Hometown shirts, meet Jonathan, and join us in the 4th of July Parade!

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Shaun

The Company: Hometown News

Hometown Bicycles Apparel

You asked… and we delivered! Hometown Bicycles shirts are now available!

They come in gray, blue, and green, in a variety of sizes, including shirts for kids. $19.99 for the coolest shirt in town!

As you can see below, Tyler’s rocking his new Hometown shirt. And speaking of Tyler…

Tyler’s Tips
Our Service Manager, Tyler Ostrowski, will be sharing helpful tips to keep your bicycle in optimal condition. This week we asked him, “What’s a bad cycling habit people have?”

His reply: “Going for a bike ride without checking tire pressure.”

Another simple but effective tip that some people forget to do: Check your tire pressure before every ride. Refer to your specific tires for tire pressure info and be sure to fill ’em up! We carry Serfas Air Force pumps in the shop, or you can use an air compressor if you have the appropriate tire gauge. Stop by our service shop if you have questions about pumps, gauges, or how to locate the tire pressure information on your bike.

Meet Jonathan!

Our new Lead Service Writer started in early May — we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce him.

Jonathan is a Brighton resident who came to us with a Mechanical Engineering background. He’s a graduate of Kettering University and has worked at a variety of automotive companies, including Ford. He decided to join the Hometown crew because of the mechanical nature of the job, and we’re excited to have him as part of the team. In his free time, he enjoys working on model kits and tinkering with his 3D printers. Be sure to say hello and welcome Jonathan next time you pop in!

The Customer: Our Valued Hometownies

Some of our favorite Hometownies are the little ones who are developing bike skills and a love for cycling. And we love sharing OUR love of cycling with them!

We recently wrapped up a spring series of free Child Bicycle Safety Checks in neighborhoods throughout Livingston County. General Manager, Les Cook, spearheaded these events, where he spent a few Saturdays offering bike and helmet inspections to kids and their parents.

Thank you to Matt Bott from the Fisher’s Glen subdivision in Brighton for leaving this Google review complimenting our free community service:

“Great people with a true passion for cycling! Hometown set up a free kid’s Bike Safety Check in our neighborhood. They checked out my child’s bike, found some loose parts and corrected them. Helped adjust the seat to the proper ride height. Explained proper tire pressures for a ‘fat tire’ bike. And gave riding tips for trail riding. They were very willing to answer any and all questions. Just talking with them, you can tell that they are knowledgeable and passionate about cycling. They never tried to sell us on anything, they were more concerned about the kids being safe and having fun. The workers were even volunteering their own time to be there. This shows their dedication to the community and cycling. Truly a hometown shop (pun intended) just wanting to make a positive influence on the community.”

If your subdivision would like to participate in our Child Bicycle Safety Check program, contact Leslie Barrett, Events Coordinator, at events@myhometownbicycles.com to be added to our future schedule!

The Community: THIS WEEKEND…

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day
Sunday, June 13
10 AM – 2 PM
Brighton Recreation Area

Join in the 5th Annual Poto MBA Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day event (#TKMBD) –
This event is FREE for all ages to have fun and bike on the 2-mile beginner Appleton Lake Loop Trail. The much-loved bike skills course will be available; open to little ones on balance bikes to older riders who want to test their skills. Pre-registration is required HERE.

Hometown will also be on-site assisting with free bicycle and helmet checks!

Save the date!
Sunday, July 4
4th of July Parade

Ride with Hometown Bicycles and the Optimist Club in Brighton’s parade down Main Street, from Church Street to the high school. Decorate your bicycles, wear your Hometown colors, and join us as we fill the street with bikes of all shapes and sizes. More details coming soon!

The Industry: Summertime E-Bike Riding

Electric bicycle use is surging throughout the US, especially after a year of quarantines — people are antsy to get out and explore!

Camping sites, national and local parks, and hiking trails across the country are making modifications to accommodate those using e-bikes.

Here are some helpful tips if you’re planning to do some e-biking this season:

Choose the right e-bike for you. Metro e-bikes are better for those that do most of their riding in the city, while electric mountain bikes or fat tire e-bikes are a better option for those who spend more time on trails or riding in sandy or deep soil conditions.
Get to know your e-bike. Spend some time practicing in an empty parking lot, cul de sac, or open field before you hit the crowded bike lanes or trails.
Be prepared. E-bike riders tend to go further and stay out longer, so be sure to pack the essentials — water, sunscreen, and a first aid kit, for example.
Ride defensively. Be aware of your surroundings — blind turns, puddles of unknown depth, and, of course, cars.

To learn more about the different types of e-bikes, check out this guide from Electrek.

Next time you come by the shop, pick up your copy of the League of Michigan Bicyclists 2021 Michigan Ride Calendar. 15 pages packed with details about cycling events across the state!