Hometown Bicycles

Hometown Chili Cook-Off! 
We hope your recipes are prepped, shopping lists are made, and slow cookers are ready for use because our 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off is near…

Join us on Sunday 11/21 from 5-7 PM for a yummy good time.

For those wanting to enter their culinary deliciousness, HERE is the link to register. For those wanting to stop by to sample the goods, no need to sign up. Chili will be ready by 5 PM, with voting until 6:30 PM. There will be one overall winner, plus 2nd and 3rd place. This year’s event will be held indoors. We look forward to seeing you!

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, so keep those older kids in mind as you shop (i.e. a teenager may appreciate a hairdryer, books, sporting goods/equipment, or headphones). 

Help make this year extra special for children in need in our community. We’ll be collecting gifts all month and into December! 

Meet Jason: Your Hometown Service Manager

What are you most excited about related to your position at the shop? Do you have any specific goals?
I am excited to work in a trade that is interesting to me. I enjoy solving problems for the customers and I’m excited to learn to be more efficient at the trade so I can do that adequately. My goal for 2021 and beyond is to become more comfortable and knowledgeable about servicing bicycles.

Tell us a bit about your background.
I grew up in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. I graduated with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Washtenaw Community College. I also graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations.

What kind of cycling do you enjoy? Do you have a favorite trail in the area?
I am a casual road biker. I enjoy riding on the Lakeland Trail. To me, riding is a stress reliever. I enjoy riding most in summer and early fall.

What are some of your other interests/hobbies?
I think the thing I am most passionate about is music. I have been a musician for most of my life and used to do it semi-professionally. I have written and recorded several albums. With my band “the lowercase” I recorded the album “mountains” and I have several solo albums under the name “the lesser” all of which can be found on the various streaming services. 🙂

Coffee or Tea? Or something else entirely?
Coffee.

Favorite movie?
Ghostbusters.

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. No tune-up? No problem. We still offer winter storage at $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!

Livingston County Transportation Coalition

The Livingston County Transportation Coalition‘s Quarterly Newsletter is HERE. Get updated on all the wonderful local advocacy efforts, including both motorized and non-motorized transportation.

The Coalition is open to anyone! If you have concerns about or want to help improve transportation and active mobility in our county, join a meeting and share your views. Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 3 PM via Zoom, with the next meeting on November 23rd.  

Women’s Entrepreneurship Series: Fitness Industry Forum
Ladies, this one is for you! The next Women’s Entrepreneurship program is Thursday, November 18 from 6-8 PM in The Hub at Hometown Bicycles (3rd entrance).

Dawn Bhajan and Leslie Barrett plan and host this monthly learning series for women in business. There is always so much to learn and great opportunities for networking!

Sign up HERE!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

We’re pretty sure this is the shop event that Hometownies look forward to the most each year. We can’t blame you — we love it too.

6th Annual Hometown Chili Cook-Off
Sunday 11/21 from 5-7 PM

For those wanting to enter their culinary deliciousness, HERE is the sign-up with all the details. For those wanting to stop by to sample the goods, no need to sign up. Chili will be ready by 5 PM, with voting until 6:30 PM. There will be one overall winner, plus 2nd and 3rd place. You KNOW you want your name added to the coveted toilet paper trophy! 

This year’s event will be held indoors. We look forward to pigging out with you later this month!

Meet Sean: Your Hometown Service Writer

What are you most excited about related to your position at the shop? Do you have any specific goals?
Feeling like I’m learning a new language (the one of bikes), and it has renewed my interest in riding. My goal is to continue learning as much as I can and contribute to the community atmosphere that Hometown brings.

Tell us a bit about your background.
I grew up in Howell and played sports all through school and into university. Soccer has always been my favorite sport but I’ve always enjoyed them all. I attended Spring Arbor University in Michigan where I studied Criminal Justice and played soccer during my time there. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and traveling, with France and Germany being the two coolest places I’d have to say I’ve been lucky enough to go to. Before Hometown I was working in the sales field — some cell phone sales and for a home remodeling company. After looking for something new for a while and knowing about Hometown for some time now through my dad, the opportunity arose to work here and it seemed like something I wouldn’t want to miss out on.

What kind of cycling do you enjoy? Do you have a favorite trail in the area?
I would have to say that, as a rider, I am currently at a beginner level. I thoroughly loved riding my bike when I was younger, but have just gotten away from it over time. With a renewed interest from working at Hometown though, I’ve already been looking at bikes to get me back out there! Which means I’ll have to find a favorite trail, but I’m sure it will be fun to get out there and ride as many as I can.

What are some of your other interests/hobbies?
Getting outside with my dog, playing in soccer leagues when I still can, video games, board games, and music of most any kind, especially if it’s live music.

Favorite dessert?
Cookies and cream cheesecake.

Do you have a favorite quote/mantra?
Mantra — Rain is good luck.

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. No tune-up? No problem. We still offer winter storage at $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!

Girl Scout Troop 40209: Merit Badge in Cycling

Many thanks to this wonderful group of 5th graders from Maltby Intermediate School and their leaders for spending an afternoon with General Manager Les Cook. The girls earned their merit badges in cycling and Les got to munch on Thin Mints… talk about a win-win!

Women’s Entrepreneurship Series: Fitness Industry Forum
Ladies, this one is for you! The next Women’s Entrepreneurship program is Thursday, November 18 from 6-8 PM in The Hub at Hometown Bicycles (3rd entrance).

Dawn Bhajan and Leslie Barrett plan and host this monthly learning series for women in business. There is always so much to learn and great opportunities for networking!

Sign up HERE!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

It’s going to be a nice day in Michigan on Sunday, with temperatures in the mid-70’s… perfect for a beautiful fall ride! We hope to see you at the 14th Annual Tour de Livingston. The shop will be closed, so be sure to stop by this week for any last-minute TDL needs. We’ll re-open Monday at 10 AM. 

Register HERE!

Hometown’s Tour de Livingston Tune-Up Special

To thank you for your involvement in this awesome event, we’re offering $25 off tune-ups to all registered Tour de Livingston riders.

Bring your bike in this month and show us your TDL registration confirmation to receive the discount.

The Cook Brothers: From Brighton to The Bridge

Leslie Cook and Mark Cook are on an epic adventure! On October 2nd, the two brothers left for a 5-day cycling trip from Hometown to the Mackinac Bridge. Follow their adventures on Facebook to see photos and highlights of their journey. 

As of yesterday, Les stated, “I’ve made four 70+ mile days in a row for the first time in my life. Legs are jelly.”

Today is day 5 for these adrenaline junkies. They’re tackling close to 100 miles. Go, Les! Go, Mark! You guys rock.

FREE Winter Storage!

While no one wants to be thinking about inclement weather quite yet…

We’re offering winter storage again this year. Don’t have room in your garage, shed, or basement for your bicycle(s)? No worries! We’ve got you covered.

From October 1 through February 28, we offer free storage with the purchase of a tune-up. Use any or all of that 5 months. We just ask that you pick up your bike by March 1 so we can prepare for our busy Spring 2022 cycling season. 

No tune-up? No problem. We still offer winter storage at $10/month. But 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. It will save you the trouble of bringing it in during peak season when our turnaround time is longer. Truly a win-win situation!

Bike Waves are coming to Brighton!

Great news for our community: Brighton has been identified as an area where more connections are needed and will be part of a program testing out “bike waves” over the next couple of months.

You can read more about it HERE.

Go-Liv-Co, Livingston County’s Non-Motorized Advisory Committee, has been pivotal in this and many other advocacy efforts. They work to promote and encourage active mobility via the implementation of Complete Streets and Trails that allow people to safely walk, run, bike or wheel regardless of age or ability.

To get involved, contact Craig Wood at cwcraigwood@gmail.com.

Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution Seminar
Ladies, this one is for you! The next Women’s Entrepreneurship program is Thursday, October 14 from 6-8 PM in The Hub at Hometown Bicycles (3rd entrance).

Dawn Bhajan and Leslie Barrett plan and host this monthly learning series for women in business. There is always so much to learn and great opportunities for networking!

Sign up HERE.

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

It’s almost time to Pedal for a Purpose in the 14th Annual Tour de Livingston! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 10th.

The TDL provides an opportunity for riders to enjoy the beautiful fall colors in southeast Michigan while raising money to support the Livingston County United Way Basic Needs Programs. All proceeds help to bridge the gap for local hardworking families struggling to meet their most basic needs, prepare every child to be ready for success, and build a healthy community for all residents.

Since its start in 2008, the Tour de Livingston has raised over $445,000! This annual event is organized and run by the Howell Rotary Club.

This will be an in-person event following all safety protocols. Riders will be released in waves. You will receive an email with your wave time. The starting point is Howell High School Freshman Campus (Cafeteria area), located at 411 N. Highlander Way. Enjoy a delicious breakfast too!

Register HERE!

Tune in tomorrow around 1:00 PM as Shaun and Tour de Livingston Committee Chair Jake Andrews do a Facebook Live about the event and announce how to enter our Free Tour Entry Giveaway!

Hometown’s Tour de Livingston Tune-Up Special

o thank you for your involvement in this awesome event, we’re offering $25 off tune-ups to all registered Tour de Livingston riders.

All you need to do to receive the discount is show us your TDL registration confirmation.

Pre-Tour: Limited to the first 100 riders — but get your bike in “the sooner the better”!
Post-Tour: No limit

FREE Winter Storage!
While no one wants to be thinking about inclement weather quite yet…

We’re offering winter storage again this year. Don’t have room in your garage, shed, or basement for your bicycle(s)? No worries! We’ve got you covered.

From October 1 through February 28, we offer free storage with the purchase of a tune-up. Use any or all of that 5 months. We just ask that you pick up your bike by March 1 so we can prepare for our busy Spring 2022 cycling season. 

No tune-up? No problem. We still offer winter storage at $10/month. But 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. It will save you the trouble of bringing it in during peak season when our turnaround time is longer. Truly a win-win situation!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »