Hometown Bicycles

THANK YOU

It is with the greatest appreciation that we thank you for voting us “Best Bike Shop in Southeast Michigan” again for 2021. We are going through one of the toughest times in modern history, and we have been challenged beyond belief; it feels good to know that you have our back! 

2020 and 2021 have not been benchmark years for Hometown by any means. We know that we have made a lot of mistakes and have drifted a little from what makes us “Hometown”. This is the first year in our history that we have had a service lead time of more than a week. Staffing has been an issue, and with supply chain issues, it has been a struggle getting even some of the basic essentials for running a bike shop. I am sure you have heard the same story from every small business everywhere, but at the end of the day, we know that you still believe in Hometown and our mission, and this award proves it.

GREAT CHANGES MADE AND MORE TO COME
We have been working on some exciting changes for the shop that we would like to share with you to help us turn these past couple of years on their head and give you the most amazing Hometown experience to date.

1. We have revamped our service shop to be more efficient and are proud to announce that, as of today 7/24/21, we are currently SAME DAY on repairs, NEXT DAY on new bike builds, and 3 DAYS on tune-ups (pending parts, of course). 
2. Although the shop is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have been working 7 days a week on bikes to stay on track.
3. We have implemented a new texting service to increase our communication and give you better status updates on your bike.
4. We have helped people find and assemble close to 50 new bikes that were purchased online and delivered to our shop. Our goal has always been and will always be to “GET YOU ON A BIKE”.
5. In 2020 and 2021, we worked and are still working closely with local municipalities, the Road Commission, and our State Parks to give you more places to ride safely. 
6. We are formally introducing “The H.U.B Incubator”, a small business start-up space within the Hometown Bicycles building, to help up-and-coming Entrepreneurs. 

WHAT DRIVES US

Our Mission
We are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for cycling at all levels through cycling products and honest service that works for you.

Our Values
We offer exceptional service at a fair price.
We meet or exceed your expectations.
We are honest and timely with our communication.
We are clean, organized, and will respect your property.
We will continuously improve and evolve.
We will work together with respect, treating others how we would want to be treated.

Our Goal
Make good decisions for our Company, because we believe in it.
Make good decisions for our Customers, because they deserve it.
Make good decisions for our Community, because we are part of it.
Make good decisions for our Industry, because we love it.

Thank you for the support. Thank you for voting. Thank you for sharing. And THANK YOU for believing.

With gratitude,
Shaun & The Hometown Crew

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The Company: Hometown News

We’re catching up, folks — our turnaround time on repairs and tune-ups is improving! We’re implementing a new system in our service shop, which we’re very excited about — details coming soon!

We’d like to once again thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate you and want to truly earn the title of Best Bike Shop in SE Michigan. Speaking of which, at last count, we were in first place in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best contest. The contest ended Friday and final results will be announced during Reveal Week, July 19-23!

Tyler’s Tip:
Why is my bike not shifting properly?
Most shifting issues are caused by too much cable tension (or too little). This is something most cyclists can learn to feel comfortable adjusting on their own. If not, your Hometown service crew is available to help. Next time you’re in, ask for a quick tutorial!

In each newsletter, our Service Manager, Tyler, will provide a quick, helpful tip. If you have any questions you’d like addressed in a future Tyler’s Tip, send them to Events Coordinator, Leslie Barrett, at events@myhometownbicycles.com (she’s the one who writes these newsletters, in case you wondered)!

The Customer: Our Valued Hometownies

Supply chain issues… have they affected you and your ability to purchase a bike or to get the parts you need? The Covid-19 pandemic set off some major supply chain issues for Hometown Bicycles, but we are not alone. It’s happening everywhere. For an interesting read on the topic, check out this article: The Supply Chain Nightmare by Jay Townley.    

We’re hoping to help in our own community. We have a new addition in our entryway — a bulletin board devoted to our customers. If you or anyone you know has a bike for sale, post it here. And if you’re searching for a bike, post it here too. Share a photo and/or description and we’ll try to play bicycle matchmaker!

The Community: Upcoming Happenings!

TOMORROW! Don’t miss it!
Women’s Entrepreneurship Series: Marketing 101
Thursday, July 15
6-8 PM

We have a few spots still available for this informative, fun, engaging event, ladies! Sign up HERE. The event will be held in our new rental space (last door on the left). 

Save the date!
Tour de Livingston
Sunday, October 10

The 14th Annual Tour de Livingston will be an in-person event. All safety protocols will be followed and riders will be released in waves. Many mileage route options will be available, with new routes being developed. Stay updated HERE.

4th of July Parade Recap!

Wow! Was it awesome to be part of the 4th of July Parade or what?! After no parade in 2020, it was an honor to be right in the thick of things at the 2021 event with the Optimist Club. So many kids and families joined us as we filled Main Street with bicycles! Many thanks to the Optimists for this collaboration. We can’t wait until next year.

The Industry: Just Something Fun to Share…

Store Hours:

Monday: 10-7
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10-7
Friday: 10-7
Saturday: 10-5
Sunday: 10-5

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The Company: Hometown News

Vote 4 the Best!

Hometown Bicycles is once again up for Best Bike Shop in SE Michigan in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best contest! Help us take 1st Place AGAIN! 

You can vote as often as hourly, through July 9th. Once you create an account, it’s super simple to vote. Find us under Sports and Recreation, then Bike Shop. 

Vote HERE!

The Customer: Our Valued Hometownies

Submitted by our very own Andy Miller:
Earlier this month, 6 cyclists of all different skill levels set out to ride the Little Traverse Wheelway. This paved path runs from just outside Charlevoix, MI to Harbor Springs, MI.

We picked a Saturday to accomplish it and were prepared for a very busy trail and were pleasantly surprised that it was not wall-to-wall people. We saw cyclists, walkers, trekkers, and some of the group that was running the Lighthouse 50 Mile and Lighthouse 100 Mile ultra-marathons.

Parking was more than adequate at Shanahan Field and the bathrooms were open as well.

There were lots of scenic spots along the trail prior to reaching our lunch destination which was going to be Petoskey. It’s always good to stop and take a break for a picture or two.

Before we got to Petoskey, there was a fairly sizeable portion of the trail that was closed due to an erosion issue. The detour sends you up onto the shoulder of US 131 for a bit. It was a wide, smooth route and the vehicle traffic was respectful for the portion we needed to share the road.

The trail does disappear a bit in Downtown Petoskey, so it was a good thing we stopped for lunch. There are all kinds of options for food and shopping and places to lock your bike up as well.

The trail picks back up right by Bayfront park and is connected all the way up to Harbor Springs.

The impending storms did not allow us to adventure in Harbor Springs as we needed to turn around and get back to Charlevoix. On the way back, the front porch of the Top Of Michigan Trails Council building was just big enough for all of us and our bikes and allowed us to wait out the brief shower.

I would highly recommend exploring this route if you have the opportunity to do so.

Ride on!!!

The Community: Upcoming Happenings!

THIS Sunday, June 27 at 7 AM
TDL Kick Off Ride

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to ride your bike in downtown Howell during Balloonfest weekend! This is a family-friendly, 16-mile route. Free to attend; no advance registration required. Meet at the Historic Howell Courthouse and bring your friends! For more information on Tour de Livingston, click here.

Sunday, July 4 at 10 AM
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. 

The Industry: Your Input is Needed! 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on the development of new general management for Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County. 

Visitors interested in sharing their opinions and ideas about the park are encouraged to participate in an online survey available through Thursday, July 22.

Store Hours:

Monday: 10-7
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10-7
Friday: 10-7
Saturday: 10-5
Sunday: 10-5

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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!

Store Hours:

Monday: 10-7
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10-7
Friday: 10-7
Saturday: 10-5
Sunday: 10-5

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