PATRIOTISM, GENEROSITY, CAMARADERIE & GOOD TIMES
Last weekend, we pioneered an event that combined the best of it all! Our property was packed with a perfect blend of pro-Community, big-hearted, and upliftingly friendly local businesses and organizations. Relationships were forged, prizes won, adventures had and, to cap it all off, a flag raised to honor our remarkable Country.
Photos of the event – including vendors, activities, winners, and more – are scattered across our Facebook page, and you can catch bonus pics on our July Jubilee album. But you know I wouldn’t leave you pictureless here…
Congratulations to the many, MANY winners of our giant July Jubilee prize drawing! And a world of thanks to the wonderful July Jubilee participants below. These are locals who embody the spirit of integrity, kindness, and Community. Please support them, and let them know you’re a Hometownie!
 
  |
 
|
|
|
|---|
(Photo courtesy Jim Cleer)
TEAM NEWS: A RAMBLING RIVER-SIDE RIDE
Famous for its ferry ride, Island loop, unbeatable SAG support, and breathtaking river views, it’s not hard to be jealous of Team Hometown riders Jim Cleer and Tom Hermann, who enjoyed every minute of Algonac, Michigan’s famous Blue Water Ramble.
RIDING BRIGHTON’S 4TH OF JULY PARADE
A large swarm of glittering, whirling, and patriotically colored kids bicycles were led off by Shaun and Liam, astride a Nirve Kilroy at Downtown Brighton’s Fourth of July Parade. This cheerful, kid-centric parade entry in the annual festivities, along with a Bike Decorating Contest held immediately prior, were hosted and run by the wonderful folks at Brighton Optimist Club.
Hometown had the honor of helping promote, transport, judge, and join in the parade fun… all in the line of duty, of course! Do we have the most fun job in the world? Why, yes… yes we do!!
(Congratulations to the winners of the Brighton Optimist Club Fourth of July Bike Decorating Contest!)
SAFE CYCLING FOR PINT-SIZED CYCLISTS
Every year, Hometown Bicycles enjoys the privilege and pleasure of instructing elementary-age riders to cycle safely via Brighton Safety Town. And every year, we get excited all over again by the joy these mini-cyclists so evidently take in our favorite sport!
This year is no exception, with droves of pedaling tykes looping eagerly through the course we set up in Hilton Elementary’s parking lot. Can’t wait for the next Safety Town on Tuesday morning – hope to see you and your kidlets there!
JULY 18: FRESH AIR FITNESS COMES TO HOMETOWN
Q: What would you say to a FREE, outdoor fitness class at Hometown Bicycles?
A: SIGN ME UP!!!
Team Sponsor, Body Within, is generously offering a complimentary Fresh Air Fitness class right here at Hometown on Tuesday, July 18th at 5:45pm. Runs about 45 minutes.
Fresh Air Fitness from Body Within is a fast-paced class that will get you ready to ride! It provides outdoor training that includes cardio intervals, upper and lower body strength training, core conditioning, and ends with a muscle-easing stretch. Come ready to work out with a bottle (or two) of water and a mat or a large towel to lie on. Everything else you need for a great workout will be waiting for you! FREE FOR HOMETOWNIES, but class is limited to 10!
Questions? Give Jenny a call at (517) 304-2282. Ready to sign up before this free class fills up? CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!
AMY’S BLOG: JULY 7, 2017
Hometown’s Amy Gluck taps on her years of top-level IRONMAN training and competition, and the life-altering accident that put her passion to the test, to share a soul-stirring blog about her recovery, training triumphs and challenges, and her personal mission to get back to IRONMAN. From her 7/7/17 installment:
Learn my lesson, so you don’t wind up sacrificing your own race! Make sure you get your bike checked over before your next event. While I was racing, my chain fell off my large chain ring 5 times! After the 4th time, I decided to just put it on the small chain ring to get going. Was finally able to shift back to the large chain ring and finish out the ride without it falling off again. At the Triceratops Triathlon, I averaged 19.0 mph on my bike. YEAH!! After hopping off my bike 5 times, I was still able to beat my average at the Island Lake Triathlon… READ ON
Amy’s full blogs are posted HERE on our website.
HOMETOWN KICKS OFF TOUR DE LIVINGSTON KICK-OFF
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest dawned bright, and sunny, and packed with bicycles for the Tour de Livingston’s Kick-Off Ride from the County Courthouse. We shut down the shop for the morning, so that Hometown Team and crew members could all join in on leading off this yearly Tour teaser in tandem with the balloon launches.
October will be here before you know it (you know I speak truth!), so be sure to REGISTER NOW for THE BEST and most scenic Fall ride in our Community! Also, join us for weekly Tour de Livinston Prep Rides, starting Saturday, July 15th from your favorite bike shop!
(Photos above courtesy Howell Rotary. Team Hometown riders at left. One of the 10 bikes we’ve donated to this year’s Tour de Livingston, center. And we’re super proud of Team Hometown’s Joe Ostervik at right, a Tour de Livingston Jersey Rider!)
(Image at left courtesy Matt Thompson)
MEET THE CREW: MATT THOMPSON
When you head back to the Service Shop, odds are you’ll be greeted by a friendly “hello!” from Hometown’s impressively personable Service Tech, Matt Thompson. Matt is a natural at making everyone feel welcome, and he has a knack for sharing his love of cycling. Matt says:
I started Mountain Biking when I first moved to Michigan. Its’ always been one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. Nothing could ever replace the feeling after a good ride for me. Joining the Hometown crew has just made me love the sport more, and connected me with people who feel the same way. Biking is one of the best ways to keep your body and mind healthy. I encourage everyone to go ride, because cycling has changed my life forever.
HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES
SUNDAY HARTLAND GRAVEL GRINDER (7/9)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
Scenic, very HILLY dirt roads with a few miles of pavement for connectors. Expect to venture across a changing route of 25 to 40 miles at a 13 – 15 mph pace. (Did I mention it was hilly?) All types of bikes are welcome on this NO DROP RIDE. Hartland Twp. Hall lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353
SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (7/9)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Beginner friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. Expect to venture out past Island Lake throughout the season to Brighton’s Murray Lake, Milford, Maybury, and Waterloo’s DTE Trail. If Poto is your goal, this is the weekly ride to get you there by the end of the season! Save 1.5 hours of your day to cover 12 – 16 miles of trail with the Hometown crew. NO DROP RIDE.
MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (7/10)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Come join the Hometown Bicycles crew for this NO DROP ride. Road bikes only please. We’ll ride Island Lake roads to the well-known “Green Dumpster” and back – approx 12 – 15 miles. Those ready for more will group up to take on more mileage! Expect a 12 – 17+ mph pace to accommodate riders’ skill levels. All levels are welcome – we’ll split into groups according to experience and speed, with a sweep to bring up the rear.
Please make sure you have some experience riding the bike you bring to this ride and are comfortable with the way it handles, including basic shifting and braking, for the safety of all. Beyond that, our friendly ride support are delighted to share tips on how to make the hills easier and the flats faster – just ask!
TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE (7/11)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Join Hometown service guru, Dan ‘CycloDan’ Tribble, for this unique, gravel grinding adventure ride. We’ll tackle road, singletrack, and gravel, including portions of Island Lake, hopping a guardrail, sand “puddles”, and a few hills just for fun! Plan for just over an hour, covering 13+ miles at a 12 – 13 mph average pace. Gravel, adventure, or mountain/fat bikes required (not appropriate for skinny tires). All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE.
WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST / SON OF HAMMERFEST (7/12)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
SON OF HAMMERFEST:
Rolling at 6:30 from Hometown Bicycles. This will include 25 miles (1 lap of ILRA & the Kensington Loop). Average pace targeted at 17 – 18 mph, with flats of 20+ mph.
HAMMERFEST:
Bring your “A” game, and see if you can stay on this crazy train of talented individuals as they push each other to find new limits. You’ll want the fastest road bike you own, as the pace averages 20 mph through 2 laps (40 miles) of the roads of Island Lake. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph!
THURSDAY MORNING SOCIAL RIDE (7/13)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us as we explore our local park roads, paved paths and this week – a bakery! All bikes welcome. Expect to average 10 mph for 1.5+ hours as we cover 13 – 18 miles. NO DROP RIDE.
For ALL SHOP RIDES, be sure to FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK for ride confirmations and updates!
(Photo cred: Yoga pic at left courtesy Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga)
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN
Hey, Hometownies! Mark your calendars for these fantastic fitness programs running right here at your favorite bike shop:
CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:45PM
$5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more
DYNAMIC YOGA | Wednesdays at 9:00AM (starting July 12)
$10 drop in – With Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more
ZUMBA | Mondays at 6PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more
If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.
– Frank A. Clark
