FIRST PLACE FEELS AWESOME!!! The 2019 Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best contest ran from mid-June through mid-July, giving members of the Greater Detroit area the ability to nominate and cast votes for their favorite businesses in a variety of categories. Winners were announced the week of July 22-26th and the public has indeed spoken! HOMETOWN BICYCLES WON BEST BIKE SHOP!
We are humbled and proud to be your #1 bicycle shop, out of so many in the running, and can’t thank you enough for your support and votes!
If you haven’t yet visited our shop, make sure to stop in. Say hi, join us on a shop ride, bring your bike in for service, check out our crazy fun bike-related items in the gifts and novelties area, or attend one of our upcoming classes or events!
Speaking of classes, guess what? Our Events Coordinator and in-shop Zumba instructor, Leslie Barrett, took second place in the Zumba Fitness category! This is a pretty big honor for her as an independent instructor not affiliated with a studio or gym — she was up against some pretty big competition. Congratulations, Leslie!
Thank you Hometownies for making us #1 — now get those voting fingers ready for next year!
Meet Paul Wrona – the newest member of our Hometown crew!
Tell us about your new role at Hometown. What are some of your goals for the shop?
My new role is Service Lead. My mission is to make things smoother-easier-faster for the service techs and, at the same time, provide better, more consistent customer experiences. The service team does a fantastic job with diagnosing and solving problems. I want that to come through even more to the customers, so they can appreciate how knowledgeable and awesome the guys really are!
How long have you been part of Team Hometown Bicycles, our cycling team? What’s your favorite part of being on the Team?
I am a new member this year. The best part is the camaraderie of the group rides. I’ve met so many great people this year. My addiction to cycling started 4 years ago when I moved to Brighton and rode the Murray Lake Trail for the first time. Life hasn’t been the same since.
Favorite ride or race in Michigan?
I have not participated in a race… yet. My favorite ride so far was the Tour deTroit. I’m from there originally so it was nice to go back and ride some of the old neighborhoods. Looking forward to the gravel route of the Tour de Livingston this fall!
Tell us something random about you, that we wouldn’t know otherwise.
I’m a SciFi and Space geek – Everything from the Apollo program to SpaceX and Phillip K Dick to Neal Stephenson
Coffee drinker? How do you take your coffee?
Um… I can’t stand coffee. Is that allowed?
Baylerian’s Bagels, Bikes & Brew:
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical TherapySunday, August 11 from 9 AM-1 PM
Join Team Hometown Bicycles’ Title Sponsor, Vinnie Baylerian, for a morning chock full of fun. Kick things off at Pro-Motion Physical Therapy with coffee and bagels, head out on a guided bike ride, and wind down after at Brewery Becker.
This will be a 16-mile mixed road and gravel ride. There will be two groups for the ride: An A group for faster riders and B group for everyone else! Team Hometown’s Jack Riddle will lead the A group and Vinnie Baylerian will lead the B group. Check out the route!
New! For our hard core gravel riders, join Jack for a bonus/optional 30-mile pre-ride at 7 AM.
Express your interest HERE!
Shaun advocates for the Livingston County Transit Master Plan!
Team Hometown member, Neal Glazebrook, Vice Chair of the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, invited our very own Shaun Bhajan to speak at this past Monday’s Livingston County Board of Commissioners Meeting.
The Coalition is seeking full implementation of the Livingston County Transit Master Plan. Read it HERE!
“Without the full plan in place, the transit system, including connector trails and bike paths, will likely never come to fruition,” states Neal. “I am helping represent the biking component and other leaders represent segments such as seniors, veterans, and the disabled. There is positive momentum in the county right now and we need to continue to push forward.”
Shaun did a beautiful job presenting to the Board of Commissioners. His comments really struck home with the people there, and a few attendees thanked him for his insightful addition to the pro-Transit Master Plan conversation. You go, Shaun!
Women’s Entrepreneurship: FREE Fitness Forum!
Thursday, August 22 from 6-8 PM
Our fabulously informative Women’s Entrepreneurship Series continues, this time with a focus on FITNESS.
For new fitness professionals and business owners in the fitness industry (as well as those considering this career path), come spend the evening with inspirational fitness women who will share their business journeys via a panel discussion. Be sure to bring your questions!
There will be food, there will be fun, and there will be fellowship with like-minded women!
Topics to be covered:
- Where should I teach?
- What should I expect in terms of startup cost?
- What is my target client base, and how do I find them?
- How do I increase attendance?
- What are the best ways to market myself?
- When do I throw in the towel and when should I persevere?
- Competitors — friends or foes?
- And much more!
SIGN UP HERE!
Meet our first guest speaker, Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer, Jenny Schild with Body Within!
Jenny holds a personal training certification from American Council on Exercise (ACE) and YogaFit certifications. Her specialty is getting people started!
Yoga, weight training, mountain biking, and long distance running are a few of Jenny’s favorite activities. She never lets her workouts get boring. “I train myself using many different modes. This is reflected in the way I design workouts for my clients.”
“I am truly blessed to have a job where I help people realize their potential.” states Jenny.
We are super thrilled to have Jenny on our panel of experts for this event! Stay tuned next week for the reveal of our next guest speaker.
Upcoming Events at Hometown!
We have all sorts of good things brewing at the shop and in the community — mark your calendars for one or all of the following!
Work Out to Benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Monday, August 5 from 6-7 PM
Join Cardio Drumming’s Martha Soraruf and Zumba’s Leslie Barrett for a donation-based class to raise money for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. No set class fee; just donate what you’d like. All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Intro to Mountain Biking
Wednesday, August 7 from 6-8 PM
Spring Mill Pond, Island Lake Recreation Area
Calling all beginners! Looking for a new biking experience that goes beyond paved paths? Join the park Explorer Guide, Becca, and Team Hometown Bicycles to gain the basics of this exciting recreation activity! FREE event! Come prepared with helmet, closed-toed shoes, and your own bike. Ages 12 and up. All children under 18 must have an adult present.
Gravel Ride + Monkey Loob Mixer
Wednesday, August 14 from 6-9 PM
Join us for a 13-mile Gravel Ride around and through Island Lake and back to the shop! We will then have a Monkey Loob Mixer — demonstration, Q&A about this amazing product, and time to socialize with Lyndsay Stiles, competitive mountain biker and inventor and owner of Monkey Loob, with fellow cyclists.
In Team Hometown News…
There was an excellent showing by Team Hometown at the 14th Annual Tree Farm Relay on Saturday, July 27th!
Left to right: Congrats to Olga Brinduse, John Wyatt, Doug Queener and Joe Ostervik for their podium finish in Coed Sport!
Sponsored by the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA), Tree Farm Relay is a unique 4-person team relay race. The course features lots of hills and passing zones — mega fun!
It’s a perfect race for the beginner looking to see what team/endurance racing is all about and for experienced racers looking to test their skills against rival teams.
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM and Saturdays 9:45 AM$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more
Power 30 | Wednesdays 7 PM
$5 drop in – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more
Zumba | Mondays 6 PM and Thursdays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more
Zumba GOLD | Fridays 9:30 AM and Sundays 10:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more
Sati Yoga | Tuesdays 6:30 PM beginning August 13
$7 drop in – With Dawn Gaden, RYT | Click to learn more
Les shares: “Had a wonderful time teaching kids about bike safety. Sheriff Mike Murphy was even there to support us and the kids!”
