Posted on October 25, 2011 by Shaun

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Crank up the creative juices, ‘cuz we’re launching our first annual Hometown Bicycles Pumpkin Carving Contest… RIGHT NOW! Here’s the pumpkin-goop scoop:

Carve the coolest pumpkin to win a $100 gift certificate to spend on ANY in-store product or service at the world’s coolest store… ours!

Any theme is welcome (keep it PG, peeps). Just bring in your pumpkin art any time from now through Halloween. We’ll be displaying them in and around our store. Our customers will vote for their favorite, so the sooner you can enter, the better your chances.

We’ll post the entries on Facebook , and the contest winner this Halloween!

A Worthy Cause…

I worked with Rich Jones for years, so it hit close to home to learn about his mother’s battle with breast cancer. But Rich and his family (above, Linda’s in pink) are raring to tackle this, and are hosting the following fund raising event for the Linda McCarthy Jones Treatment Assistance Fund:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011 • 5PM TO MIDNIGHT
American Legion Hall | 1430 Southfield Rd. | Lincoln Park, MI

$20/person: This event will include music, dancing, dinner, beverages, karaoke contest, bake sale, 50-50 contest and a bicycle raffle (donated by Hometown). Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

All of us from the shop will be there, so come hang out with us, and help Rich’s mom fight the good fight.

Hometown Photo of the Month

NOW THAT’S OUR KIND OF PROPOSAL! This is Roy. Roy just stopped by our shop on his way to Goshen, Indiana – by bicycle – where he will propose to his unsuspecting future wife. He’s given us permission to spill the secret here, but if you know his fiancé-to-be – SHHH!!!

Hometown Tip: The Truth About Trainers

TRAINER MYTH: If your bicycle becomes detached from your trainer while you’re pedaling, you’ll go flying off into the wall in true Darwin-Award fashion. FALSE!

TRAINER TRUTH: The fact, however, isn’t much prettier than the fiction. If your bicycle seperates from the trainer mid-spin, it will most likely tip over, destroying the wheel and scratching the frame.

TRAINER TIP: To keep you and your bicycle in working order, make sure to ALWAYS use the skewer that’s been supplied with the trainer. If it’s gone missing, stop in and pick up a new one. The number one trainer crash-and-burn scenario comes from using the wrong parts.

If you’re concerned about proper trainer use, stop in any time. We can use your trainer, or one of our trainers at the store, to provide a hands-on demonstration on how to set it up right.

“The heat is in the bicycle.”

– Bill “Wheelin’ Willie” Sager, Hometownie

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, Bicycle Donation, bicycle repair, bike repair, Bike Trainer, Hometown Bicycles, Iceman Challenge, Iceman Race, Michigan, Pumpkin Carving | Leave a comment »

Hometown Heads to Interbike!

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Shaun

Hometown Heads to Interbike!

What’s happening in Vegas is definitely NOT staying in Vegas, because we’re heading to the bright-light city for Interbike, America’s largest bicycle expo. Our plan is to come back with new products and new ideas for taking Hometown to the next level.

We’ll be tracking down steals & deals for you, meeting with vendors and learning about the next best things to help us rock 2012. So, here’s the deal:

Hometown Bicycles will be closed from WED, September 14 through SUN, September 18.
We’ll re-open on Monday, September 19.

If there’s anything at the shop that you need during that time, PICK IT UP NOW! And if there’s something you want to see us carry at our store, let us know. We’ll see what we can do!

Hometown Photo of the Month

A Bicycle is Born: How is it possible to love cycling even more than you do now? Pat Cheal discovered the answer is to build your own bike. After considering her options, Pat took advantage of our demo program to test out a Jamis… and it was love at first ride. When her new Jamis Quest arrived, we offered her the opportunity to build it herself – with our assistance, of course! And… well, here’s what Pat has to say:

“Thank YOU Shaun! I felt so attached to that bike before I ever even rode it, thanks to being there for it’s birth!”

Hometown Tech Tip: Wet seat, Happy Bike

Let’s talk a moment about toting your bike around in the rain. It’s been a rainy season. It’s bound to happen.

The mistake many cyclists make is removing their seat before loading it on their car’s bike rack. And who can blame them? Riding with a wet bottom is not particularly fun.

But while you’re rump is nice and dry, water has been seeping down your open seat tube and rusting out your bicycle’s bearings.

So, instead, cover your seat with a shower cap or shopping bag. Riding with a wet seat is an inconvenience. Ruining your crank bearings is an expense!

2011 Repair Countdown

We’re now at 1,353 repairs for 2011. 1-3-5-3. That’s over 330 more than we did for all of 2010!! That’s awesome.

Our goal this year is 2,011 repairs. Just 658 left to make it happen. Will you be part of our 2,011? Bring your bikes in today. We’ll blow your socks off with our service!

The Challenge Continues!

The Official Challenge: Our locally renowned super-couple, Steven and Jill, are still cranking out the mileage. They’re just miles away from the 500 we challenged them to ride this summer!

The Unofficial Challenge: After 4 heart surgeries, Mike Hoffner set his own challenge… to live a healthier lifestyle. He eats right and rides his Jamis everywhere. Over 700 miles pedaled this summer and counting!!

Visit Us on Facebook!
486 fans!! You definitely want to be a part of this. Follow us:

“Life is like riding a bicycle: you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling.”

– Claude Pepper

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, bicycle repair, bike repair, bike shop hours, Brighton, Hometown Bicycles, Island Lake Recreational area, Michigan, Shaun Bhajan | Leave a comment »

BURRRRRR……. First race of the year. Good Luck. P.S. 7am to7pm is back

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Shaun

17 degrees, sunny and 5mph out of the west, TIME TO RIDE. The 3rd annual barry-roupaix is today and its going to be a good one. Join Hometown Bikes own CJ Brish today and become a part of Hometown History. We are also back to our 7am to 7pm everyday hours. So drop you bike off before work and pick it up after, its why were here.

Founders Presents: Barry-Roubaix, The Killer Gravel Road Race. March 26th, 2011

Michigan’s cycling season kicks off the year with the Killer Gravel Road Race – The third annual Barry-Roubaix! The Barry-Roubaix has grown by over 250 percent in two years making it the third largest cycling race in Michigan. The 2011 race will most likely exceed 1000 racers! Like the classic it’s named after, Barry-Roubaix will test riders against rolling gravel roads (80%), pavement, one mile of rough two-track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing over its 35 mile loop.

A classic road/off road race featuring a variety of terrain and surfaces to test all your cycling skills. Cyclocross, Mountain, Road, Single-Speeds, Fixies and Tandems are all welcome.
Road, mountain or cross bikes allowed in any category. Choose from a 23, 35 or 65 mile race distance. No racing license required.
The course will not be closed to traffic and does not have a rolling escort. Rules of the road apply, stop at all stop signs, yield to cars, no more than 2 riders abreast and do not cross the yellow centerline. Violations will be penalized by disqualification.

Where is Barry-Roubaix?

Barry County, Middleville, Michigan – Start/finish:Yankee Springs Recreation Area – Gun Lake Unit
All vehicles entering the Gun Lake Unit will need a Michigan State Park motor vehicle passport
Who is Barry-Roubaix for? Cyclists and racers of all kinds and performance levels (no license required) that want to start their season with a real challenge and adventure.
Waves start @ 10:00 a.m.
Distances are approximate depending on finale course designation made prior to race start and we reserve the right to combine low age category fields

What else can I expect at Barry-Roubaix?

An awards party with dozens of great prizes to random racers
What the Truck catering with tacos and burritos for sale
10 Kegs of Founders Ale!
A bonfire on the beach
$2000 cash awards plus trophies or medals to the top three 65 Mile racers (no age categories). 1st-$500, 2nd-$300, 3rd-$200
Trophies to the overall winner of the 35 and 23 mile race. Medals to the top three in age categories (age categories depend on the amount of registrations) and raffle prizes to many lucky racers. Podium awards and photos immediately following the completion of each category.
Silent Raffle prizes before and during the event
Traditional Raffle at 2:30, must be present to win
Chronotrack Timing by Race Services Company. Rigid handlebar number plates with timing chips will be used for the best timing available.
Long Sleeve tee shirts and hoodies available for purchase when registering in advance
A very limited amount of pint glasses and t-shirts will be available for purchase day of the race

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, bike repair, bike repairs, hometowm bikes, Hometown Bicycles, Michigan bike shop. Michigan bike races, Shaun Bhajan | Leave a comment »

The Countdown to 1,000 CONTINUES!

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Shaun

The days are disappearing. Time is flying by. Word is getting out. And our repair count keeps climbing.

Repair 934… Repair 939… Repair 945… Repair 957….

We know we can do this. We know we can complete 1,000 repairs by the end of this year – Hometown’s first year. We know we can do it because you, our customers, have been stepping up to the plate.

This isn’t about business anymore. It’s about achieving something. It’s about conquering a mountain and staking our flag at the summit. It’s about proving that “unlikely” doesn’t mean “impossible”…

IT’S ABOUT A NUMBER. REPAIR #1000.

We’ve completed 943 Repairs, Repair 957 is in the store now, and Repair 948 is on the stand. You can follow the count on our Facebook Page.

For everyone who has brought in a bike, thank you. You became a part of something bigger – something that will go down in Hometown history – the minute you walked through our door.

For those who want to participate, here’s the deal. The next 42 tune-up/repairs that are brought in before December 31st will get a Complete Overhaul (new cables, new housing, new bar tape and cleaned and degreased to within an inch of its life), a 25% Off Any Product Coupon (special orders included) and an honorary place on our Facebook Wall of Fame. And you’ll get all of this for $40. No joke. So our question is…

Will YOU be one of the THOUSAND?

Hometown Bicycles Party Update
Our party plans have changed! By popular request, we’re moving our Hometown celebration to Thursday, December 30th, 5-10pm.

We polled our customers as they brought in more repairs (right on, bike peeps!), and the universal answer was “move the party between Christmas and New Years!” So that’s what we’re doing. And by the 30th, we hope we’ll have something else besides a wedding and a shop opening to celebrate… 1,000 or bust, baby!

There’ll be food, music, seats and great company. You don’t need to bring a thing besides yourself. If you can make it, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP.

“Hell, there are no rules here –
we’re trying to accomplish something.” -Thomas Edison

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 1000 or bust. Hometown Bicycle. Bike shop in brighton mi, bicycle, bike repair, Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

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