Cycling Countdown + the Best Biking in MI

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Shaun

LEFT UNTIL SPRING CYCLING SEASON!

Step aside, Winter! We’re just a week away from the glorious, cyclists’ paradise that is the Spring Cycling Season, starting March 1st!!

Pull those bikes out of storage, and bring them in now to beat the Spring tune-up rush – ‘cuz when the trees start blooming, you better believe you won’t want to wait even a second more to saddle up and pedal out. It’ll be adventure time!

(Image courtesy vidiani.com)

DATE CHANGED: “Where to Ride in MI” Potluck Clinic!

IT’S BEEN MOVED TO NEXT THURSDAY, MARCH 2ND FROM 6PM-8PM
We’ve been hard at work with our Team leaders on creating the BEST Shop Ride schedule we’ve ever had, and are taking an extra week to perfect it for its BIG DEBUT at our Where to Ride in Michigan Clinic & Potluck Party!

At this event, you’ll also hear about Michigan’s top cycling paths and trails, meet Hometown’s ride leaders, connect with potential ride buddies, collect info about local cycling groups, and learn about the organizations that help keep our roads and trails cyclist friendly and how you can get involved.

It’s a potluck, so here’s your chance to show off some culinary skills (and we know you’ve got ’em, thanks to our Fall Extravaganza Chili Cook-Off!)

REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND OUR “WHERE TO RIDE” POTLUCK CLINIC!
Thursday, March 2nd, 6pm-8pm at Hometown Bicycles • Bring a dish to pass!

(Tom Trentanove from Jamis talks bikes and brands to a Community Room full of Hometownies.)

SO MUCH JAMIS LOVE AT LAST WEEK’S CLINIC

Last Thursday marked our second annual “Why Jamis?” Clinic & Pizza Party – dedicated to the bicycle brand we’ve carried from Day 1, and the story behind why we unhesitatingly trust Jamis to help us make your cycling experience incredible. We had a full house and fun times!!

A very warm and heartfelt THANK YOU to guest speaker Tom Trentanove, our Jamis super-rep, who gave us the insider’s scoop on Jamis Bikes.

Missed the clinic? Sadness!! Stop in, and get the “lite” version from our crew.

We have the coolest Team Sponsors! Look who showed up to our event (and ride Jamis!) – from left: Mike Kearns of Kearns Brothers Inc., Deb Godmer of Hamburg Fitness Center, and Matt Maximoff of Michigan Banner Factory.

THIS FRIDAY: LADIES SPIN CHALLENGE WITH DAWN

Yep, it’s MY turn to jersey up and spin at Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp! This will be my first go-round since kids – I’m looking for all the moral support I can get! The Ladies Spin Challenge is (of course) women only, and runs FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH AT 9:30AM – $5 HOMETOWNIE SPECIAL. Child care is available, fellow mamas! (Call 810-231-4169 to pre-register your kiddies.)

REGISTER NOW FOR THE LADIES SPIN CLASS – CLICK HERE!

THIS SUNDAY: A 2ND SPIN-OFF WITH SHAUN…

Ready to clip in for another round of spinning with Shaun at Hamburg Fitness Center? SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH AT 10:15AM – $5 HOMETOWNIE SPECIAL

REGISTER FOR THE HOMETOWN SPIN-OFF WITH SHAUN

(Images at left courtesy Jean Steinberg)

MEET YOUR CREW: JEAN STEINBERG

Jean, a long-time Hometownie, became part of the Hometown crew a year ago, and has quickly made herself indispensable. Uber passionate about our sport, she’s a powerhouse Rides Coordinator who skillfully pairs the magic of Hometown with the magic of cycling. Loyal. Diligent. Creative. Plus, Jean is always game for a bike-based adventure!

This silly journey of cycling started in 2004 as my then teenage sons found the mountain bike trails in Island Lake and insisted on taking me mountain biking! Oh boy did things change after that little outing. I traded the Holiday Inn for a tent, learned we could pack 5 bikes and two people in a Honda Pilot, cactus actually reach out and grab you as you ride by, ignorance was awesome in the early days (talk about over-riding your skill level), my mentors were priceless, mountain bike trail advocacy is near my heart, I have owned too many bikes to count and experienced more awesome riding in the USA than I EVER imagined possible. My passion for the sport of mountain biking has only grown stronger over time. When a little mentoring and encouragement leads to someone achieving new skills to overcome a trail stopper, I still get so excited for them – it’s like your kid taking their first step! I absolutely love helping riders explore and learn more about cycling.

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – Saturday, 2/25 @ 1:00PM

MEET IN THE FRONT LOT CLOSEST TO MILFORD RD. (North End)

With the Trail Coordinator’s blessing, we will venture out on the trails of Milford/Proud Lake for a 2-PART RIDE. Fat Bikes only. If the weather shifts, we’ll adjust the ride location. Follow us on Facebook for ride confirmation and updates.

PART 1: NO DROP, beginner-friendly pace for Milford (6 miles). Return to trailhead.

PART 2: For extra miles at a swifter pace, we’ll venture through the more challenging Proud Lake Loops 1, 2 and maybe 4 (7-9 miles, moderate pace). Some dirt road and sidewalk required to get there.

Need a fat bike? We rent! Call our shop: (810) 225-2441

PSA: DON’T BE THAT CYCLIST…

… you know, the eager beaver who just can’t wait for the trails to dry, and destroys them for everyone else. We know that early Spring days bring intense trail temptation, but listen to that little white-clad dude on your shoulder – the one with the halo! Or, if you’re more practical in nature, listen to the organizations that maintain the trails. Trust us, you’ll get a longer and more enjoyable cycling season when you sit tight for solid singletrack!

START SPRING CYCLING SEASON WITH A FREE BIKE!

Yep, it’s still up for grabs… check out this bikepacking contest that Jamis is running through the month of February, with a grand prize of something like $5,000 in bikes and adventure gear! How sweet would it be if a Hometownie won?! What are you waiting for…
ENTER NOW!!

(Photo cred: Yoga pic at left courtesy Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga)

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN

Hey, Hometownies! Mark your calendars for these fantastic winter fitness programs running right here inside your favorite bike shop:

CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:45PM
$5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more

CARDIO DRUMMING FOR KIDS | Mondays at 11AM
Parents welcome! $5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more

DYNAMIC YOGA | New series pending… stay tuned!
$10 drop in – Presented by Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more

ZUMBA | Mondays at 6PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$5 drop in – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: adventure time, Ashley Knuth, bicycle clinic, bicycle shop, bicycles, bicycling, bike clinic, bike paths, bike shop, bikepacking contest, Cardio Drumming, CRAMBA, cycling, cycling season, cyclists, Dawn Bhajan, Deb Godmer, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bikes, group rides, hamburg fitness center, Hometown Bicycles, Jamis Bicycles, Jamis Bikes, Jean Steinberg, Kearns Brothers, ladies spin, Leslie Barrett, Martha Soraruf, Matt Maximoff, Michigan Banner Factory, Mike Kearns, potluck, PSA, ride buddies, Rides Coordinator, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, spin challenge, spin class, spin off, spring, Tocca Massage and Yoga, Tom Trentanove, trails, tune up, where to ride in michigan, yoga, zumba | Leave a comment »

The Tour, New Bike Paths, and Vicky V.’s Century

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Shaun

Fun Times at the Tour de Livingston

BRISK AND BEAUTIFUL: Tour de Livingston riders enjoyed incredible fall scenery at this year’s ride. Our Whitmore Lake shop – an official rest stop – was overflowing with energized cyclists, and we had a blast visiting with customers at our SAG support station at Mt. Brighton.

Below are photos from the event. Be sure to check out the Tour de Livingston Facebook page and Hometown Bicycles’ Facebook page for more posts on one of our favorite local events!

From left: Cyclists gathering at dawn; Shaun & Dawn join Race Director Peter Bowen to draw the raffle bike winner; Congrats to Jack L. for winning our Jamis!

From left: Lining up for take-off; Debbie G. and son rode the Hometown tandem in the Tour; Riders refresh at the Hometown Bicycles Whitmore Lake rest stop.

…

Bike Lights & Night Safety Clinic: Get Lit!

WHAT: In this clinic, we’ll cover everything from the various styles, features, and benefits of bike lights, to where they go and why, to which lights you need and which you don’t.

Immediately after, anyone who’s interested can join us for a Devil’s Night Shop Ride, where you’ll be able to take our lights for a test spin! This ride will be a short, Island Lake road and trail mash-up for all levels of riders. We’ll finish up with a cozy autumn bonfire back at the shop.

WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30TH at 6:00PM

WHERE: Hometown Bicycles of Brighton

Although there’s no charge, we do ask that you register in advance, so that we can plan ahead and make this an awesome event for everyone!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR OUR FREE BIKE LIGHT CLINIC

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VICKY’S 100-MILE AUTUMN ADVENTURE
Customer Highlight: Riding the Apple Cider Century

(Photo op at Apple Cider Century: Vicky’s 3rd from the right. Photo courtesy of Vicky.)

Intelligent, fun, bike obsessed… Vicky Vulaj is one of our favorite cyclists! Vicky recently rode the Apple Cider Century – all glorious, vibrant, 100 miles of it – and came out of it smiling ear to ear. Here’s what Vicky has to say about cycling:

“I love being a Triathlete. With each discipline, I learn something new about my body and my will. But, with cycling, I learn so much more about my own self, my drive and perseverance. I started riding casually on my Schwinn, around Kensington mostly (not the road, the path) and it served me well for the time but as I looked more and more forward to getting on my bike, I knew I needed something that was smoother and faster and got my first road bike, my Jamis.

As important as speed is in a Triathlon, I personally look forward to settling into the saddle and gauging my form and strength, once my body and bike are in sync, I feel like the bike is an extension of me and I can relax, take in my surroundings (as I so often do, even in a race) and breath in the air. I love that feeling of forward movement that only comes from a bike, sure we run and swim but it’s so different, so much more rewarding.

My training rides have taken me into Island Lake, South Lyon, Dexter and Chelsea and I love them every bit as much (or more) than any competition. I’ve also ridden a few centuries and a few metric centuries. I’m so grateful to have discovered cycling and hope to keep rolling and improving for a long, long time.”

And here’s what she has to say about the Apple Cider Century:

“Simply stated, The Apple Cider Century is a wonderful, scenic and very enjoyable Fall Ride. The quaint town of Three Oaks, Michigan provided a great overall experience; from the genuinely welcoming locals, easy in-and-out traffic, and most importantly Nelson’s Saloon for great burgers and beer
(however, the ride does include a spaghetti dinner).

Packet-pickup was efficient and well-organized considering they had to roll-out over 5,000 riders. The energy was in high-gear and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees with blue skies for miles and miles. The trails were well marked and maps were provided. SAG support was plentiful with vehicles throughout the course and the SAG stops were plentiful with water, gatorade and snacks for refueling.

Most importantly, for me, the eclectic course provided scenery that kept us constantly in the presence of our surroundings and never bored. From canopies of tree-lined and winding country roads, creeks and bridges to vast fields of grazing land, with beautifully architectured farmhouses, “eau de farmland” included It was a mini vacation; a day to grab your bike and explore the part of our state that takes you away from the daily grind.

The Apple Cider Century is a great ride that offers all the ingredients of an enjoyable day and discussions of next years tour happened on the drive home.”

………………………

BRIGHTON’S BUILDING BIKE PATHS!
Community Highlight: Get the scoop on this bike-friendly plan

Have you heard the good news?! Brighton Township is, as we type, laying out bike-friendly pathways that will stretch from Old 23 to Pleasant Valley along Grand River and eventually connect at Kensington Road. The lane will pass right in front of our Brighton store, and we’ve been enjoying the bustle of surveyors as they plot the route. WHOO-HOO!

Want to know more? Check out the links below:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROPOSED PATHWAY MAP

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL PATHWAY PLAN

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RESPECT THE BRAND – RESPECT THE LAW
Industry Highlight: One retailer’s mission to enforce safe cycling

Something we should institute at Hometown Bicycles? Three cheers for this industry-championing retailer who refuses to let irresponsible cyclists give cycling a bad name.

READ THIS BICYCLE RETAILER ARTICLE HERE