IT’S A CYCLISTS’ PLAYGROUND – OF COURSE WE’LL BE THERE!!  
Hometown’s headed to Island Lake this Saturday, May 6th from 10am-5pm, to participate in what has become “one of the largest demo events in the region” – the MCMBA’s Spring Bike Demo Day. From their site:

Started in 2006 by local industry veteran James Knight, the Island Lake Spring Bike Demo is now in its 12th year bringing the best bikes in the market to your trail. It’s a great chance to talk face to face with people who live the life: building, riding, and maintaining the bikes you want to own. Then, take a few out for a test spin on the road and trails at Island Lake, finding the bike that pulls at your heartstrings.

There will be noise. There will be cycling enthusiasts. There will be a sea of bicycles. There will be demo-ing. And there will definitely be Hometown, with a fleet of Jamis and Framed demo bikes for you to test on the familiar trails of ILRA.

CLICK HERE for all the awesome Demo Day details. Can’t wait to see you there!

MAY 9 & 11: “TRIATHLON 101” CLINICS WITH AMY GLUCK

Let’s be real, here… a good majority of cyclists flirt with the idea of triathlons. They may or may not admit it to anyone, but there is something inherently intriguing about spanning the sports in one, body-and-mind-challenging event.

Hometown’s Amy Gluck has a history in IRONMAN competition, and is back in triathlon training following a life-altering accident. With her background in health and nutrition, an IRONMAN Coaching Certification, and a head-over-heels passion for tri’s, Amy is the perfect person to kick off this newest Hometown clinic.

If you’re on the fence about whether to try a tri, are new to the tri community, or are simply eager to pick up tips from a pro, this info-gathering clinic is for you! NO CHARGE and two days to choose from!

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR TRIATHLON 101 WITH AMY GLUCK
Tuesday, May 9th at 6pm  – OR –  Thursday, May 11th at 6pm
(in the Hometown Bicycles Community Room)

(Images on left courtesy Meghan Terbush)

MEET THE CREW: MEGHAN TERBUSH

Meghan recently joined us, with her online expertise and mad photography ‘skillz’, as Hometown’s official Social Media Guru. Instantly likable and talented to the Nth degree, you’ll spot Meghan – also a gung-ho Team Hometownie – snapping pics for Hometown’s Facebook and NEW Instagram page at many of our rides and events! Meghan says…

I am proud to be a Hometownie! Biking is one of my favorite ways to be active and be engrossed in nature. The first time I learned to ride on two wheels was in my backyard when I was five, wearing a dress. It’s safe to say I’ve learned from my mistakes.

I am a road biker, gravel rider and mountain biker (just getting back into it). I enjoy doing different races and fun rides with my family and friends. One of the greatest things about biking to me is when I am flying down hills with the wind in my face or after completing challenging courses and doing better each time.

KIDS’ SELF DEFENSE AT HOMETOWN

We’ve hosted some remarkable classes, clinics, and programs at our shop, but this easily qualifies as one of the most inherently rewarding.

Instructor Ian Kinder of Live Safe Academy, is running a 4-week children’s self defense class in our Community Room for a group of local elementary students. His messages are skillfully adapted to his young audience, and we’ve been blown away by the practical and in-depth information and hands-on training he provides. Expect to see more of Ian at Hometown – his training spans all ages and genders and is relevant to every one of us.

SUPPORTING SUPERHEROES AT SPENCER

You know we love supporting local, family-friendly events, but here’s one that particularly pushes my nostalgia button, since I’m a long-ago graduate of this Brighton elementary school – “Calling All Superheroes” 29th Annual Spencer Elementary Auction and Spring Carnival.

“This event serves as our main fundraiser each year and benefits our children, teachers, and school community by providing funds for our cultural enrichment programs, field trips, monthly assemblies and updating our playground area.”

Join us in supporting this integral part of our local youth Community, or simply learn more about the event by clicking HERE.

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL ROAD RIDE (or coffee at the shop!) (5/4)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Weather pending, our Social Road ride will hit the back entrance to Island Lake to explore the park roads. (If it rains, join us for a steaming hot coffee and friendly conversation at the shop!) The plan this week is to ride 1-1.5 hours at a 10 mph average pace. Ride whatever bike will work for the pace and your desired exercise level. This is a NO DROP ride.

SATURDAY BEGINNER ROAD RIDE (5/6)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come grow with this weekly ride as we start out aiming for 10 – 15 miles and expand as the weeks roll by.  Route will be on the park roads.  Road bikes are preferred for this ride.  All level riders are welcome. Weather could go either way, so be sure to check on Facebook for a pre-ride update!

SUNDAY GRAVEL GRINDER (5/7)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Twp Hall
This week’s gravel ride along beautiful, rolling, country roads, will ease you in with a shorter, flatter route than normal, and ~ 3 miles of pavement (large shoulder on about half). Expect to venture across 29 miles with a 13-15 mph, NO-DROP pace. All bikes are welcome. Meet in lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive): 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353.

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (5/7)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a Beginner Friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. We’ll ride to the back of Island Lake and explore 9 – 15 miles of singletrack. Save 1.5 hours of your day to ride with the Hometown crew. All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. **Location will rotate in future – check on start locations weekly**

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (5/8)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a NO DROP Beginner Friendly road ride. We’ll be traveling the Island Lakes park roads to the well-known “Green Dumpster” and back. ~ 12 – 15 miles. Sound like too much for you? No worries – there will be an early turn-back option for a little less mileage. Bring a light if you have one, though we’re not expecting to need them. Road bikes recommended. All level riders are welcome.

TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE  (5/9)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Join Hometown service guru, Dan ‘CycloDan’ Tribble, for this unique, gravel grinding adventure ride.  We’ll tackle road, singletrack, and gravel, including portions of Island Lake, hopping a guardrail, sand “puddles”, and a few hills just for fun! Plan initially for just over an hour, covering 13+ miles at a 12 – 13 mph average pace, with the intention to lengthen the distance as sunset grows later. Gravel, adventure, or mountain/fat bikes required (not appropriate for skinny tires). All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE.
WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST / SON OF HAMMERFEST (5/10)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
**New Addition! Meet “Son of Hammerfest” for those that would like to build up to the original Hammerfest.**
SON OF HAMMERFEST:
Rolling at 6:30 from Hometown Bicycles. This will include 25 miles (1 lap of ILRA & the Kensington Loop). Average pace targeted at 17 – 18 mph, with flats of 20+ mph.
HAMMERFEST:
Bring your “A” game, and see if you can stay on this crazy train of talented individuals as they push each other to find new limits. You’ll want the fastest road bike you own, as the pace averages 20 mph through 2 laps (40 miles) of the roads of Island Lake. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph!

For ALL SHOP RIDES, be sure to FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK for ride confirmations and updates!

Travel far enough,
you meet yourself.

– David Mitchell