Hometown Bicycles

Hometown’s 2022 Game Plan!
We’re already almost a month into the new year. Hard to believe, isn’t it? The winter days drag on a bit, but the months sure go by quickly. Spring cycling season will be here before we know it. And we can’t wait!

We have given a lot of thought to what we’d like Hometown and our local cycling community to accomplish in 2022. First and foremost, Hometown Bicycles will celebrate 12 years in business! Our baby is now almost a teenager. Over the years, we have pivoted and adapted — trying new things and letting go of old ways — and through it all, we have stayed committed to our four pillars: what’s best for the customer, what’s best for the company, what’s best for the community, and what’s best for the industry. 

Recent years have brought exceptional challenges to overcome. No one anticipated a pandemic and all of the resulting byproducts — everything from supply chain issues to the cancellation of multiple shop and community rides, races, and events. This year, we hope to bring Hometown back to what you know and love. A vibrant place; your Happy Place.  

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting things we have in the works!

• Hometown Shop Rides: Our new ride schedule will debut this spring
• Revamped Service Shop: To better meet the needs of our customers and crew
• Clinics & Classes: A year-round schedule with a variety of topics
• More Community Partnerships: Something we have always believed in, but look for new (and improved) partnerships between Hometown and like-minded businesses and organizations

We’re excited for the opportunity to continue to grow and to serve our awesome community in 2022. Let’s make this a fabulous year!

Help Wanted: Join the Hometown Crew
Creating the magic of Hometown is no small thing — we need a crew of highly organized, creative, and enthusiastic team members. If you are detail-oriented, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and have a passion for cycling, consider applying for a position with us.       

We currently have several career opportunities:

• Service Writer: Full-Time
• Service Technicians: 4 Full-Time and 2 Part-Time
• Bicycle Mechanics: 2 Full-Time 
• Sales: Full-Time (Thursday-Monday schedule)
• Cashiers: 2 Part-Time (evenings and weekends)
• Inventory Manager: Full-Time
• Rides/Events/Marketing Coordinator: Part-Time

For consideration, send your resume and cover letter to Shaun Bhajan at shaun@myhometownbicycles.com. 

Winter Hours

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

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We’re winding down for the year, Homies. Each December, we close the shop for a period of time to enjoy the holidays and to allow our crew to spend time with their families and friends. Be sure to stop in over the next few days for your last-minute service needs, to drop off your bikes for winter storage, and to get gift certificates for the cyclists in your life. 

The shop will close at 5 PM on Thursday, December 23rd, and will re-open at 10 AM on Friday, January 7th. 

Stay tuned next week for a letter from Santa, er, Shaun, with his 2021 recap and well wishes for a Merry Christmas!

THANK YOU, Cycling Community!

Look what you did to make this year’s Toys for Tots drive a success! With a bit of friendly competition among mountain bikers, road riders, and e-bikers, Hometown was able to make a collective donation of 109 toys for children in need. Thank you. We appreciate you!

Here are the rankings: 

• Mountain bikers: 69
• Road riders: 29
• E-bikers: 11

A special shout out to Hometown crew member Mike Newman and his wife Marybeth for making this toy drive an annual tradition at the shop. 

FREE Winter Storage!
Don’t forget! Through February 28, we’re offering free storage with the purchase of a tune-up. If you’re interested in winter storage without the tune-up, we offer it for $10/month.

We all know how busy the service shop gets come March. It’s no surprise. After being cooped up all winter, everyone is stir crazy and can’t WAIT to get out there and ride as soon as the spring weather allows. 

We can’t stress this enough: Bring your bike in for a tune-up over the winter!

Also, with shortages and delays, this allows time for us to receive needed parts for your repairs during months you won’t be using your bike. This will save you the trouble of coming in for service during peak season when our turnaround time is longer. Instead of being frustrated this spring, take advantage of this plan-ahead option and be the first one hitting the trails on March 1st! Get those bikes in before our holiday break!

Women’s Personal Protection Course

Join us for a female-only self-defense class (for ages 12+). We ran this class in the fall and had a great turnout, so we’re going to make it a regularly scheduled event! 

Monday, January 24
7-8:30 PM
The H.U.B. Incubator at Hometown Bicycles

Instructors from Keep and Bear LLC will cover multiple facets of protection including situational awareness, instinctual responses, and nonphysical applications. From there, physical force applications are instructed including striking, force multipliers (hand weapons), and using them to assist in strikes and escapes from common grabs and other grapples. Don and Berge are engaging and informative instructors; attendees will feel comfortable and confident with the material presented. Ladies, we hope you will join us for this important class.

Register HERE!

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We have gift certificates available in any denomination you choose, perfect for the cyclist in your life this holiday season. Gift them the cost of a tune-up or new tires, or just purchase a general amount for them to enjoy at the shop on either retail or service. 

Chili Cook-Off Recap: And the winner is… 
We feasted on some pretty amazing chili recipes at our 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off on Sunday 11/21. It was hard to vote for a favorite!

After a tight race, the winner was declared… big congratulations to John Burke for his tasty Texas Style Chili! 2nd Place went to Steve Wortley and 3rd place to Leslie Barrett. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Here’s the winning recipe: Texas Style Chili!

Ingredients: 
3 lbs of smoked brisket 
2 lbs ground beef
1 lb of spicy breakfast sausage
3 med red onion
2 cans of fire-roasted tomatoes 
2 cans of crushed tomatoes 
1 can of chipotle peppers
1 bulb of garlic 
2 cans of beer 
1 Jalapeño
Chili seasoning

Brown the 2 lbs of ground beef and 1 lb of breakfast sausage.

Sauté the onions and garlic together, then combine with beef and sausage. Add the fire-roasted and crushed tomatoes, chipotle peppers, onions, and garlic to the beef/pork mixture. Add 6 tablespoons of your chili seasoning or to taste. Add your 3 lbs of smoked brisket cubed about one inch. Add your favorite beer and a jalapeño. Put on the smoker for the next 6 hours and drink the other beer. 

About your winner: I’m John Burke, PitMaster/owner of GETTY UP BBQ LLC. We are craft barbecue that puts a creative twist on hometown favorites. You can also find us Facebook and Instagram. Check us out!

Toys for Tots: Let’s fill the bins!

We continue to collect toys for this year’s Toys for Tots drive. Drop off your donation of new, unwrapped items for children up to age 16 in our collection bins near the front counter. Let’s make this year a bit brighter for children in need in our community. Thanks for your help!

FREE Winter Storage!

Want to free up space in your garage, shed, or basement? Looking for safe and secure heated storage for your bicycle(s) during the cold months?

Through February 28, we’re offering FREE STORAGE with the purchase of a Tune-Up. If you’re interested in winter storage without the tune-up, we offer it for $10/month.

We do highly encourage the tune-up over the winter so that your bike is ready to roll as soon as the nice weather hits. With shortages and delays, it also allows time for us to receive needed parts for your repairs during months you wouldn’t be using your bike. This will save you the trouble of coming in for service during peak season when our turnaround time is longer. Instead of being frustrated this spring, take advantage of this plan-ahead option and be the first one hitting the trails on March 1st!

Women’s Personal Protection Course

Join us for a female-only self-defense class (for ages 12+). We ran this class in the fall and had a great turnout, so we’re going to make it a regularly scheduled event! 

Monday, January 22
7-8:30 PM
The H.U.B. at Hometown Bicycles

Instructors from Keep and Bear LLC will cover multiple facets of protection including situational awareness, instinctual responses, and nonphysical applications. From there, physical force applications are instructed including striking, force multipliers (hand weapons), and using them to assist in strikes and escapes from common grabs and other grapples.

These applications are intended to result in escape from a controlling engagement so the defender can reassess the situation and act to prevent harm (usually by escaping, neutralizing with physical force, or creating the time and distance necessary to bring lethal force options to bear).

Register HERE

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We’re excited to chow down with you at our 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off this weekend! Join us on Sunday 11/21 from 5-7 PM for food, fun, and good company.

To enter your culinary talents, register HERE. No need to sign up if you’re just coming to eat! Chili will be ready by 5 PM, with voting until 6:30 PM. Come choose your favorite! 

There is no cost to attend our event, but please consider bringing a donation for our Toys for Tots drive! 

Toys for Tots: Get Into the Giving Spirit

Each year, Hometown Bicycles is a Toys for Tots drop-off site, and we try our best to gather as many toys as possible!

Toys must be new and unwrapped. Recipients include children up to age 16. Help make this year extra special for children in need in our community. We’ll be collecting gifts all month and into December! 

Thanksgiving Week Store Hours

Monday 11/22: 10-7
* Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays *
* Closed Thanksgiving Day *
* Closed Black Friday *
Saturday 11/27: 10-5
Sunday 11/28: 10-5

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