rediculous.  It's time to take some action.  So, why not start planning for the End of Winter party.  What is the End of Winter Party?  It's just the biggest event on the cycling calendar.  Food, lively beverages, specials and of course, our special guest.  This year the event will be held on Friday, February 28th, 2014 and we are honored to be bringing in Melissa Stockwell and her service dog, Jake.  Melissa (melissastockwell.com) is an Iraq war veteran who lost a leg to a roadside bomb.  She has since gone on to not only overcome her injury but excel in triathlons. She was a 2008 Paralympian and is a 3 time paratriathlon world champion and motivational speaker.  Melissa also started Dare2tri paratriathlon club, a non-profit organization that serves youth, adults and injured service members who have physical disabilities.  Dare2tri prepares the paratriathletes for competition by providing the adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching, and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides. Team Active will be holding a silent auction at the End of Winter party with the proceeds benefiting Dare2tri. Please mark your calendars and come out ready to party and meet Melissa.

SEASON OPENER SLATED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

Belo News

February 25, 2014

The Shark Minion Nation will be in the water soon!

Shark Cove, Mi. - As is tradition, the Season Opener (Spring Training) has always been slated for the second Saturday in March.  This year, that would mean March 8 and the Commissioner of Cycling has determined that date will not work for two important reasons.  First, with the onslaught of several Polar Vortex experiences, the fact that there is still ice and snow on the roads, March 8 would be a bit optimistic to start the season.  However, the second reason may very well be the most important of the two.  Our intrepid hero, the Sharkman, will not be here on March 8 and would not make Opening Day and that just cannot happen, Bunkie!

So, weather permitting, the Season will open for Spring Training on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. - SHARP!

Punxsutawney Phil has assured the Nation of good weather so stand by!

And to all this wanna be Minions, those who are concerned about being in shape or with keeping up with the Nation, well this is the best time to come out and ride!

No one is in shape this time of year and since it is Spring Training, the ride is more mellow as the Nation ramps up to May when riders get into race shape.

So come on out and ride yourself into shape!

Be there!

LUANN LEAVING THE KLUTCH?

Luanne leaving the Klutch?! Oh, no!

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

THE END OF AN ERA!

HELP US CELEBRATE WITH LUANN ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014!

POLE 2 POLE RACE PUSHED BACK!

Belo News

February 13, 2014

Galesburg, Mi. - The end of an era is about to come to a close for the mighty Minion Nation.  Belo News is sad to report that "The Sweetheart of the Klutch," our very own Minion Master Barista, Luann, has sold the Klutch and will be leaving at the end of February!

Luann helps the Sharkman celebrate his 60th!

After almost 9 years, Luann has decided to sell the Klutch and she will be sorely missed in the Minion Nation, as well as Galesburg.

As regular readers of Belo News are already aware, the Sharkman has had a Saturday morning ride since 1988 with legendary early Minion riders like Bullet Bob and Karl the Kannibal joining him.

Over the years, a number of Minions had come and gone, and one of them was making a trip over from Galesburg to be a part of the ride.  Qman, who was a faithful Minion for a number of years before moving up to Minnesota, and the Sharkman decided to move the start of the ride over to Galesburg when they began to see signs about the Klutch opening there soon!

Sharkman's love of koffee is somewhat legendary and if he ever stopped drinking the elixir, they would need to shut down a couple of koffee growing nations.

Luann celebrating Sharkman's 60th with the Nation!

Sharkman wanted to have a kool koffee shop to go to after the ride to talk cycling.  Where the elite of biking could gather for a great kup of koffee while talking about the ride.  Sharkman had been riding in the Friday night Kalamazoo Bike Club rides from Billy's Bike shop and loved the course, so why not do it on Saturday morning when more people might be able to ride? 

And thus, the Koffee Klutch Tour de Gull was born almost 9 years ago. The Nation was at the Klutch on the first Saturday that Luann opened up and has been there many seasons since.  Luann was always at the door to wave the Nation on at the start of rides, in addition to getting a good count of riders so the koffee would be ready when they returned. 

Luann taking care of her Nation!

Luann was there to greet the Nation and put up with the mass of Minions who took over the Klutch every Saturday morning from March through October.  Luann was quick with a smile, a "Hello sweetie!" and even quicker to fill up your mug with her great koffee. The Klutch became a second home for many a Minion and their families.  Many Minions would come for koffee even if they didn't come for the ride!

The Nation will miss Luann but is also happy for her as she begins a new chapter in her life! Fortunately for the Nation, the new owner will keep the Klutch open and the Nation stands ready to help with that!

Luann always ready to fill up the "Bottomless Kup!"

So the Nation will come together for one last kup of koffee from our favorite Barista, Luann on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.!

And Luann has graciously offered free koffee for the Nation!

So come on out and help the Nation say goodbye to our Luann!

RSVP the Sharkman so we can give a count to Luann!

Be there!

Danimal sticking to the pole!

POLE 2 POLE RACE SET FOR MARCH 1, 2014

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Belo News

February 13, 2014

Gull Lake, Mi. - The Pole 2 Pole has been moved back to March 1, 2014! Race Director Zickman had a schedule conflict and has announced that this famous race needed to get pushed back.

For those of you chomping at the bit to get out and do something, you will get your chance on Saturday, March 1, 2014!  Remember, March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb, so what better way "to come in like a lion" than the Pole 2 Pole Race! 

Here is your big chance to get out of those winter doldrums, Bunkie!

P2P Race Start!

The Nation may remember that this event was cancelled last year due to a lack of ice, but that should not be a problem this year, eh Bunkie?!

For those new to the Nation, this event is held at the Zickman Estate on the east side of Gull Lake.  

You can race on any form of conveyance you wish as long as it doesn't have a motor.  Ski, snow shoe, bike, run, etc.  Contestants race from the flag pole at the Zickman Estate to the flag pole across the lake to flag pole at the Gull Lake Country Club and back.

Foot, Ski, Bike, Snow Shoe......

Start time will be 9:00 a.m.!

A celebration of the race will take place after and the event and will be BYOB!

Watch Belo News for more updates on this race in the coming weeks!

And they're off!

END OF WINTER PARTY 2014 WITH SPECIAL GUEST MELISSA STOCKWELL; FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH

Okay, enough already.  Are you as sick and tired of winter as we are?  The snow is pretty and all but it is starting to get a bit rediculous.  It's time to take some action.  So, why not start planning for the End of Winter party.  What is the End of Winter Party?  It's just the biggest event on the cycling calendar.  Food, lively beverages, specials and of course, our special guest.  This year the event will be held on Friday, February 28th, 2014 and we are honored to be bringing in Melissa Stockwell and her service dog, Jake.  Melissa (melissastockwell.com) is an Iraq war veteran who lost a leg to a roadside bomb.  She has since gone on to not only overcome her injury but excel in triathlons. She was a 2008 Paralympian and is a 3 time paratriathlon world champion and motivational speaker.  Melissa also started Dare2tri paratriathlon club, a non-profit organization that serves youth, adults and injured service members who have physical disabilities.  Dare2tri prepares the paratriathletes for competition by providing the adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching, and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides. Team Active will be holding a silent auction at the End of Winter party with the proceeds benefiting Dare2tri. Please mark your calendars and come out ready to party and meet Melissa.

A SHISHBOOMING START TO THE YEAR!

The Mighty Minion Nation at "the Ranch!"

BLOODY MARY? DON'T MIND IF I DO!

Belo News

January 25, 2014

Triple Nasty Rancho, Mi. - As dawn broke over the Gazelle Girl Estate,  bands of snow continued to travel through the hills and valleys of what has come to be known as the Triple Nasty Rancho.  Gazelle Girl and Toesetter began wondering if any brave Minions would make the trek to their abode to shishboom those "hills and valleys!"

Mean while, as our intrepid hero, the Sharkman opened his garage door at the Shark Cove he was taken aback by the amount of snow that had fallen overnight and the condition of his driveway!

Ski's at the ready!

Bissell Boy loves the snow!

It seems the old Shark had been up to Lansing the previous evening and had gotten home around 10:30 p.m. and his driveway was fine.  So he never looked out the window when he got up and was shocked to find what looked like at least 4 inches of new snow in the drive.  As he worked his way over to pick up his wing man, Yeti Boy, a dark cloud came over south Battle Creek and in the short mile to Yeti's, our hero drove through a couple of "white outs!"  Oh, the humanity!

He found Yeti Boy shoveling snow when he arrived and immediately commented that maybe he

should have brought the 4 wheel drive Honda Pilot instead of his Vibe/Sharkmobile!

Too late!

Yeti threw his ski's in the back of the Sharkmobile, along with a shovel just in case, and off they went to the Triple Nasty Rancho of Gazelle Girl and Toesetter!

For the most part, the roads were good until they got near the Rancho, where it looked as though any plow would be considered a foreign entity.

As the pair came upon the Rancho, it was apparent that good ole Toesetter had been out with the snow blower, as the drive was as clear of snow as a baby's butt.

As they parked in the drive, Toesetter was busy with the snow blower, touching up the remainder of the drive and a strong band of snow returned with a vengeance between sunshine blasts.

Brewman was ready to shishboom!

Soon, Brewman pulled in followed by Ranger Rick and his faithful K-9 companion, Scout, and Bissell Boy filled out the remainder of the shishbooming peloton.

As the Nation walked into the house, it was hard not to notice all the cool ski's, snow shoes and assorted winter toy's lined up along the back wall to the Triple Nasty Rancho.  With the snow coming in sideways, it looked like a winter wonderland!

Is this a great country or what!?!

Gazelle Girl had really put on the dog, with Deviled Eggs, fruit and bread, and these really cool cookie thingy's that were shaped in a ball, but with all these little stick like things sticking out, and man, they were delicious!  After Gazelle and Toesetter got everyone a Bloody Mary, Sharkman gave a toast to the opening of the 2014 season as Bissell Boy entertained the troop with several jokes.

Once fortified with goodies, the Nation headed out the door to strap on their ski's to hit the slopes.

After a round of photo's, autograph's were signed and Toesetter, in a very impressive pair of no-wax, back country ski's with cable bindings, headed out to break trail in the new snow.  Toesetter did yeoman duty breaking trail for the entire day! Believe it, the snow was DEEP!

A gathering of the Nation (around Bloody Mary's!)!

Scout, Ranger Ricks K-9 and Gummo, Gazelle Girls pup, became quick friends while both fell in love with Ranger Rick who threw them goodies from time to time.  Sharkman tried to get into the action but backed off after a couple of growls were diredted his way when he got to close to catching a treat in his mouth.

The entire peloton was amazed and not only how much land Gazelle Girl and Toesetter had behind the Rancho, but the great hills to ski on!  

Additionally, Gazelle Girl, who also had some pretty cool no-wax, back country ski's gave a pretty cool demonstration of "telemark" skiing down some of the major hills.  One very long, fast hill was so popular, the Nation did it three times though poor Sharkman had trouble with slippery ski's getting up the other side.

Bissell Boy entertains the Nation with a few jokes......

The shishbooming also included an interesting story by Gazelle Girl about a crashed truck, drugs, a motorcycle and a police chase that took place right in the very woods they were skiing in! Is this a great country or what?!?

After a couple of hours and 5 miles of hard skiing, the Nation returned to the homestead for even more Bloody Mary's, goodies and a tour of the Rancho by Toesetter, who is on hell of a cabinet maker!  

Toesetter had recently built a "Bike Room" for Gazelle Girl and was able to match wood that creates a gazelle in the grain of the would, which was amazing! The man is a woodworking savant!

After another round of Bloody Mary's and beer, the nation decided it was time to head home…..

Gazelle Girl gives a presentation on drug crashes and police chases!

Big thanks to Gazelle Girl and Toesetter for opening up the Triple Nasty Rancho to the Nation! It was a blast!

Sharkman had a bit of a problem with one of the hills
but does seem to have a cute behind, eh?

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Belo News

January 29, 2014

Shark Cove, Mi. - With the snow, it is a bit difficult to believe that the season will be here soon.  However, before we even get to that, there are some dates that every Minion needs to save for special events;

Saturday, February 22, 2014 - Zickman will be bringing back the famous "Pole2Pole" Race (aka P2P Race)!  Minions may remember that this event was cancelled last year because…well…there was not ice on Gull Lake.  That shouldn't be a problem this year, eh Bunkie?  This "race" goes from the flag pole in the yard at the Zickman Estate, to the flag pole at the Gull Lake Country Club across the lake.  Entrants can race on any non-motorized device the wish…..bike, ski, snow shoes, sled, by foot, whatever!  So stay tuned for more information on the return of this great race in February!

Friday night, February 28, 2014 - End of Winter Party at Team Active in Battle Creek!  This annual event is a must for any cyclist in the area.  

Saturday, March 8, 2014 - Tentative Opening Day for the Minion Nation (subject to change depending on weather and Sharkman's travel schedule….after all, it is his ride Bunkie!)