Love for Your Bike, Your Fellow Cyclists, and Your Bike Shop

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Shaun

Choose Your Own Adventure… er, Products!

LET US KNOW WHAT REVS YOUR RIDE
We like to call Hometown Bicycles the shop that was built BY the people, FOR the people. Your loyalty and patronage is what got us to where we are today, and helps drive our decision making for Hometown’s ongoing evolution!

Along the way, you’ve been giving us feedback on product you’d like to see in our shop. Awesome! We’ve been connecting with new vendors who can help us meet your needs.

Over the coming months, we’ll be inviting new vendors to demo their products at our shop, so that you can meet the reps and scope out the products you’ve been asking for. Pay attention to our newsletters for these opportunities, and keep a weather eye out for the occasional survey to help us understand what you like best.

We’ve always been YOUR bike shop. Let’s take that to the next level!

TEAM NEWS: CRUSHING IT AT TREE FARM!

Team Hometown Bicycles returned home from last weekend’s Novi Tree Farm Relay in a blaze of glory! Not just four, but FIVE teams of four sported the Hometown jersey (when they weren’t in costume) – the sea of Hometown participation was, in and of itself, glory-worthy. But there were also 3 Team podiums to celebrate – first places, all!

FIRST PLACE – COSTUME DIVISION (above, top)
Congrats, Cobra Kai (who moonlight as Hometown Bicycles crew), Tim Bart, Colin Woods, Rocco Mularoni, and Andrew Jackson!

FIRST PLACE – CO-ED DIVISION (above, bottom right)
Helmets off to the lightspeed pedal power of Olga “The Romanian Rocket” Negrut, Doug Queener, Justin Hamm, and John Wyatt!

FIRST PLACE – MEN’S SPORT CLASS (above, bottom left)
Kudos on some pretty slick speed work from Matt Maximoff (a Team Sponsor), Scott Simpson, Brandon Bailey, and Aaron Smith!

We were also proud to be represented by the great sportsmanship of Paul Andres, Bryan Beach, Leslie Cook, Michael Dyer, Roger Pelkey, Steve Steinberg, Jim Thompson, and Linc Wehrly. Trail conditions started off sloppy, and progressively dried, so an additional shout out to the trailblazers who took one for their teams in the form of mud-encrusted bikes and gear. We happen to know a great place for getting your bikes cleaned and back to fighting fit… just sayin’!

PLEASE VOTE HOURLY THROUGH AUGUST 13TH!

SINGLES RIDE: WHO’S IN??

Matchmaker, matchmaker, pedal me a match… it’s said that one of the best ways to meet a special someone is by sharing a common interest. Call me a romantic, but I think that the combination of pedal-powered locomotion, fresh air, good company, and mutual helmet hair creates prime conditions for the warm fuzzies. My husband and I met over bikes!

Matchmakers, we are not, but we can at least set the stage for possibility! Please help us gauge interest in a Singles Ride* by completing an easy-peasy, 5-question, Singles Ride survey HERE. Thanks for your input, single Hometownies!

*This ride would be for single men and women, ages 18 and older.

POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – FALL EDITION: IT’S A GO!!

Good news… no, FANTASTIC news!! The uber-successful yoga-bike-beer event that we supported this past Spring has been resurrected for a round 2 on Saturday, September 30th.

Based out of Downtown Brighton’s beautiful Brewery Becker, this event opens with beginner-friendly yoga, courtesy of event coordinator Tocca Massage & Yoga, follows up with a scenic and recreational bike ride with Hometown Bicycles (new route!), and ends with a long, cool pull from the taps of Brewery Becker.

Registration is limited to 50, so if you missed out last time, be sure to hit the link below, like, IMMEDIATELY!
REGISTER NOW FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – FALL EDITION

21 DAYS OF ACTIVE PLAY FAMILY CHALLENGE

Fitness… Family time… Fun… Now, that’s a program we can throw some rpm behind! Here’s the scoop:

More than $2,000 in prizes are up for grabs, and all you have to do is PLAY!

Sky Zone Brighton, Hometown Bicycles, and Body Within Personal Training have teamed up to bring you the FREE 21 Days of Active Play Challenge. We are challenging Livingston County families to commit to 21 Days of Active Play this August. From going on walks together, to riding bikes, to jumping around on trampolines, families will pledge to spend a minimum of one hour per day being active.

Registration is open NOW through August 3rd. The Challenge begins August 4th.

Be sure to read up on the amazing prizes, mid-challenge incentives, and final wrap up party. You’ll find details and a registration link HERE.

AMY’S BLOG: JULY 27, 2017

Here’s your latest race update from Hometown’s Amy Gluck, an IRONMAN competitor who nearly lost her life after getting hit by a gravel truck, and is now intensely and personally driven to overcome her new physical challenges, and the naysayers who say she can’t, all the way back to IRONMAN:

I pushed hard on my road bike during the race. Between not setting up my Garmin correctly and a non-functioning speedometer (I’d switched up wheels a number of times), I had to wait until after the race to find out that I had biked 3:16 faster at the Pterodactyl triathlon than I had at the Triceratops triathlon. Yeah, road bike!… READ ON

Amy’s full blogs are posted HERE on our website.

MEET YOUR CREW: COLIN WOOD

Colin makes an art of being helpful. He’s studious, he’s polite, he’s intelligent, he’s friendly, and he’s scary fast on a bike! Many a customer have commented on Colin’s charisma on the sales floor. He’s carried on the tradition of equating the name “Wood” to overall awesomeness, as started in Hometown’s early years by his brother Austin. We’ll sure miss him when he heads off to college! Here’s Colin’s story:

I was 8 years old the first time my father took me mountain biking. Since then, I have gone from closing my eyes every time I get near a tree, to competing at the highest level within Michigan. My sophomore year of high school, I joined the Brighton Cycling Club. That year I finished as the 2nd place overall JV racer in the State. I was hooked. This past season I finished 3rd place in the Varsity Points series, as well as claiming victory at my home course, Island Lake. This fall I will be attending Colorado School of Mines to study Mechanical Engineering. While at Mines, I plan on racing for their cycling team. Working at Hometown has provided me with the ability to be around my favorite type of people, cyclists, and has given me the knowledge of everything bike related.

WISHING YOU SPEEDY RECOVERIES, BRIAN AND MEL!

Team Hometown’s Mel Robinson and his trusty recumbent are regulars at shop rides and events. This kind soul and avid cyclist is currently on the mend from open heart surgery. Mel, we just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery – can’t wait to see you back on your bike!

Another heal-quickly shout out goes to a man who has religiously gone above and beyond in service of Team Hometown Bicycles and the shop. This one’s for Team Captain, Brian Forhan, whose pending back surgery puts him out of outdoor cycling for the remainder of the season. Brian, if you get itchy legs, know that you’re welcome at the shop any time for bike talk, beer, and other cycling geekery!

REGISTER NOW FOR DOC MAY MELON RIDE ON 8/19

Hometown’s been proud to be the ongoing sponsor of this charming and delicious, Doc May Memorial Melon Ride on Saturday, August 19th at 9am.

Our Team and Crew marks off the route, leads off and mans the ride, provides on-site SAG support, and also offers bike valet service until 2pm, so you can enjoy the Festival without worrying about your two-wheeled babies!

Now’s the time to lock in your registration – which gives you a chance to win the sweet Jamis cruiser bike that we’ve donated to the cause! REGISTER NOW!

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL MORNING ROAD RIDE (7/27)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come check out the Thursday Social A.M. Road ride as we hit the back entrance to Island Lake and explore the park roads. 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. Check HERE for ride details.

SATURDAY TOUR DE LIVINGSTON PREP RIDE (7/29)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come grow with this weekly ride as we start with 10 – 15 miles and stretch the distance week by week. Route will be on the park roads. Road bikes are preferred for this ride. All level riders are welcome. 12 – 15 mph pace, 1.5 hours. Follow this Facebook event for updates.

SUNDAY HARTLAND GRAVEL GRINDER (7/30)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
We’re up to nearly 36 miles with approx. 2,000′ of climb on beautiful country roads (and limited pavement) – all with wonderful ride companions! Expect a 13-15 MPH “NO DROP” pace. Cross/Gravel, Mountain, and Fat bikes are welcome. Meet in the lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353. Click here for this Facebook event.

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (7/30)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a Beginner Friendly mountain bike trail ride which encourages riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases! This week, we’ll explore 9 – 15 miles of the Island Lake Mountain Bike trails. All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. We do ask that riders under 15 remain with their guardian throughout the ride. Be mindful that the trail has several hills and some minimum level of fitness will be helpful to make for a positive experience for this planned 1.5 hour ride. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged to join this ride. You can find this Facebook event here.

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (7/31)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Come join the Hometown Bicycles crew for this NO DROP ride. Road bikes only please. We’ll ride Island Lake roads to the well-known “Green Dumpster” and back – approx 12 – 15 miles. Those ready for more will group up to take on more mileage! Expect a 12 – 17+ mph pace to accommodate riders’ skill levels. All levels are welcome – we’ll split into groups according to experience and speed, with a sweep to bring up the rear. Click to check out the Facebook event page!

Please make sure you have some experience riding the bike you bring to this ride and are comfortable with the way it handles, including basic shifting and braking, for the safety of all. Beyond that, our friendly ride support are delighted to share tips on how to make the hills easier and the flats faster – just ask!

TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE (8/1)
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 for just over an hour, covering 13+ miles at a 12 – 13 mph average pace. Gravel, adventure, or mountain/fat bikes required (not appropriate for skinny tires). All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Check here for ride updates.

WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST (no Son of Hammerfest this week) (8/2)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles

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 Island Lake roads. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph! Check Facebook for ride updates.

WEDNESDAY SLOW ROLL WITH HOMETOWN (8/2)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
It’s time to dial it back on this social, slow paced road ride (~ 8-10 mph). If you have a need-for-speed, this is NOT the ride for you! Bring your cruiser or whatever you like as we Slow Roll down sidewalks and streets. Expect to cross Grand River, possibly a couple climbs/descents, and beautiful park landscape. May not be suitable for young, unseasoned kids. Parents, please decide what is safe for your family, as there are no lights or designated crosswalks for Grand River or Academy. This is a NO DROP ride. Check HERE for ride details.

THURSDAY BAKERY SOCIAL MORNING ROAD RIDE (8/3)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Wal-Mart in New Hudson – **Special start location!**
It was fun, so we’re going to do it again! Bring along your wallet for a tasty treat or coffee as we pedal to a Bakery via the rails-to-trails system. It will be a 5-mile, ~10 mph pace, relatively hill-free ride. Does include a busy road crossing. Ride whatever bike will work for the pace and your desired exercise level for this NO DROP ride. Follow along on Facebook for ride updates.

Meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot – take the entrance right off Lyon Center Drive between the Wal-Mart/Lowe’s, turn right, and stay closest to the Lyon Center Drive end of the parking lot.

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

(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 fitness programs running right here at your favorite bike shop:

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

DYNAMIC YOGA | Fridays – August 4, 11 & 18
$10 drop in – With Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more

Zumba with Leslie Barrett at Hometown Bicycles ZUMBA | Mondays at 6PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more

As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.

– Winnie the Pooh

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 21 Days of Active Play, Amy Gluck, amy's blog, Ashley Knuth, beginner rides, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike race, bike rides, bike shop, bikes, Body Within Personal Training, Brewery Becker, Brian Forhan, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, challenge, Cobra Kai, Colin Wood, cycling, cyclists, Doc May Melon Ride, family, financing, fitness classes, fun, gravel grinder, group rides, Hammerfest, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownie, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, matchmaker, Mel Robinson, Michigan, mountain biking, Novi Tree Farm Relay, Poses Pedals and Pints, shop rides, singles ride, Sky Zone Brighton, synchrony, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tocca Massage and Yoga, Vote 4 the best, yoga, zumba | Leave a comment »

What’s a Yoga-Bike-Beer-athon?

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Shaun

(Hometown Bicycles ran the “Pedals” portion of the event, including bike valet, route design, and quite possibly the world’s best route marking job!)

LAST WEEKEND’S POSES, PEDALS & PINTS WAS A RAGING SUCCESS…
…with an invigorating Vinyasa yoga start courtesy of Tocca Massage & Yoga, a Hometownified fun roll through the subdivisions of Brighton, and a cool pint at Brewery Becker to bring it all home.

Our love and gratitude to the fantastic Team peeps that made this event possible, manning Hometown’s bike valet, keeping participants on course, greeting, registering, you-name-it-they-helped… you are a credit to your jersey!! Thanks, too, to Ride Coordinator Jean for orchestrating the volunteer participation!

(Team Hometown Bicycles raised the awesomeness bar – and a glass – for a job very well done!)

Shout out to Terry McNamara, who took fantastic photos of the event, and is offering them HERE for download, free of charge!

Hometown proudly donated its share of the event proceeds right back to the Yoga Strong Scholarship, founded by Ashley of Tocca, that annually supports the collegiate ambitions of highly driven female athletes from Brighton High School.

(Give this gal a hug! Ashley Knuth, owner of Tocca Massage & Yoga and founder of Poses, Pedals & Pints, kicked it all off with the yoga portion of the event.)

Missed out? You’ll be SO glad to know that we’re already planning a September 30th revisit for Poses, Pedals & Pints. Stay alert – when registration opens, spots will go fast!

(Team Hometownie Marilyn – left – greeted participants at the door of the gorgeous Brewery Becker of Downtown Brighton, owned by Brewmaster Matt Becker – right – and wife Christina. What a perfect location for this event!)

SPRING SNOWMAN PUTS A SPRING IN ADAM’S STEP

Adam, congratulations, you’ve won… (cue Bob Barker) A NEW BIKE!!!
For the past several emails, you’ve seen us promote the Spring Snowman Run/Walk. It’s hosted annually by the Eric Hartwell Foundation, a remarkable organization created by the much-loved Hartwell Family (a particularly awesome group of Hometownies) to raise money to “directly support children, diagnosed with Leukemia and other blood disorders, being treated at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.”

We’ve donated a bicycle to this deeply worthy event for years now. Our congrats this year goes to Walled Lake’s Adam Shinabarger, who is head-over-heels for his new ride! Welcome to the Hometown and Jamis families, Adam. We wish you many, many miles of adventures!

And congrats, too, to the Eric Hartwell Foundation for another phenomenal event! Your next chance to win a bike will be at next year’s race on May 12, 2018. Start training!

THIS SUNDAY: ISLAND LAKE CHALLENGE MTB RACE

If Island Lake is your mountain biking mothership, the Island Lake Challenge Mountain Bike Race on Sunday, May 21st is SO for you!! You’ll be lapping the locally-loved Yellow Loop for a chance to win home-turf bragging rights. Be sure to keep a weather eye out for the unmissable Team Hometown jerseys. We wouldn’t miss an opportunity to race in our own backyard!

MCMBA KEEPS ‘EM COMING – MILFORD BIKE FEST

Hot on the heels of the MCMBA Demo Day, Hometown’s hitched it’s sponsorship buggy to MCMBA’s Milford Bike Festival & Trail Challenge!

This June 3rd event gives you a day of family-friendly trail/path riding, guided rides (new this year!), live music, food, raffles, and beer. It’s only $20 pre-registered or $25 day-of, with all proceeds benefitting the MCMBA, which VERY actively preserves, protects, and promotes our local parks and mountain bike trails. That’s a worthwhile cause we’re proud to support!

CLICK for details or to register now!

(Images at left courtesy Rocco Mularoni)

MEET THE CREW: ROCCO MULARONI

Rocco is another returning rockstar, who’s stepping up this summer to co-lead our Service Department to new and glorious heights. With a heart of gold and strong family values, Rocco is an extremely welcome addition to our Hometown Crew. Rocco says:

I’ve been riding bikes since kindergarten, when I used to spend weekends at Waterford Oaks racing BMX. My dad got me into mountain biking around that time as well and I always enjoyed riding with him. Sports began consuming most of my time, with football, hockey, and lacrosse so I had less time for riding. In high school I was playing football and lacrosse for Detroit Catholic Central. Senior year I decided to drop football and was looking for something else, so I picked up mountain biking again and have only gotten more passionate since. I am playing lacrosse at Hope College now, but still enjoy getting on my road or mountain bike as often as possible. Besides bikes I also enjoy working on cars, a skill that I learned from countless late nights in the garage with my dad. I love working at Hometown because it allows me to work on bikes which I’ve always loved, and it allows me to do it with some of my closest friends which is even better.

(This Friday Night Lights GoPro video came by way of Kevin Machuga – thanks, Kevin! No FNL this week, but we meet up again next Friday for a night loop of Brighton Rec – stay tuned!)

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL RIDE (5/18)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us as we explore our local park roads, paved paths and sometimes – a bakery! All bikes welcome. Expect to average 10 mph for 1.5+ hours as we cover 13 – 18 miles. NO DROP RIDE.

NO FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Join our Brighton Rec night ride next week!

SUNDAY HARTLAND GRAVEL GRINDER (5/21)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Township Hall
Scenic, very HILLY dirt roads with a few miles of pavement for connectors. Expect to venture across a changing route of 25 to 40 miles at a 13 – 15 mph pace. (Did I mention it was hilly?) All types of bikes are welcome on this NO DROP RIDE. Hartland Twp. Hall lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (5/21)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Beginner friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. Expect to venture out past Island Lake throughout the season to Brighton’s Murray Lake, Milford, Maybury, and Waterloo’s DTE Trail. If Poto is your goal, this is the weekly ride to get you there by the end of the season! Save 1.5 hours of your day to cover 12 – 16 miles of trail with the Hometown crew. NO DROP RIDE.

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (5/22)
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 (5/23)
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 (5/24)
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!

THURSDAY MORNING SOCIAL RIDE (5/25)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us as we explore our local park roads, paved paths and sometimes – a bakery! All bikes welcome. Expect to average 10 mph for 1.5+ hours as we cover 13 – 18 miles. NO DROP RIDE.

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

(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 fitness programs running right here at your favorite bike shop:

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

DYNAMIC YOGA | Fridays at 9:00AM (starting June 16)
$10 class fee – With Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more

Zumba with Leslie Barrett at Hometown Bicycles ZUMBA | Mondays at 6PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more

Not all those who wander are lost.

– J.R.R. Tolkien

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Adam Shinabarger, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike shop, bike valet, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, cycling, cyclists, Eric Hartwell Foundation, fitness classes, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Island Lake Challenge MTB Race, Jamis, Jean Steinberg, jersey, livingston county, Matt and Christina Becker, MCMBA, Michigan, Milford Bike Festival and Trail Challenge, Pedals and Pints, Poses, Ride Coordinator, Rocco Mularoni, shop rides, Spring Snowman 5K, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tocca Massage and Yoga, vinyasa yoga, volunteers, yellow loop | Leave a comment »

Mom’s Day Giveaways, Stampedes, and Bikes and Brews in Brighton

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Shaun

THIS SUNDAY, IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU…
Moms are multi-tasking, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, and multi-talented rockstars. Am I tooting my own horn? Probably, but the point is that the mom in your life deserves royal treatment this Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14th), and we’re going to help!

This Sunday, moms will enjoy flowers and refreshments, compliments of your Hometown crew. There’ll be t-shirt give-aways. AND, the first 20 bikes purchased by or for a mom come with a COMPLIMENTARY Hometown Bicycles Mother’s Day package, which includes a cycle computer, safety light, bottle cage, water bottle, and seat bag at NO ADDITIONAL COST.

You have done and continue to do so much for us, moms – this is just our way of saying we love you, we appreciate you, and we want you to have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

TODAY: “TRIATHLON 101” CLINIC WITH AMY GLUCK

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!

CLICK TO ATTEND TRIATHLON 101 WITH AMY GLUCK
Thursday, May 11th at 6pm in the Community Room

THE TEAM REPRESENTS AT MUD, SWEAT & BEERS

Mud, Sweat & Beers Fat Tire Fest and Mountain Bike Race. As their website notes: “The name of our race says it all: get ready to be sweaty.”

Team Hometown’s Paul Andres, Scooter Gates, Mike Dyer, and Scott Simpson all expended some serious electrolytes in the pursuit of personal goals and podium time. Congrats to Scott Simpson, for a well-earned 3rd in his division! And thanks to all for taking our Team up to beautiful Traverse City!

A TEAM TRIUMPHANT AT FORT CUSTER STAMPEDE

“Stampede” in the Fort Custer Stampede Mountain Bike Race would seem to reference Team Hometown’s en masse charge to the podium last weekend! Olga “The Romanian Rocket” Negrut placed 2nd in her division, Doug Queener took a sweet 3rd in his, and Roger Pelkey nabbed 2nd place with his swift ride! Shout out, too, to Justin Ham who made solid headway in a super challenging Expert class.

LOOK FOR US THIS SATURDAY IN DOWNTOWN BRIGHTON!

Do you remember, from earlier newsletters, a little something called Poses, Pedals & Pints? It’s a dream triathlon of yoga, cycling, and beer, and it’s happening this Saturday morning (5/13) in Downtown Brighton. Look for these fun, “smurf” blue event t-shirts (see above) stretching, cycling, and sipping at Brewery Becker!

Hometown’s running the cycling portion, and manning the event with Team volunteers. If you’re at the Farmer’s Market, stop by our tent and say “hello!” Helmet tip to event founder, Tocca Massage & Yoga, and co-sponsors Brewery Becker, Ceo Wilson Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance, Financial Architects, Inc., Lake Trust Credit Union (a personal fave of ours), and Kensington Valley Varsity.

Missed registration? Don’t despair! Plans are underway for future remixes – stay tuned!

DON’T YOU JUST LOVE A FIRST CLASS BIKE DEMO??

We sure did this past Saturday, at the MCMBA’s 12th Annual Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day! With a powerhouse combo of Crew and Team (thanks, volunteers!), we made all sorts of new friends and reconnected with old ones. Our Jamis and Framed demo bikes were put through their paces, and got a lotta love from happy cyclists.

Our top kudos to Team Hometown Bicycles’ Steve Steinberg, who chaired this whopper of an MCMBA event. Well ran, Steve… well ran.

MCMBA KEEPS ‘EM COMING – MILFORD BIKE FEST

Hot on the heels of the MCMBA Demo Day, Hometown’s hitched it’s sponsorship buggy to MCMBA’s Milford Bike Festival & Trail Challenge!

CLICK for details or to register now!

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY COMPETITION WINNER

This week, Hometown was a super-geeked Sponsor of Howell Parks & Rec’s Bike to School Day competition, in which Howell elementary schools competed to see who could rally the largest number of students to bike into school Wednesday morning.

Our congrats to Northwest Elementary, which took home the gold with 160 student cyclists. Doesn’t that just make your heart sing?! The future of cycling is looking good, indeed!

Spencer Elementary of Brighton Annual Live Auction and Carnival Fundraiser
(Images courtesy Lisa Sanzica)

SUPERHERO SUCCESS STORY AT SPENCER

Last week, I talked about Hometown’s support of my own elementary alma mater at their “Calling All Superheroes” 29th Annual Live Auction & Spring Carnival.

Since Hometown was running full bore at Demo Day, our Spencer insider, Lisa Sanzica, kindly shared the photos above (thanks, Lisa!), and informed us that the event was an unmitigated success, with a flood of dollars and support for “cultural enrichment programs, field trips, monthly assemblies and updating our playground area.”

Congratulations, Spencer Elementary of Brighton, on a fantastic event, and thanks for allowing us to be a part of your success!

(This is everyone, sans CycloDan – I promise to Photoshop you in as soon as I get the chance, Dan!)

YOUR HOMETOWN CREW HAS GROWN…

Our Crew is blooming right along with the Spring greenery! Get ready to meet new additions and spot familiar faces over the coming newsletters. Let’s start with a Hometown legend…

MEET THE CREW: TIM BART

Tim became part of the Hometown family a-WAYYYYYYYYYY back in early 2013. Even back then, he was one of our customers’ favorites – a fact that hasn’t changed in the passing years. Despite his intense scholastic career as a full time engineering student, Tim has found his way back home to Hometown for the summer. You’ll spot him on the floor, being just as much of a stellar resource to our customers as he ever was. Tim says:

Cycling started for me as a mountain biking hobby that sounded like a fun thing to do with my brother. He took me into Hometown to get my first mountain bike and I left that trip with an awesome new bike, and an awesome new job! This led to an obsession to all things bikes and a lifestyle to include cycling as a major part. Through the group rides, the training grind, and the races, Hometown has been by my side and I am proud to call myself part of the Hometown crew and community!

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (5/12)
8:45PM (meet at 8:30) from Hometown Bicycles
Bring your lights for this mountain bike ride, as we’ll be dashing through the dark at times. This lively crew will be night cycling Island Lake from Hometown Bicycles and complete the 16 miles in 1.5 hours. They like to change up the scenery, so watch the Hometown Bicycles Newsletter and Facebook for future weekly start location.

NO SATURDAY RIDE – We’ll be at Poses, Pedals & Pints!

NO SUNDAY RIDES – Mother’s Day, but our shop is still open!

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (5/15)
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 (5/16)
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 (5/17)
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!

THIS WEEKEND! SPRING SNOWMAN 5K

Spring Snowman 5K Run/Walk is hosted by the Eric Hartwell Foundation, a remarkable organization created by the Hartwell Family (a particularly awesome group of Hometownies) to raise money to “directly support children, diagnosed with Leukemia and other blood disorders, being treated at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.” Participants have a chance to win a Jamis bike, donated by Hometown Bicycles. Great cause. Great cross-training. Great prize.

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

(Image courtesy Tocca Massage & Yoga. Shout-out to loyal Hometownies Fred & Kelly [middle and right]!)

COMING SOON! YOGA FOR EVERY BODY

Good news for your overworked, under appreciated cycling muscles – Ashley of Tocca Massage & Yoga is bringing her insanely popular Vinyasa Yoga class back to Hometown!

Held in our Community Room, this 3-week, Friday morning fun class starts June 16th at 9am. It’s all about dynamic movement and stretching, not perfection and freaky, double-jointed pretzeling. Whether it’s your first or 500th class, you’ll gain immeasurable benefit from this ancient art made user-friendly. $10 per class.

CLICK HERE to register or email ashley@toccamassage.com.

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.

– Susan Sontag

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Amy Gluck, beer, bicycle repair, bicycle sales, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, Bike Demo, bike shop, Bike to School Day, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, carnival, Ceo Wilson Agency, CS Motts Childrens Hospital, cycling, cyclists, CycloDan, Demo day, Doug Queener, Downtown Brighton, family friendly, Farm Bureau Insurance, fat tire, Financial Architects Inc, Fort Custer Stampede, framed bikes, Fred Purol, Friday Night Lights, Gravel Grinding 101, group rides, guided rides, Hammerfest, Happy Mother's Day, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown crew, Hometownies, Howell, Howell Area Parks and Rec Authority, Island Lake, Jamis, Justin Ham, Kelly Popa, Kensington Valley Varsity, Lake Trust Credit Union, Lisa Sanzica, live auction, livingston county, love, MCMBA, Michigan, mike dyer, Milford Bike Festival and Trail Challenge, mountain bike race, mountain bike ride, mountain bikes, Mud Sweat and Beers, Northwest Elementary, Olga Negrut, Paul Andres, podium, Poses Pedals and Pints, registration, road bikes, road ride, Roger Pelkey, Scooter Gates, Scott Simpson, shop rides, smurf blue, Son of Hammerfest, Spencer Elementary, sponsors, sponsorship, Spring Snowman 5K, Steve Steinberg, success, Team Hometown Bicycles, The Romanian Rocket, Tim Bart, Tocca Massage and Yoga, Traverse City, triathletes, Triathlon 101 Clinic, triathlons, vinyasa yoga, yoga | Leave a comment »

Hometownies, here’s your Team!

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Shaun

(Above: Many of our Team riders from last weekend’s Team Night Kit Pick-Up Party)

WE’RE REMARKABLY PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO TEAM HOMETOWN BICYCLES 2017! These 56 riders have taken up the challenge to positively represent your bike shop and your sport in our community and in competition.

We want you to know that each of these riders has committed to being the best version of themselves, to advocate for cycling, to do right by their community, to ride with sportsmanship and integrity, to be kind, welcoming, and helpful, and to HAVE FUN!

So the next time you run into a Team member, please, shake their hand… they’re on a mission to support and grow the sport you love, and to give cyclists a good name!!

OUR TEAM BATTLES WATERLOO

No Napoleon Complexes here… just a bunch of sturdy Team survivors, who cycled the slick and sloppy roads of last weekend’s Waterloo G&G Gravel Road Race. There were a few spills and sore muscles but, in true Hometown form, nothing could dampen Team spirits – 10 Team members rocked it on the course, and two even podiumed this insanely popular race! Way to go, Team!

Roger Pelkey, congratulations on powering into 3rd in your age division!

And Deb Godmer (of Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp… have we mentioned how cool our Team Sponsors are?!) placed 2nd in her age division – and this was her first 50K mountain bike race!!

(Image courtesy Joe Van Gordon)

OUR TEAM THAWS OUT AT MELTING MANN

Team member, Joe Van Gordon, took Hometown to Vandalia, MI the day after Waterloo to race the roads at Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge. Way to represent, Joe!

Joe’s volunteered himself to lead a Hometown singles ride, if there’s enough interest. Any takers??

(Images at left courtesy Amy Gluck)

MEET YOUR CREW: AMY GLUCK

The newest member of our crew is the big-hearted Amy Gluck, who you’ll spot strolling the sales floor and up at the register. Amy will also be helping us grow our involvement in triathlon and women’s cycling. She has a particularly remarkable story to tell:

I’ve loved Hometown since my first trip there…..from Island Lake….in need of a spare tube….in the middle of a long ride….

I was taken over by cycling following my unexpected addiction to triathlon. Now I’ve completed 9 Ironmans, with 5 Kona qualifications, numerous 1/2 Ironmans, and even more sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. I’ve tried time trialing in Hines Park, but it didn’t give me the same satisfaction as triathlon. That’s probably because running was always my strength in triathlon.

Until a day that changed my life forever. After a week of training in France on numerous climbs from the Tour. Followed by a killer training camp down in the mountains in Georgia. I was sure to be in my best shape for Kona ever in my life! However, 4 weeks before Kona, while I was out on a training ride, I was hit by a semi who made an illegal left turn right into me.

This resulted in a fake hip, femur, and knee. Killing my running game altogether. I’m working on getting that back and I’ve competed in a few 1/2 IM Aquabikes (swim, bike) this past summer. This summer, I plan to do a few sprint distance triathlons at Island Lake (the T-Rex Series). Hoping that comes back so I can work my way back to longer distance triathlons. In order for me to get back to my longer distance triathlons, I’m going to need to get back in the habit of riding with groups of riders so I always have someone to ride with! So Hometownies, I NEED YOU to help pull me back up to where I belong!

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K – CROSS-TRAINING THAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

HERE’S AN EVENT TO WET YOUR WHISTLE…

Poses, Pedals & Pints on Saturday, May 13th
It’s a triathlon of a different color – yoga, bikes, and beer with a laid back vibe in Downtown Brighton. Yoga commences at 11am at Brewery Becker. Hometown’s in charge of the leisurely 8-mile bike ride that follows, along with bike valet service. And it all concludes with a refreshing pint at the Brewery to cool your gullet.

It’s already over half filled, so sign up NOW, to ensure your participation in this first annual event!

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, MARCH 25 – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES @ 12:45 P.M.
We’re back with another adventure through the Island Lakes Badlands on this relaxed pace, NO DROP shop ride. Be prepared to push your bike up a hill or two! This is a Plus/Fat Bike expedition. Not appropriate for “skinny” tires. As always, follow us on Facebook for ride confirmations and updates.

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

I don’t have a bucket list, but my bikeit list is a mile long.

– Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: advocate, Amy Gluck, bicycle shop, bicycles, bicycling, bike race, bike shop, bike team, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, community, competition, cycling, cyclists, Deb Godmer, Eric Hartwell Foundation, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bikes, group rides, Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown crew, integrity, Ironman, Joe Van Gordon, Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge, Michigan, P3, podium, Poses Pedals and Pints, racers, riders, Roger Pelkey, shop rides, singles ride, sportsmanship, Spring Snowman 5K, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tocca Massage and Yoga, triathlon, Waterloo G and G Gravel Road Race | Leave a comment »

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