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TOMORROW (7/1): Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee & Sale!

ALL ABOUT THE…
Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee and Sale logo

A FREE Family Fun Event

TOMORROW, July 1st from 9am – 5pm

Last week, we gave you a flavor of the stupendousness to come at Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee & Sale on Saturday, July 1st. And, as it turns out, this event just keeps getting better… !!!

Read all about the newest event excitement below, including new participantsover 50 chances to win in our new July Jubilee Door Prize Drawing, and sales-tax-free purchases!


EVENT DAY ACTIVITIES (ALL FREE!) INCLUDE:

9am  FAMILY CARDIO DRUMMING with PURE Fitness & Nutrition
One of the most popular fitness activities ever held at Hometown, Martha Soraruf’s high octane cardio drumming class will kick off our Jubilee with energetic beats and family-friendly aerobics!
9:30am  FAMILY SLOW ROLL BIKE RIDE with Team Hometown Bicycles
Read more about the Jubilee’s leisurely, morning social ride below.
10am-3pm  FACE PAINTING with Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Festive, 4th of July themed face art will be available, compliments of Sky Zone. Be sure to also visit their tent for a chance to spin the prize wheel, win cool swag, and even enjoy some hula-hooping!
10:30am  DANCE FITNESS CLASS with Ginny’s Danceworks
We’re thrilled to welcome Hometownie Ginny of Ginny’s Danceworks and her talented students for a family-geared class in fun-filled aerobic dancing! 
11am & 2:30pm  ACRO YOGA CLASSES with Yoga Nature
Jim and Sherryl of Yoga Nature will wow us with acro yoga demos – blending acrobatic feats with a yoga core – and will teach you a few maneuvers of this jaw-dropping art form in their Jubilee classes!
11:30am & 2pm  KARATE DEMOS with PKSA Karate of Brighton
Dennis and Barb of PKSA Karate are bringing along their most talented students to showcase the incredible skill of karate – including board breaking and weapon forms! Now, that’s just plain cool!!
Noon  FAMILY LAWN GAME TOURNAMENT with Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp
Get your game on!! Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp is launching a tournament of family vs. family and one-on-one games, including Tug of War, Dress-Up Race, Sack Race, and Three-Legged Race. Challenge your friends! Challenge your family! Challenge your coworkers! “Who will reign supreme?!”
  
Noon-2pm  KID’S BIKE DECORATING with Brighton Optimist Club
Read more about Bike Decorating at the July Jubilee below.
1:30pm  WATER BALLOON GAMES with Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply
Hot on the heels of lawn games comes a chance to cool off, with Water Balloon Games hosted by Beauchamp. Combines the best of stationary objects and moving targets (friends and family!)
3pm  HONOR GUARD & NATIONAL ANTHEM with American Spirit Centre
We are truly honored to welcome an Honor Guard from our across-the-street neighbors, American Spirit Centre, for the official first flag raising on Hometown’s new flagpole. Blast-from-the-past-Hometown-super-cashier, Maddie Peltier, will round out the ceremony with a rousing rendition of our National Anthem!
After the Honor Guard   PRIZE DRAWINGS & SPARKLERS for the kids!
Following the flag raising, we’ll pull the winners of the July Jubilee Door Prize Drawing. Read below to find out what you could take home with you – there’s over 50 chances to win! We’ll wrap up the evening with a little nostalgia – sparklers for the kiddies!

MMM-M-M BARBECUE & SWEET TREATS SUPPLIED BY (for purchase):

Hog Wild BBQ and Catering Oh My Lolli!

THE “SALE” PART OF JULY JUBILEE & SALE:

Sale stickerYes! Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee & Sale will also keep money in your pocket!!YOU GET 10% OFF ANY 1 ITEM

AND…

WE’LL ALSO PAY YOUR SALES TAX on your entire purchase!


A NOTE ABOUT EVENT PARKING:

Parking sign
Our parking lot always fills up lightning fast, but never fear!There’s overflow parking across the street in American Spirit Centre‘s back lot (thank you, neighbors!). Please be sure not to park in the front lot, which is reserved for member Veterans!

Group ride at a Hometown Bicycles event
JULY JUBILEE FAMILY SLOW ROLL BIKE RIDE

Just in time for the holiday weekend, let’s dial it back and relax into this social, slow paced road ride. We roll at 9:30 a.m. from the July Jubilee. Think 8 – 10 mph. Bring your cruiser or whatever bike you like as we Slow Roll down sidewalks and streets! This is a NO DROP ride. Check Facebook for ride updates.

**One-ish Mile Family Slow Roll Special** Just for the Jubilee, and with your kidlets in mind, we’re offering a special route that keeps us on the north side of Grand River – traveling down the sidewalk, through business park roads and back – about a flat mile. We’ll pass by the shop for those that are done or would like to repeat the route again on their own. (Adults must accompany kids, please! Helmet and waiver required.)

**The Ride Continues…** Crossing Grand River, we’ll tackle a few climbs/descents and enjoy beautiful park scenery. Turnaround at ILRA’s Spring Mill Pond. Plan for about 8.5 miles and 1.5 hours with stops.


Patriotic red, white, and blue decorated bike for Brighton Optimist Club 4th of July Parade Bike Decorating Contest
JULY JUBILEE BIKE DECORATING & PARADE

Every 4th of July, the Brighton Optimist Club runs a contest that’s hearty, wholesome, and all-American – a bicycle decorating contest for kids of all ages, followed by participation in Brighton’s beloved 4th of July parade. No charge for any of it!

This year, we want to help the Optimists make this one of the biggest and red-white-and-blue-iest turnouts ever! For that reason, from Noon – 2pm, our Community Room will be stocked with patriotic craftery (bottom right) that we’re donating to the cause. Parents, bring your kids!! Kids, bring your bikes and any extra decorations, and DECORATE WITH US!

Your decked out bike will be put on display at our 3pm July Jubilee Flag Raising Ceremony!

Parents, you’ll like this… we’re offering complimentary trailering services for any interested families – leave your decorated bikes with us, Red, white, and blue patriotic decorations for bike decorating at Hometown Bicyclesand we’ll transport them all to the beginning of the Parade route on July 4th to save you from the logistical nightmare of drop-off. At the end of the route, we’ll pick ’em up, and trailer them back to the shop for convenient pick-up over the next couple days.

Brighton Optimist Club website, or call for details: (810) 225-2441. No sign up required. Just come decorate!


MEET THE FOLLOWING AWESOME LOCAL BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS AT THE JUBILEE:

These wonderful folks are setting up tables, games, prizes, and more at our event. Learn about and support these locals whose values – exceptional customer service and community involvement – align so beautifully with Hometown’s!

Oh My Lolli! Logo
The Eric Hartwell Foundation logo
Yoga Nature logo
PKSA Karate of Brighton

Kearns Brothers logo

Ginny's Danceworks logo
American Spirit Centre of Brighton logo

Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply logo

Sky Zone Trampoline Park logo

Tour de Livingston 2017 logo

Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp logo

Brighton Optimist Club logo

SELCRA logo

PURE Fitness and Nutrition


Hometown Bicycles newly stocked gifts and novelties department
“I
 BICYCLES!”: PROCLAIM IT TO THE WORLD!!

Just in time for July Jubilee, we’ve packed our bicycle gifts and novelties area to the gills with a groovy selection of clothing, kitchenware, home decor, and knick-knacks for the cycling enthusiast. (A million thanks to Sarah Colburn of Scott Colburn Boots & Western Wear for generously creating order and beauty out of all this “fun-ness”!)

We know you’ll find something you love – come find what speaks to YOU!


A NOTE ABOUT EVENT DAY WEATHER:

Michigan Average Annual Precipitation mapIt’s Michigan – we know better than to take good weather for granted! Right now, the forecasts call for clear skies, but know that the party can rock just as well indoors as out.

If it comes down to it, don’t let a little inclement weather slow you down! This party’s ON, rain or shine!!


And the winner is...
JULY JUBILEE DOORPRIZES YOU CAN WIN!

There’s been an ENORMOUS amount of good will and good vibes from all the awesome participants in our July Jubilee, including generous donations of goods and gift certificates for you to win! So much, in fact, that YOU HAVE OVER 50 CHANCES TO WINSOMETHING COOL!!

The drawing will take place following the Honor Guard and flag ceremony (around 3:30pm). You do not need to be present to win, and you can enter at any point during our event! Check out what you can win below:

FROM HERE:
Hometown Bicycles
4 x $25 Store Gift Certificates

FROM OUR TEAM SPONSORS:
Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
2 x $100 Gift Certificates toward a Bike Fitting
1 x $50 Gift Certificates toward a Bike Fitting

Kearns Brothers
2 x $50.00 Gift Certificates to Hometown Bicycles (Thanks, Mike!)

Body Within Personal Training
Fitness Package, including a T-Shirt, Water Bottle, Stretching Strap, Consultation, and Fitness Test!

Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply
5 x Bags of Water Softener Salt

Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp
3 x One-Month Family Memberships

FROM OUR BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION FRIENDS:
Coeur Sports
5 x  $10 Gift Cards to Coeur Sports online store
2 x  $25 Gift Cards to Coeur Sports online store

Cool Hedge Creations by Melissa
Hand Crafted & Stamped Cyclist Bracelets

The Eric Hartwell Foundation
1 x Free entry into the 2018 Snowman 5K/10K

Ginny’s Danceworks
1 x $50.00 Gift Card towards Dance Classes or Camp

Oh My Lolli!
$5.00 Oh My Lolli! Gift Tokens

PKSA Karate of Brighton
6 x Gift Certificates for 2 free weeks of class

PURE Fitness & Nutrition with Martha Soraruf
1 x Arbonne Care Package
1 x Cardio Drumming Gift Card

SELCRA
Gift Passes / Vouchers

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
1 x Family Fun Pack

Yoga Nature
1 x Free Private Acro Yoga Lesson
1 x Free Private Paddle Board Lesson (equipment included or bring your own!)


HELP SPREAD THE EXCITEMENT!

Share bullhornWe’ve always said that the the greatest compliment you can give us is referrals. If you were ever going to introduce someone to “The Hometown Bicycles Experience”, here’s a time to blow their socks off and make yourself look like a rockstar of the referral world!

Please forward this email, direct people to our website, share our Facebook July Jubilee event page, or pass along our event flier. Help us add value to the MANY wonderful, community-minded businesses and organizations that are so generously volunteering time, energy, and prizes to make this event amazing for YOU!

Know that we appreciate it, Hometownies, and we always appreciate YOU! Thank you!!


HOMETOWN’S 4TH OF JULY HOURS

 

JULY 4:  Open 7am – 3pm

Regular hours before and after the 4th!


Mountain Bike Trail sign post at Hometown Bicycles

It takes real planning to organize this kind of chaos.

– Mel Odom

Hometown’s July Jubilee and Tour Kick-Off

Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee and Sale logo

A FREE Family Fun Event

Saturday, July 1st from 9am – 5pm

Since dropping early hints about this summer celebration in past newsletters, the Hometown Bicycles 1st Annual July Jubilee & Sale on Saturday, July 1st has taken on a life of its own. It’s an event that’s become legendary in scope. Forget “pencilling it in”… just COME. You won’t want to miss one single, glorious moment of July Jubilee fun!!EVENT DAY ACTIVITIES (ALL FREE!) INCLUDE:

MMM-M-M BARBECUE & SWEET TREATS SUPPLIED BY (for purchase):

Hog Wild BBQ and Catering Oh My Lolli!

YOU’LL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET (and, in many cases, play games and win prizes with) THESE AWESOME LOCAL BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS:

Pro-Motion Physical Therapy logo

The Eric Hartwell Foundation logo
Yoga Nature logo

PKSA Karate of Brighton
Kearns Brothers logoGinny's Danceworks logo
American Spirit Centre of Brighton logo
Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply logo

Sky Zone Trampoline Park logo

Tour de Livingston 2017 logo

Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp logo

Brighton Optimist Club logo

SELCRA logo
PURE Fitness and Nutrition

OH, AND DID I MENTION THE GIVEAWAYS, GREAT DEALS, NEW INDOOR PLAYSCAPE FOR KIDS, AND NEWLY EXPANDED BICYCLE GIFTS & NOVELTIES DEPARTMENT??
PRINT THE EVENT FLIER… share it with your friends and family! Let them know you have an adventure planned for them at Hometown Bicycles on July 1st! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!


Tour de Livingston Kick Off Ride flier
THIS SUNDAY: TOUR DE LIVINGSTON KICK-OFF RIDE

Add it to your calendar, Hometownies! It’s an annual tradition for Hometown to lead off this pre-Tour teaser of one of our favorite events ever – the Tour de Livingston. Hometown Bicycles is offering ride support, SAG support, and bike valet. Ride with us!!

So that all of our Hometown crew can enjoy this event…
WE WILL OPEN LATE THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 25TH
12pm – 5pm (6/25)


Team Hometown Bicycles' Joe Van Gordon, Deb Godmer, and Rex Blair with John Clark at Michigan Mountain Bike Mayhem 2017
(From left: Joe Van Gordon’s looking pretty in pink, alongside John Clark, Deb Godmer and Rex Blair. Photo pirated from Deb’s Facebook – I knew you wouldn’t mind, Deb!!)

HILL CRUSHERS! TEAM HOMETOWN CLIMBS MOUNTAINS 

Or, at least, that’s what it feels like in Michigan’s grueling, short-course-steep-climb Mountain Mayhem race series. According to the event website, this series “will test your mental sanity”, but you’d never know it by the laid back grins on our Team’s faces!

Kudos to Joe Van Gordon, Deb Godmer, Rex Blair, and Caddy Johnson for conquering this spirit-breaker of an event!


Team Hometown Bicycles' Scott Simpson at the Lumberjack 100
(Left to right: Pre-race, bringin’ it home, and hangin’ with the kiddies after. Photos courtesy Scott Simpson)

100 MOUNTAIN BIKE MILES WITH TEAM HOMETOWN

Eight and a quarter hours. That is the length of time Scott Simpson rode last Saturday in the epic Lumberjack 100. Think about that… that’s a FULL 9-TO-5 WORK DAY, riding a saddle instead of a desk chair. WOW. Congrats, Scott, on a mighty mountain biking accomplishment!


Hometown Bicycle's Amy Gluck talks about Metabolic Efficiency Training

TODAY: HOW TO BURN MORE FAT + GUEST SPEAKER

Tapping on her Degree in Nutrition and Bob Seebohar’s revolutionary Metabolic Efficiency research, Hometown’s Amy Gluck talks about how to train your body to burn fat for fuel, instead of using quick-access carbs. She’s joined this week by Brian Grzyb of Lifetime Fitness in Commerce, who is a resident expert on Metabolic Efficiency Testing!

In her talk about Metabolic Efficiency Training, you’ll learn what it is, how to do it, and the enormous benefits to be gained… like no more GI distress at competitions, never hitting “the wall” again, and turning yourself into a lean and efficient, fat-burning machine! NO CHARGE!

REGISTER NOW FOR “TEACHING YOUR BODY TO BURN MORE FAT”

Thursday, June 22 from 6-7pm in the Community Room


AMY’S BLOG: June 23, 2017

The inspiration continues… ! Hometown’s tri clinician, Amy Gluck, is tapping on her years of top-level IRONMAN training and competition, and the life-altering accident that put her passion to the test, to share something soul-stirring in the form of blogging about her recovery, her training triumphs and challenges, and her personal mission to get back to IRONMAN. From her 6/23/17 installment:

Hometown Bicycles' Amy Gluck races IRONMAN

“This year, the T-Rex Series are my “A” races (basically, the peak races for my tri season).  I’ve never had a Sprint Tri as my “A” race, since I started Ironman racing.  In my mind, Sprints are too hard because they demand 100% speed all of the time, even through transition.  Ironman made me too lazy to put 100% speed on all of the time.  Ironman is more about proper pacing and avoiding 100% effort to save yourself for the end of the race…”  READ ON

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


NEXT WEEK: SUMMER EMERGENCY REPAIR CLINICS

Shaun Bhajan teaching Emergency Bike Repair at Hometown BicyclesOur “Emergency Bike Repair” Clinic and “Flat Tire Fix” Clinic are primed for your immediate benefit, addressing quick, on-the-go fixes and how to handle the dreaded flat:
•  Tuesday 6/27 (Flat Tire Fix)
•  Thursday 6/29 (Emergency Repair).

NO CHARGE for these HANDS-ON CLINICS.


Hometown Bicycles partnered up with Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park of Brighton for their big Annual Summer Bash.

PARKED BESIDE PUPPIES AT SKY ZONE’S SUMMER BASH

Last Saturday found us “ooo”-ing over the Livingston County Humane Society‘s furry recipients of the Sky Zone Summer Bash fundraiser.  There may also have been some jumping involved… and said jumper just may have had a fantastic nap as a result!

Overall, our helmets are off to Sky Zone for a truly terrific event. We appreciate you making us a part of it! Look for Sky Zone at our 1st Annual July Jubilee!!


Friday Morning Yoga at Hometown Bicycles, with Tocca Massage and Yoga

TOMORROW (6/23):

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 started 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. Email ashley@toccamassage.com with questions.


KIDS 4TH OF JULY BIKE DECORATING CONTEST

Brighton Optimist Club partnering with Hometown Bicycles on the Fourth of July Kids Bike Decorating ContestMore than just an upbeat group of community-minded people, the Brighton Optimist Club is 100% about “bringing out the best in children.”

We are absolutely geeked to be partnering with these big-hearted folks with an event that combines kids, bicycles, patriotism, and a community parade! Check out the flier at left and click HERE for further details.


Hometown Bicycles Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Shop Ride

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL A.M. ROAD RIDE  (6/22)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
This friendly road ride takes the back entrance to Island Lake and explores 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 (a support rider will be the last person back). Check back for ride confirmation/changes due to weather.

SUNDAY GRAVEL GRINDER RESUMES JULY 9TH 
Please join us in Howell this Sunday, June 25th for the Tour de Livingston Kick Off. 
Watch the balloons lift off, then continue on along your Kick-Off route.  Enjoy the Farmer’s Market after you ride!

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (6/25)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
As a tribute to Father’s Day, the Beginner Friendly Mountain Bike Ride leaders would like to encourage riders to bring their dad out for a 1.5 hr trail ride on Sunday. We’ll ride from Hometown Bicycles to the back of Island Lake and explore 9 – 15 miles of the Island Lake Mountain Bike trails, splitting into a couple of groups. All levels of riders are welcome at this 1.5 hr pace. This is a NO DROP RIDE – which means we will have a ride support person at the end of the last group. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged.

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (6/26)
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 travel towards the back of Island Lake, then head through the park roads to the well-known “Green Dumpster” and back – approx 12 – 15 miles. Those ready for more will group up to do more mileage to satisfy their cycling need!  Expect a 12 – 17+ mph pace to accommodate riders’ skill levels.  All level riders are welcome – we’ll split into groups according to experience and speed, with a sweep to bring up the rear.

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  (6/27)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This ride from Hometown Bicycles covers 13+ miles of pavement, dirt trails and gravel roads between 12 – 13 mpg average. We’ll ride the back of Island Lake, enjoy some gravel (a few hills just for fun!), pop onto some paved roads, and grab a dirt trail back into ILRA. Expect a few “puddles” of sand. Nothing our gravel, adventure/mountain/fat bikes can’t easily handle! Standard road bikes (skinny tires) are not appropriate for this ride. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE (a support person will be the last rider).

WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST / SON OF HAMMERFEST (6/28)
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 the roads of Island Lake. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph!

SON OF HAMMERFEST (for those that would like to build up to the original Hammerfest):
Also 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.

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


Fitness classes at Hometown Bicycles - Yoga with Tocca Massage, Zumba with Leslie Barrett, and Cardio Drumming with Martha Soraruf(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 BicyclesCARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:45PM
$5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more

Vinyasa Yoga class at Hometown Bicycles in Brighton with Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage and YogaDYNAMIC YOGA | Fridays at 9:00AM (starting June 16)
$10 drop in – With Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more

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


Mountain Biking at Island Lake in Brighton, MI

I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.

– David Bowie

Holiday Hours and Bicycling’s Big Kame

A Salute to Memorial Day

History Channel YouTube video clip on The History of Memorial DayWE TIP OUR HELMETS IN GRATITUDE TO AMERICA’S FALLEN SOLDIERS  
On a long weekend devoted to barbecue, beach time, and summer fun, it’s easy to lose sight of this national holiday’s significance. Memorial Day is as relevant now as it was in the Civil War era and, for the curious among you, this cool, little video clip explains why!

Hometown Bicycles will be closed early on Memorial Day:
SAT & SUN  —  9AM – 5PM (regular hours)MEMORIAL DAY (5/29)  —  7AM – 3PM


Team Hometown Bicycles at Arcadia Grit and Gravel Mountain Bike Race
(Team Hometown Bicycles photo at left, courtesy Mary Zaremba. Woods pics, clockwise from top left – Mike Dyer, John Wyatt, Olga Negrut, Jack Riddle – courtesy Rob Meendering Photography.)

HAVING A GRAND TIME IN GRAND TRAVERSE – ARCADIA

Last weekend found our well-traveled Team hitting the Grand Traverse Area Arcadia Dunes Trail System in the Arcadia Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race, which boasted “a peloton start and miles and miles of gravel”, according to Team racer Mike Dyer. “The weather turned out to be beautiful blue skies and mild, although a heavy east wind made for some tough head winds.” Our congrats to the Team for making it fun regardless!


Team Hometown Bicycles volunteer on the DTE Energy Foundation Trail Big Kame Loop
(Photos courtesy Scott Simpson)

TEAM NEWS: WE KAME, WE SAW, WE VOLUNTEERED

The much-anticipated, NEW DTE Big Kame Trail Loop is slated to open June 10th… with, of course, the dedicated efforts of scores of volunteers, spearheaded by the PotoMBA. We’re so proud that our Team members can be counted among them.

Scott Simpson, Brandon Bailey, and Greg Cook (pictured above), your hard work is appreciated, and will be especially appreciated when the rubber meets the dirt at next month’s grand trail opening! Join in the adventure!


Hometown Bicycles clinician Amy Gluck at IRONMAN

“HOW TO TRAIN FOR A TRIATHLON” CLINIC – JUNE 6 & 8

Should I work with a coach? How do I get the most out of bricks? How do I train physically and mentally for a sport that involves swim, bike, AND run? What are “junk miles”, and how do I avoid them?  What should my taper look like?

If a triathlon is in your future, these pondering points are just the tip of the triathlon iceberg in terms of prepping for your next (or first!) race. Expert triathlete, IRONMAN Coach, 5-time Kona Qualifier, Registered Dietician, and Hometownie, Amy Gluck, will be covering everything from picking a triathlon to post-tri training analysis in Hometown’s “How to Train for a Triathlon” Clinic.

Held right here in our Community Room, there is NO CHARGE to attend. Choose from two dates: Tuesday (6/6) or Thursday (6/8) at 6pm!
REGISTER NOW FOR “HOW TO TRAIN FOR A TRIATHLON”


HOMETOWN HOSTS BULLDOGS ON BICYCLES

Brighton BulldogsWe’re not talking 4-legged and furry here… we’re talking about the fiercely fast cyclists of Brighton High School’s super-skilled cycling team (of which Hometown Service Tech Joe is one – read about him below!)

On May 30th, we have the pleasure of providing our local Bulldogs with Bike Maintenance instruction prior to their standard on-the-bike training. Under Coach TJ Tyrrell, this group of mountain biking guys and gals are growing into responsible and well-rounded cyclists. Awesome.

If you bleed black and orange, come high five your hometown team as they prep for the 2017 race season!


Hometown Bicycles Service Tech and Brighton Bulldog Cycling Team Rider Joe Shafer
(Image at left courtesy Joe Shafer)

MEET THE CREW: JOE SHAFER

Service Tech Joe’s Hometown history began with visits to the shop with his dad. Later, his “man on a mission” approach to working at the local grocery caught Shaun’s eye, and we offered him a position here. Today, Joe still comes in and wrenches with purpose – this Tech’s got drive, and we’re thrilled to have him on our Crew. Joe says:

I have been mountain biking since I was in 8th grade. My dad biked a lot so I started to go with him. Now I am a sophomore at Brighton High School and I am on their mountain biking team. This is my second year on the team. Along with biking, I also snowboard in the winter. I really enjoy working at Hometown because I love the environment and the people I work with. Also, working there allows me to understand the sport better and all the mechanics involved.


MCMBA KEEPS ‘EM COMING – MILFORD BIKE FEST

Milford Bike Festival flierHot 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!


Hometown Bicycles' famous Hammerfest and Son of Hammerfest shop ride

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY 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.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (5/26)
8:45PM (meet at 8:30) from Maltby Intermediate School (4740 Bauer Rd. in Brighton) 
It’s time to explore! We’ll ride to the Brighton Recreation trails, accessing them from the gravel roads. This will be an INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED pace. Make sure your lights are charged for this ride in the dark! We will re-group throughout the trail. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged to join this ride. Check back for ride confirmation/changes.

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (5/28)
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.

TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE  (5/30)
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 (5/31)
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  (6/1)
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!


Fitness classes at Hometown Bicycles - Yoga with Tocca Massage, Zumba with Leslie Barrett, and Cardio Drumming with Martha Soraruf(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 BicyclesCARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:45PM
$5 class fee / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more

Vinyasa Yoga class at Hometown Bicycles in Brighton with Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage and YogaDYNAMIC YOGA | Fridays at 9:00AM (starting June 16)
$10 drop in – With Ashley Knuth of Tocca Massage & Yoga
Click to learn more

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


Mountain biking at Island Lake Recreation Area

Not all classrooms
have four walls.

– Anonymous

The Great Wind Storm of ’17

Shaun Bhajan at Hometown Bicycles during The Great Wind Storm of '17 power outage

WHAT A WEEK!  Like most of you, Hometown went “rustic” last week, courtesy of The Great Wind Storm of ’17. To all of our DTE Hometownies and your fellow crew, thanks for putting in all the long hours and hard labor to get us back up and running!Shout out to a few Hometownies who really stepped up when our shop powered down:

  • Brian Forhan, you are a prince. Your generator gave us enough oomph to keep our shop fish alive and the furnace running.
  • Joe Van Gordon, we appreciate you hanging out to ensure that the post-gale roof repair was done right, addressing some of the in-store hiccups, and for even thinking to bring food!
  • Jeff Ballen, if it weren’t for your quick eye, we may have missed the mid-outage delivery that contained a shipment of our customers’ bikes. Thanks for the call!
We hope everyone came out of this adventure with a cool story to tell. Now… back to another kind of rustic – you, your bike, and Ma Nature. Happy trails!

Team Hometown Bicycles helps out at Island Lake Traildays, clearing the trails following The Great Wind Storm of '17
(Our dedicated Team peeps. We’d like to point out, once again, how awesome our Team Sponsors are – Sean Lowry of Lowry Solutions and Deb Godmer of Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp are two of the faces you see here!)

TEAM HOMETOWN TACKLED TRAILDAY

Team Hometown Bicycles helping out at Island Lake Trailday clean upIt will shock absolutely no one that our community bike trails took a beating from last week’s wind storm. But here’s what makes us smile – Team Hometown really stepped up to the plate with 16 of our members and their family and friends, rocking the rakes and saws to clear debris from Island Lake’s miles of much-loved single track. We’re proud of you!

The local Mountain Bike Chapters (MCMBA and PotoMBA) will be having more Traildays this Spring – plan to come out with us! Plus, a few trees bit the dust on Hometown’s shop trail – stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to help us clear it up.


SPRING SNOWMAN 5K – CROSS-TRAINING THAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL11th Annual Spring Snowman 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run

We’re just a couple months away from an event that we’ve been thrilled to support since our earliest days – the Spring Snowman 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Eric Hartwell Foundation.

This remarkable organization was 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??


HERE’S AN EVENT TO WET YOUR WHISTLE…

Poses, Pedals, and Pints logoYou all know Ashley from Tocca Massage & Yoga, who held the massively popular yoga series at our shop (and will be running another – stay tuned!) Well, Ashley’s instigated an event that we know you’ll enjoy – Poses, Pedals & Pints on Saturday, May 13th.

It’s a triathlon of a different color – this one combines 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.

Registration is limited to 50, so sign up NOW, to ensure your participation in this first annual event!


Hometown Bicycles Service Tech Chris Mayer
(Images at left courtesy Chris Mayer)

MEET YOUR CREW: CHRIS MAYER

Service tech Chris is one active dude in the competitive sports arena, so you may not have seen much of him yet at Hometown, but he’s already shown his Hometown worthiness by jumping in head first to catch us up on storm-delayed repairs. You’ll be seeing a lot more of this helpful Hometownie during summer break:

I just started working with the Hometown crew, and I love it so far! I currently go to Hartland High School and am a Senior. I’m not sure on future plans yet, but love sports. I am a Varsity cross country runner, swimmer, and track athlete. In the summer I compete in triathlons all over Michigan. This past summer, I even did a half marathon. When I’m not playing or training for sports, I love to play paintball and go backpacking with my friends. I have been road biking for years, but just recently got hooked on mountain biking.


Hometown Bicycles Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride heading to Island Lake Badlands

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – NONE THIS WEEK

GOOD LUCK, WATERLOO G&G GRAVEL ROAD RACERS!
With many of our Team headed off to the Waterloo G&G Gravel Road Race this weekend, we’ll be postponing our uber-popular winter shop ride.

Hey, now! Put those hankies away! It’s coming back!! As always, follow us on Facebook for future ride confirmations and updates.

And the fat bike weather just keeps on coming! Want to try a fat bike? We rent! Call our shop:  (810) 225-2441


Fitness classes at Hometown Bicycles - Yoga with Tocca Massage, Zumba with Leslie Barrett, and Cardio Drumming with Martha Soraruf(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


Hometownie Tim Bart in full Hometown Bicycles kit cycling at Kensington Metropark

Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling.

– James E. Starrs