Brighton Optimist Club | Hometown Bicycles

Visit us downtown this Friday & Saturday at Taste of Brighton

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Shaun

Vote 4 the BEST!
Through Sunday at 11 PM

Hometown Bicycles is on the list! AND CURRENTLY IN FIRST PLACE thanks to you!

Continue to show Southeast Michigan that we are the BEST BIKE SHOP by voting in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best Contest!

Voting runs through Sunday, July 14 at 11 PM. You can vote often and much… every hour, in fact… we know that’s a heck-of-a-lot of voting, but anything you can do to help is so appreciated!

To vote:

Visit the Click on Detroit website HERE
Choose the Sports & Recreation category
Select Hometown Bicycles

It’s that simple! Add it to your bookmarks to make it even easier.

(PSSST!!! Dawn here, sneaking in a quick message! DID YOU KNOW that your Hometown Events Coordinator AND newsletter correspondent is also the best Zumba instructor in SE Michigan, and teaches right here at Hometown!? Please VOTE FOR ‘ZUMBA WITH LESLIE BARRETT’, too!!! (She’s in the Fitness category, under Zumba!)
Let’s rock this, Hometownies!

Visit Hometown at A Taste of Brighton
TOMORROW & SATURDAY!
July 12-13, 10 AM-10 PM

Hometown’s headed downtown for the annual A Taste of Brighton summer festival and we want to see you there! On Friday and Saturday, we’ll give festival-goers a flavor of what makes our shop and our sport so darn special. Our tent will be crankin’ with our Service Crew demo-ing what we’re famous for – the best bike repair in Southeast Michigan!

Be sure to stop by our booth for a chance to win THIS Jamis Trail X A2 bicycle!!!

Tour de Livingston Kick Off Ride was an absolute BLAST!

Bright and early on Sunday, June 30th, the front lawn of the historic Howell Courthouse was overtaken with cycling enthusiasts. It was a beautiful day for the Tour de Livingston Kick Off Ride! In conjunction with the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, riders enjoyed watching the balloons fly in as they completed 5, 10 or 25-mile loops.

Hometown is stoked to be the Bike Shop Sponsor for Tour de Livingston, to take place on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Rides of all ages and abilities can enjoy the gorgeous fall colors on this fully supported ride.

Proceeds from the event go to the Livingston County United Way to help our county’s most vulnerable with basic needs. Now in its 12th year, the Tour de Livingston, run by the Howell Rotary Club, has raised over $400,000 — amazing! We are so proud to be part of it!
THANK YOU, HOWELL ROTARY CLUB for all you do!

To register for Tour de Livington, click HERE.

Bicycles, Bicycles & more Bicycles PARADED down Main Street!

The Brighton Optimist Club and Hometown Bicycles made a red, white, blue and ORANGE splash at the 4th of July parade! It was a happy sight to see so many children and their parents decked out with their awesomely decorated bicycles riding down Main Street accompanied by Team Hometown members in their bright orange kits!

The mission of the Brighton Optimist Club is “Bringing out the best in children, our members, and the community” — and they did just that and more at this year’s parade. We had a fantastic turnout and great fun! Thank you to everyone who participated in the bike decorating contest and to those who rode, walked and rolled with us. See you next year!

Intro to Mountain Biking: Wednesday, July 17th from 6-8 PM

Island Lake Rec Area, Spring Mill Pond

Calling all beginners! Looking for a new biking experience that goes beyond paved paths? Maybe you are new to Mountain Biking and want to fine-tune your skills?

Join Island Lake Explorer Guide, Becca, and Hometown Bicycles to gain the basics of this exciting sport/recreation activity! This FREE event will focus on mountain biking parts, safety, and lingo and a guided ride. Please come prepared with helmet, closed-toed shoes and your own bike (nothing fancy, but knobby tires will be necessary). Ages 12 and up. All children under 18 must have an adult present.

Don’t have a bike? Inquire about Hometown’s Bike Rental program! We have a variety of bikes and sizes to meet your cycling needs.

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM and Saturdays 9:45 AM$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more
Power 30 | Wednesdays 7 PM
$5 drop in – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays 6 PM and Thursdays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays 9:30 AM and Sundays 10:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, bicycle clinics, bicycle rentals, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike rentals, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Cardio Drumming, click on detroit, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Downtown Brighton, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Fourth of July parade, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, Howell Rotary, intenSati, Island Lake Recreation Area, Jamis Trail X A2, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Livingston County United Way, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, mountain bike clinic, Recreation 101 Intro to Summer, shop rides, Taste of Brighton, Team Hometown Bicycles, tour de livingston kick-off ride, Tresa O’Rourke, Vote 4 the best, zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba with Leslie Barrett | Leave a comment »

Roll with Hometown in TOMORROW’S 4th of July Parade

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Shaun

Ride with Hometown in the 4th of July Parade!
**Downtown Brighton, THIS Thursday at 8 AM**It’s July, which means sunshine and fireworks and PARADES!

In partnership with Brighton Optimist Club, Hometown Bicycles leads a family-friendly ride down Main Street for all ages! It’s a fantastic red, white and blue display of awesomeness to see so many people on bikes, enjoying this tradition with their children and grandchildren.

DON’T MISS OUT!
Click HERE for all details and to sign up!

Note: Hometown is OPEN 4th of July – 9am-3pm!

You’ll be riding in the Parade with Hometown’s own Shaun, Dawn and kids! Bring YOUR kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, and join them for a ride down Main Street!

Lake Trust and Hometown Bicycles:
The Partnership That Keeps On Giving!

What can we say about our amazing relationship with Lake Trust Credit Union? When you bring together two businesses who believe in quality customer service and community-building, magic happens!

And we are tickled absolutely pink over the feature they did on Hometown! Special thanks to Abbie Dyer for her thoughtful interview with Shaun and Dawn and beautifully written piece.

Check it out here:
The Ride to Creating a Well-Loved Business at Hometown Bicycles.

We look forward to many more years of collaboration with Lake Trust, changing the world one relationship at a time!

Hometown Bicycles is nominated: Vote 4 the BEST!

Hometown Bicycles has been nominated for the BEST BIKE SHOP in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best Contest!

Please show us your Hometown LOVE by voting for us!

Voting runs through Sunday, July 14 at 11 PM. You can vote often and much… every hour, in fact… we know that’s a heck-of-a-lot of voting, but anything you can do to help is so appreciated!

To vote:

Visit the Click on Detroit website HERE
Choose the Sports & Recreation category
Select Hometown Bicycles

It’s that simple! Add it to your bookmarks to make it even easier.
Let’s rock this, Hometownies!

Visit Hometown at A Taste of Brighton NEXT WEEK!
Friday and Saturday, July 12-13, 10 AM-10 PM

Next weekend, Hometown’s headed downtown for the annual A Taste of Brighton summer festival and we want to see you there! On Friday and Saturday, we’ll give festival-goers a flavor of what makes our shop and our sport so darn special. Our tent will be crankin’ with our Service Crew demo-ing what we’re famous for – the best bike repair in Southeast Michigan!

A Taste of Brighton is one of Michigan’s top-rated festivals. Highlighting the best of what Brighton has to offer, stop by for outdoor shopping, dining, entertainment and more along Brighton’s Main Street! You can also join in a Zumbo demo with our Events Coordinator and Zumba guru, Leslie Barrett!

More details forthcoming in next week’s e-newsletter!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: A Taste of Brighton, Abbie Dyer, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Dawn Bhajan, Fourth of July Holiday Hours, Fourth of July parade, Hometown Bicycles, Lake Trust Credit Union, livingston county, Michigan, Shaun Bhajan, The Ride to Creating a Well-Loved Business at Hometown Bicycles, Vote 4 the best | Leave a comment »

Tour Kick-Off THIS WEEKEND + Ride in the Parade NEXT WEEK

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Shaun

**THIS SUNDAY!! 6:45 AM!**
Tour de Livingston Kick Off Ride
Join Hometown Bicycles and the Rotary Club of Howell bright and early at this Sunday’s annual Tour de Livingston Kick Off Ride!

Cyclists will meet at the Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell, with the ride starting at 6:45 AM. There will be 5, 10 and 25 mile loops available. All riders will have the opportunity to watch the balloons fly in to the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest and will also receive a commemorative water bottle. Helmets required, please. FREE event!

Mark your calendars for the Tour de Livingston on Sunday, October 6th! Since its inception in 2008, this event offers riders enjoyment of outstanding fall colors during the peak color season in southeast Michigan. This fully supported ride includes hospitality tents, a full breakfast, snacks along the route, and a hearty meal prepared by the chef at Mt. Brighton. All proceeds from this event 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 via the Livingston County United Way Basic Needs Programs.
Team Hometown will be there, loud and proud!

Ride with Hometown in the 4th of July Parade!
Downtown Brighton, NEXT Thursday at 8 AM

Each summer, we really look forward to the Brighton 4th of July Parade — in a collaboration with Brighton Optimist Club, Hometown Bicycles leads a family-friendly ride down Main Street for all ages! It’s a fantastic red, white and blue display of awesomeness to see so many people on bikes, enjoying this tradition with their children and grandchildren.

You have two great options for participating:

Decorate your bike at home and meet us at the contest site at 8 AM. Judging of decorated bicycles will take place at Lynch & Sons, located at 600 E. Main Street in downtown Brighton. Then join our procession in the parade at 10 AM!
Bring your bike and decorations to Hometown Bicycles between Saturday 6/29 and Wednesday 7/3. Decorate your bike at the shop and leave it with us — we will deliver it to the contest site on the 4th! This is a super convenient option so that you can park and easily make your way over to Lynch & Sons without needing to lug your bikes with you. We will also transport your bikes back to Hometown, allowing you to stay downtown and enjoy the festivities.

Click HERE for all details and to sign up!
You’ll be riding in the Parade with Hometown’s own Shaun, Dawn and kids! Bring YOUR kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, and join them for a ride down Main Street!

Hometown Bicycles is nominated: Vote 4 the BEST!

Hometown Bicycles has been nominated for the BEST bike shop in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best Contest!

Please show us your Hometown LOVE by voting for us!

Voting begins on Tuesday, June 18th at 11 AM and runs through Sunday, July 14 at 11 PM. You can vote often and much… every hour, in fact… we know that’s a heck-of-a-lot of voting, but anything you can do to help is so appreciated!

To vote:

Visit the Click on Detroit website HERE
Choose the Sports & Recreation category
Select Hometown Bicycles

It’s that simple! Add it to your bookmarks to make it even easier.
Let’s rock this, Hometownies!

Helping our future generations be safe at Safety Town!

Hometown loves Safety Town!

Each summer, we spend several hours with 4-5 year old children at Hilton Elementary School in Brighton. We cannot say enough about this wonderful program!

Above: Shaun preps the tires for a participant

Safety Town is an early childhood safety education program designed to introduce all types of safety conditions to children preparing to enter Kindergarten. Kids role play in simulated and actual life situations under the guidance of the Safety Town staff, volunteers, and daily presenters from within the community.

Our Hometown crew teaches bicycle safety. The children use big wheel bikes and other bicycles to practice driving through the streets of a mock town; they also learn how to use crosswalks. It’s super fun for the kids AND for us!

Above: Les helping the kids out on the course

Thank you Safety Town for inviting us to again be part of your amazing community program!

Coast 2 Coast: The challenge with THE MOST!

Imagine yourself crossing the mighty Mitten on your bike, from coast to coast, and you may have a glimpse into what it was like to do the Coast 2 Coast Gravel Grinder on Saturday, June 22nd. We’re talking rugged adventure and heart-pumping challenges in the form of 100 or 210 miles!

Team Hometown members Erik Frazier, Brad Allen, Tom Hermann, Jay Mingis, Andy Showerman and Jacob Henriksen, as well as Brad Allen’s brother-in-law Tony Vega, took it on and SMASHED it!

From Team Co-Captain Mike Dyer:“To all you Homies who finished the Coast 2 Coast race (or even attempted it, for that matter), my hat goes off to you. That is a hell of an accomplishment. I personally can’t imagine being in the saddle for that long. You all make this captain very proud to call you teammates.”

YAY, NEIGHBORS!!
To thank you for shopping locally:

Intro to Mountain Biking: Wednesday, July 17th from 6-8 PM

Island Lake Rec Area, Spring Mill Pond

Calling all beginners! Looking for a new biking experience that goes beyond paved paths? Maybe you are new to Mountain Biking and want to fine-tune your skills?

Don’t have a bike? Inquire about Hometown’s Bike Rental program! We have a variety of bikes and sizes to meet your cycling needs.

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM and Saturdays 9:45 AM
$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more

Power 30 | Wednesdays 7 PM
$5 drop in – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays 6 PM and Thursdays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays 9:30 AM and Sundays 10:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

Sati Yoga/intenSati Combo | Sundays 9 AM – July 21
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, bicycle clinics, bicycle rentals, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike rentals, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Cardio Drumming, Coast to Coast Gravel Road Race, Conely Auto, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Fourth of July parade, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, Howell Rotary Club, intenSati, Island Lake Recreation Area, Leslie Barrett, Leslie Cook, livingston county, Livingston County United Way, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, Safety Town, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tour de Livingston, tour de livingston kick-off ride, Tresa O’Rourke, Vote 4 the best, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Hometown is up for Best Bike Shop! Get those voting fingers ready…

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Shaun

We Ate, We Rode & We Painted Settlers Park Orange!

Pictured: Team Hometown Bicycles member Jim Thompson and his son
It was picture perfect June sunshiny weather for Family Day at Settlers Park this past weekend. Over 50 people hit the trails!

Thank you to Team Hometown Bicycles Sponsor, Kevin Brennan with Michigan Financial Planning, for this fun collaboration! His team grilled up hot dogs and talked up financial health, while Hometown led guided rides and shared demo bike knowledge with visitors.

Team Hometown showed up in their kits and colored the park orange… we sure appreciate your presence and willingness to take newbies on rides! You always make us proud.

We even got to witness Shaun and Dawn on a tandem. For those who missed it, check out the video evidence below…

Hometown Bicycles is nominated: Vote 4 the BEST!

Hometown Bicycles has been nominated for the BEST bike shop in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best Contest!

Please show us your Hometown LOVE by voting for us!

To vote:

Visit the Click on Detroit website HERE
Choose the Sports & Recreation category
Select Hometown Bicycles

It’s that simple! Add it to your bookmarks to make it even easier.
Let’s rock this, Hometownies!

Summertime: Hometown Happenings in the Community!

Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby –

Hundreds of kids and families attended the fishing derby sponsored by the Brighton Optimist Club on Saturday, June 8th at the Mill Pond in downtown Brighton.

Team Hometown Bicycles member Robin Fry was there on our decorated red, white & blue bike to talk up how you and your kids can ride with us in the 4th of July Parade! Thanks, Robin!!

Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest & Parade – Thursday, July 4 at 8 AM

Decorate your bike at home, or bring your bike and decorations to Hometown between Saturday 6/29 and Wednesday 7/3. You can bring your bike with you on the 4th of July, or decorate it and leave it at our shop to be delivered for you to the contest site on the 4th! Judging starts at 9:15 AM with awards immediately following. And then it’s Parade time at 10 AM!

You’ll be riding in the Parade with Hometown’s own Shaun, Dawn, and kids! Bring YOUR kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews, and join them for a ride down Main Street!

Read all about it and SIGN UP HERE!

Team Hometown has been BUSY!
**Check out their recent adventures**

Mike Dyer (left), Scooter Gates (below), and Keith Cowgar (immediately below) had an epic Bikepacking adventure this past weekend… and we mean EPIC. They covered nearly 90 miles in three days in the High Country Pathway!

Mike says, “Would I bikepack again? Absolutely! Would I ride this trail again? Absolutely not!”

What is designed to be a hiking trail makes for a most challenging biking trail; it would even be tough for hiking. Our Team’s advice? If you decide to ride this trail, you MUST bring more water than you think (and a way to filter more), 100% Deet, a detailed map and a downloaded GPS file. Trust our experts on this one!

On Sunday, June 2nd, Gary Kulhanek and Kristi Mackenzie participated in the Tour de l’Île, a biking classic, where thousands of cyclists fill the streets of Montréal with their positive energy and infectious enthusiasm, creating an unforgettable urban festival.

Gary said it was a great time except for the rain!

Avid Hometownie and Hometown Crew member Les Cook’s brother, Dr. Mark Cook, is currently doing a ride across Wisconsin. Just a group of friends on a fun-filled journey! Check out their adventure below…

Top: Mark, second from left

Middle: Mark, in yellow

Bottom: Some local fauna in Wisconsin… yikes!

Congratulations to Erik Frazier (below left) and John Harrington (below center) for their first place podiums in this past weekend’s Island Lake Challenge! And kudos also go to Marilyn Reichenbach (below right) for her third place win… way to go!

Hometownies, do you have news about races, rides or other adventures to include for consideration in future Hometown e-newsletters? Send your stories and photos to events@myhometownbicycles. We love to show off our Team and customers!

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM and Saturdays 9:45 AM
$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more

Power 30 | Wednesdays 7 PM
$5 drop in – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays 6 PM & Thursdays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

intenSati | Sundays 10 AM – June 9 and 23
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more