NEXT TUESDAY (9/19): L.N.O.
With just days to go before our Ladies Night Out (L.N.O.) at Hometown Bicycles on Tuesday, September 19th from 6-9pm, here’s a reminder why you’ll absolutely love this event:
1) Enjoy a “night off the clock.”
2) Meet other active women.
3) Experience a new level of flattering, comfortable, and women-specific cycle wear.
Read more HERE, or let your hair down and just go for it!! You deserve this!!

TEAM NEWS: ADDISON OAKS & PEDAL TO BEER
Shout out to Team Hometownie, John Wyatt, who recently enjoyed (seriously… check out his smile!) the fast and flowy trails of Addison Oaks Fall Classic 2017 cross country bike race. He finished in a respectable 7th place out of 25 riders in his Sport division. You did your Hometown peeps proud, John!
And a note for all you riders who think bikes and beer were a match made in heaven… be sure to check out the upcoming MCMBA’s Pedal to Beer Brewery Tour. Helmet tip to Team Hometownie Jean Steinberg for bringing this little gem to our attention!
I STAND VERY CORRECTED…
It would appear that this newsletter correspondent didn’t do her due diligence when it came to last week’s feature on cycle-bound adventurer, Dick Janson. With a note of apology and a salute to his good humor, let me see if I can put the record straight…
Dick is NOT a member – board or otherwise – of the LMB, but harbors an appreciation for their good works. And he would be hard pressed to cycle the rideable roads of all 83 Michigan counties… at least not in one lifetime! His adventures tend toward day trips that fan out from his home base. I guess Dick is simply the sort of person who comes across larger than life. Even without my unintentional embellishments, he’s a credit to the cycling community. Glad you swung by our shop, Dick!
HOMETOWN BICYCLES APPLE ORCHARD RIDE
Cider, donuts, bikes, beer… this ride has got it GOING ON! Organized by Team Captain, Jim Cleer, this casual fun ride is a must-do for fellow cider mill junkies!
We’ll roll at 8am on September 23rd from the Block Brewing Company in Howell (1140 S. Michigan Ave.), and pedal scenic back roads to Parshallville Cider Mill. Then it’s on to Markillie Orchard for a cider-and-donut top-off before looping back ’round to the brewery. This no-drop ride is about 35 miles of predominantly dirt roads. We’ll be riding a brisk, conversational pace (think 12-16mph). Come with “WAM” (Walking Around Money!) to enjoy refreshments at each stop. Ride updates be found HERE. Cider fiends, let’s ride!
BE A HERO! BECOME A MOUNTAIN BIKE PATROLLER
Earlier this year, the upstanding group of outstanding individuals pictured above met at Hometown Bicycles for an intense course in helping riders in distress. Hosted by the MCMBA, the National Mountain Bike Patrol training used our Community Room for classroom education, and our backyard trail for hands-on learning.
MCMBA’s Randy Kessler will be running a second Mountain Bike Patrol training at our shop on September 23rd from 10am-3pm. Click HERE to learn more and to register for this gallant group!
HAMBURG FITNESS CENTER HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO
For all of you who will NOT be riding with us at Poses, Pedals & Pints (P3) on September 30th, here’s a free and family-friendly event that’s an absolute blast, run the same day by Team Sponsor, Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp. We LOVE their annual Health & Fitness Expo, and are bummed to be missing out on the fun this year (since we’re the “Pedal” portion of P3).
You do NOT have to be a member to attend!!The public is welcome to enjoy everything from raffles, health and spinal screenings, to massage, laser therapy, kids activities, and special class demos for Cardio Drumming, Aikido Martial Arts, Piyo, PILOXING Barre, and IntenSati. It’s all about giving you the tools to live longer and stronger… and to have fun doing it! CLICK HERE for details.
POSES, PEDALS & PINTS: A FEW SPOTS REMAINING!!
Based out of Downtown Brighton’s beautiful Brewery Becker, this Saturday, September 30th 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. Only a few spot left… hurry!
REGISTER NOW FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – FALL EDITION
(Feelin’ the love in this super-sweet message from Sunday Gravel Grinder riders to their healing ride leader, Brian Forhan. Golly, our Hometownies are something special!)
HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES
SATURDAY TOUR DE LIVINGSTON PREP RIDE (9/16)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hometown Bicycles
*** FINAL PREP RIDE! TOUR DE LIVINGSTON IS OCTOBER 8TH! ***
This is the last in the series of weekly rides that spanned 10 – 15 miles to help riders build up to this year’sTour de Livingston. Route is 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 (9/17)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
A holiday weekend can’t put a stopper on these gravel road warriors! We’re up to nearly 36 miles with approx. 2,000′ of climb (which, for MI, is a TON of climb!) on beautiful and EXTREMELY hilly country roads (and limited pavement) – all with wonderful ride companions! This is an intermediate/advanced ride (check out Tuesday’s Gravel Grinding 101 for a less grueling option.) Expect several long, tough climbs at a MINIMUM 14-15 MPH 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 (9/17)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a Beginner Friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. This week, we’ll be exploring 9 – 15 miles of the Island Lake Mountain Bike trails. Save 1.5 hours of your day to ride with the Hometown crew. All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged to join this ride. You can find this Facebook event here.
MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (9/18)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:00PM (meet at 5:45) 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. Stay tuned to Facebook for ride updates!
*** TUESDAY (9/19) – LADIES NIGHT OUT AT HOMETOWN (NO RIDE) ***
From 6-9pm at the shop – REGISTER HERE!
This event marks the transition from our weekly, Tuesday Women’s Road Ride, to our weekly, Tuesday Women’s Fitness Adventures! With the days growing shorter, we’ll be shifting our cycling activities to a variety of fun classes, including everything from women-only cardio drumming, hot yoga, and spinning to women-only trail walk/runs, trampoline fitness, and a bike fitting seminar. You’ll learn more about these classes at Ladies Night Out which, for a nominal charge, treats you to a yoga class, wine tasting, trunk show, giveaways, and discounts on all women’s products. REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND!
TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE (9/19)
6:00PM (meet at 5:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join Hometown service guru, Dan ‘CycloDan’ Tribble, for this unique, gravel grinding adventure ride. **It’s time to start bringing lights!!** 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 (9/20)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:00PM (meet at 5:45) 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!
SON OF HAMMERFEST:
**For those that would like to build up to the original Hammerfest** Also rolling at 6:00pm, this ride includes 25 miles (1 lap of ILRA & the Kensington Loop). Average pace targeted at 17 – 18 mph, with flats of 20+ mph. Check Facebook for ride updates.
THURSDAY SOCIAL MORNING ROAD RIDE (9/21)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
This conversational morning ride will find us exploring Island Lake’s beautiful 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 Facebook for ride confirmation/changes due to weather.
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 6:00PM
$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
… Every mile a memory…
– Dierks Bentley