Choose Your Own Adventure… er, Products!
LET US KNOW WHAT REVS YOUR RIDE We like to call Hometown Bicycles the shop that was built BY the people, FOR the people. Your loyalty and patronage is what got us to where we are today, and helps drive our decision making for Hometown’s ongoing evolution!
Along the way, you’ve been giving us feedback on product you’d like to see in our shop. Awesome! We’ve been connecting with new vendors who can help us meet your needs.
Over the coming months, we’ll be inviting new vendors to demo their products at our shop, so that you can meet the reps and scope out the products you’ve been asking for. Pay attention to our newsletters for these opportunities, and keep a weather eye out for the occasional survey to help us understand what you like best.
We’ve always been YOUR bike shop. Let’s take that to the next level!
TEAM NEWS: CRUSHING IT AT TREE FARM!
Team Hometown Bicycles returned home from last weekend’s Novi Tree Farm Relay in a blaze of glory! Not just four, but FIVE teams of four sported the Hometown jersey (when they weren’t in costume) – the sea of Hometown participation was, in and of itself, glory-worthy. But there were also 3 Team podiums to celebrate – first places, all!
FIRST PLACE – COSTUME DIVISION (above, top)
Congrats, Cobra Kai (who moonlight as Hometown Bicycles crew), Tim Bart, Colin Woods, Rocco Mularoni, and Andrew Jackson!
FIRST PLACE – CO-ED DIVISION (above, bottom right)
Helmets off to the lightspeed pedal power of Olga “The Romanian Rocket” Negrut, Doug Queener, Justin Hamm, and John Wyatt!
FIRST PLACE – MEN’S SPORT CLASS (above, bottom left)
Kudos on some pretty slick speed work from Matt Maximoff (a Team Sponsor), Scott Simpson, Brandon Bailey, and Aaron Smith!
We were also proud to be represented by the great sportsmanship of Paul Andres, Bryan Beach, Leslie Cook, Michael Dyer, Roger Pelkey, Steve Steinberg, Jim Thompson, and Linc Wehrly. Trail conditions started off sloppy, and progressively dried, so an additional shout out to the trailblazers who took one for their teams in the form of mud-encrusted bikes and gear. We happen to know a great place for getting your bikes cleaned and back to fighting fit… just sayin’!
PLEASE VOTE HOURLY THROUGH AUGUST 13TH!
SINGLES RIDE: WHO’S IN??
Matchmaker, matchmaker, pedal me a match… it’s said that one of the best ways to meet a special someone is by sharing a common interest. Call me a romantic, but I think that the combination of pedal-powered locomotion, fresh air, good company, and mutual helmet hair creates prime conditions for the warm fuzzies. My husband and I met over bikes!
Matchmakers, we are not, but we can at least set the stage for possibility! Please help us gauge interest in a Singles Ride* by completing an easy-peasy, 5-question, Singles Ride survey HERE. Thanks for your input, single Hometownies!
*This ride would be for single men and women, ages 18 and older.
POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – FALL EDITION: IT’S A GO!!
Good news… no, FANTASTIC news!! The uber-successful yoga-bike-beer event that we supported this past Spring has been resurrected for a round 2 on Saturday, September 30th.
Based out of Downtown Brighton’s beautiful Brewery Becker, this event opens with beginner-friendly yoga, courtesy of event coordinator Tocca Massage & Yoga, follows up with a scenic and recreational bike ride with Hometown Bicycles (new route!), and ends with a long, cool pull from the taps of Brewery Becker.
Registration is limited to 50, so if you missed out last time, be sure to hit the link below, like, IMMEDIATELY!
REGISTER NOW FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – FALL EDITION
21 DAYS OF ACTIVE PLAY FAMILY CHALLENGE
Fitness… Family time… Fun… Now, that’s a program we can throw some rpm behind! Here’s the scoop:
More than $2,000 in prizes are up for grabs, and all you have to do is PLAY!
Sky Zone Brighton, Hometown Bicycles, and Body Within Personal Training have teamed up to bring you the FREE 21 Days of Active Play Challenge. We are challenging Livingston County families to commit to 21 Days of Active Play this August. From going on walks together, to riding bikes, to jumping around on trampolines, families will pledge to spend a minimum of one hour per day being active.
Registration is open NOW through August 3rd. The Challenge begins August 4th.
Be sure to read up on the amazing prizes, mid-challenge incentives, and final wrap up party. You’ll find details and a registration link HERE.
AMY’S BLOG: JULY 27, 2017
Here’s your latest race update from Hometown’s Amy Gluck, an IRONMAN competitor who nearly lost her life after getting hit by a gravel truck, and is now intensely and personally driven to overcome her new physical challenges, and the naysayers who say she can’t, all the way back to IRONMAN:
I pushed hard on my road bike during the race. Between not setting up my Garmin correctly and a non-functioning speedometer (I’d switched up wheels a number of times), I had to wait until after the race to find out that I had biked 3:16 faster at the Pterodactyl triathlon than I had at the Triceratops triathlon. Yeah, road bike!… READ ON
Amy’s full blogs are posted HERE on our website.
MEET YOUR CREW: COLIN WOOD
Colin makes an art of being helpful. He’s studious, he’s polite, he’s intelligent, he’s friendly, and he’s scary fast on a bike! Many a customer have commented on Colin’s charisma on the sales floor. He’s carried on the tradition of equating the name “Wood” to overall awesomeness, as started in Hometown’s early years by his brother Austin. We’ll sure miss him when he heads off to college! Here’s Colin’s story:
I was 8 years old the first time my father took me mountain biking. Since then, I have gone from closing my eyes every time I get near a tree, to competing at the highest level within Michigan. My sophomore year of high school, I joined the Brighton Cycling Club. That year I finished as the 2nd place overall JV racer in the State. I was hooked. This past season I finished 3rd place in the Varsity Points series, as well as claiming victory at my home course, Island Lake. This fall I will be attending Colorado School of Mines to study Mechanical Engineering. While at Mines, I plan on racing for their cycling team. Working at Hometown has provided me with the ability to be around my favorite type of people, cyclists, and has given me the knowledge of everything bike related.
WISHING YOU SPEEDY RECOVERIES, BRIAN AND MEL!
Team Hometown’s Mel Robinson and his trusty recumbent are regulars at shop rides and events. This kind soul and avid cyclist is currently on the mend from open heart surgery. Mel, we just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery – can’t wait to see you back on your bike!
Another heal-quickly shout out goes to a man who has religiously gone above and beyond in service of Team Hometown Bicycles and the shop. This one’s for Team Captain, Brian Forhan, whose pending back surgery puts him out of outdoor cycling for the remainder of the season. Brian, if you get itchy legs, know that you’re welcome at the shop any time for bike talk, beer, and other cycling geekery!
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
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.
SATURDAY TOUR DE LIVINGSTON PREP RIDE (7/29)
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 (7/30)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
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 (7/30)
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 (7/31)
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 (8/1)
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) (8/2)
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 Island Lake roads. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph! Check Facebook for ride updates.
WEDNESDAY SLOW ROLL WITH HOMETOWN (8/2)
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 BAKERY SOCIAL MORNING ROAD RIDE (8/3)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Wal-Mart in New Hudson – **Special start location!**
It was fun, so we’re going to do it again! Bring along your wallet for a tasty treat or coffee as we pedal to a Bakery via the rails-to-trails system. It will be a 5-mile, ~10 mph pace, relatively hill-free ride. Does include a busy road crossing. Ride whatever bike will work for the pace and your desired exercise level for this NO DROP ride. Follow along on Facebook for ride updates.
Meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot – take the entrance right off Lyon Center Drive between the Wal-Mart/Lowe’s, turn right, and stay closest to the Lyon Center Drive end of the parking lot.
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 | Fridays – August 4, 11 & 18
$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
As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.
– Winnie the Pooh
