GIVE YOUR BIKE GURUS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE…
You’re about to read a newsletter brimming over with inspirational content that, in the grand scheme of life, makes the following “ask” seem rather unimportant. But know that your faith in our shop and your – dare-we-say-it? – fanaticism for “the Hometown experience” inspires the *heck* out of US, and that’s no small thing!
So please, take a moment to share your loyalty via a vote or, better still, a stream of votes (you can now VOTE EVERY HOUR!) – in this year’s Vote 4 the Best competition (CLICK HERE).
Voting closes August 13th. Your support means the world to us!
TEAM NEWS: JERSEY TAKEOVER AT TREE FARM
The Novi Tree Farm Relay is a perennial hit with our Team, crew, and customers and, this year, we’re sending four teams of four Team Hometownies on this whirlwind, beginner mountain bike endurance race.
That’s a lotta Hometown jerseys ripping it up on this 10-mile, hill-encrusted, fast course!
Cheer us on this Saturday, July 22nd at Lakeshore Park in Novi, or gather up 3 of your cycling buddies and throw your own helmets into the ring!
(Photo credits: Paula Zimmer)
PAULA’S JOURNEY
Can you remember a profound moment in your life – made more profound for it coming unexpectedly?
Yesterday, I met “profound” at the register in the form of a remarkable customer who was prepping for a cycling journey that had nothing to do with mileage. In our chance conversation, I learned that Paula Zimmer, while successfully battling cancer, lost her husband to the same disease just a year ago. She finds solace in writing and cycling, and is taking her touring bike – a handsome, midnight blue, Jamis Aurora named “Auriel” – East to deliver her husband’s final ashes.
Paula has created a grief blog – a “Glog” – to journal about her metaphorical and cycling journey, and has generously allowed me to share it with you. I suspect it will resonate with many.
I’m particularly honored to have been included in her recent post (yep, I caught that, Paula!) All of us at Hometown wish you the adventure of a lifetime, and success pinning down that elusive “simplicity”.
You can follow Paula’s story HERE and, believe me, it will move you.
AMY’S BLOG: JULY 20, 2017
On the topic of inspirational blogs, here’s the latest from a woman who regularly competed in top-tier IRONMAN races, nearly lost her life after getting hit by a gravel truck, and just nailed a 10 mile run on a “fake knee and femur” because she’s intensely and personally driven to return to IRONMAN:
While training for my October ½ marathon, I need to get in some long runs. So, on Friday, July 14 – a pleasant, sunny, cool-ish (70 degree) day – I decided it was time to re-attempt my 10 mile run, which had been rained out the day before… Earlier, I had received a fabulous secret from one of my Ultra runner friends. (Ultra runners are people who run races longer than a marathon.) This is a great secret for anybody coming back from an injury, or trying to ramp up their mileage (or, in my case, both)! The secret is… READ ON
Amy’s full blogs are posted HERE on our website.
HEATHER’S STORY
We meet the most amazing people at Hometown! Heather Pierson of Body Within Personal Training recently ran a free Fresh Air Fitness class just for Hometownies on our shop’s front lawn, with great results. Her participants finished up stoked and inspired. And we can understand why!
Heather herself has a highly motivating story – clinically obese and unhealthy, Heather not only successfully shed over 70 lbs with the help of the Body Within team, she ultimately became a part of it, so that she could help others make THEIR goals come true!
LEARN ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A HOMETOWNIE
For you long-time Hometownies out there, the name Jill Gautherat may ring a bell. Jill and her husband Steve took on a 500 mile cycling challenge from Hometown back in 2011… and succeeded!
Jill is now offering classes in Young Living Essential Oils, and is bringing her seminar to Hometown’s Community Room this Sunday, July 23rd from 2pm-3:30pm.
No registration required – everyone is welcome.
REGISTER NOW FOR DOC MAY MELON RIDE ON 8/19
Hometown’s been proud to be the ongoing sponsor of this charming and delicious, Doc May Memorial Melon Ride on Saturday, August 19th at 9am.
Our Team and Crew marks off the route, leads off and mans the ride, provides on-site SAG support, and also offers bike valet service until 2pm, so you can enjoy the Festival without worrying about your two-wheeled babies!
Now’s the time to lock in your registration – which gives you a chance to win the sweet Jamis cruiser bike that we’ve donated to the cause! REGISTER NOW!
HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES
SATURDAY TOUR DE LIVINGSTON PREP RIDE (7/22)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come grow with this weekly ride as we start with 10 – 15 miles and stretch the distance week by week. Route will be on the park roads. Road bikes are preferred for this ride. All level riders are welcome. 12 – 15 mph pace, 1.5 hours. Follow this Facebook event for updates.
SUNDAY HARTLAND GRAVEL GRINDER (7/23)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
We’re bumping up the mileage! We’re up to nearly 36 miles with approx. 2,000′ of climb on beautiful country roads (and limited pavement) – all with wonderful ride companions! Expect a 13-15 MPH “NO DROP” pace. Cross/Gravel, Mountain, and Fat bikes are welcome. Meet in the lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353. Click here for this Facebook event.
SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (7/23)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a Beginner Friendly mountain bike trail ride which encourages riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases! This week, we’ll explore 9 – 15 miles of the Island Lake Mountain Bike trails. All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. We do ask that riders under 15 remain with their guardian throughout the ride. Be mindful that the trail has several hills and some minimum level of fitness will be helpful to make for a positive experience for this planned 1.5 hour ride. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged to join this ride. You can find this Facebook event here.
MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (7/24)
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. Click to check out the Facebook event page!
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 (7/25)
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. Check here for ride updates.
WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST (no Son of Hammerfest this week) (7/26)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
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! Details can be found here.
WEDNESDAY SLOW ROLL WITH HOMETOWN (7/26)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
It’s time to dial it back on this social, slow paced road ride (~ 8-10 mph). If you have a need-for-speed, this is NOT the ride for you! Bring your cruiser or whatever you like as we Slow Roll down sidewalks and streets. Expect to cross Grand River, possibly a couple climbs/descents, and beautiful park landscape. May not be suitable for young, unseasoned kids. Parents, please decide what is safe for your family, as there are no lights or designated crosswalks for Grand River or Academy. This is a NO DROP ride. Check HERE for ride details.
THURSDAY SOCIAL MORNING ROAD RIDE (7/27)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come check out the Thursday Social A.M. Road ride as we hit the back entrance to Island Lake and explore the park roads. The plan this week is to ride 1-1.5 hours at a 10 mph average pace. Ride whatever bike will work for the pace and your desired exercise level. This is a NO DROP ride. Check HERE for ride details.
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 | Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 6:45PM
$5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more
DYNAMIC YOGA | Coming soon!
$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
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
– Mariah-Danu
