click on detroit | 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!

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!

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 »

Ride with Hometown in the 4th of July Parade!

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Shaun

Downtown Brighton, Thursday 7/4 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!

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

Congratulations, new BICP Level 1 Coaches!

WE LOVE PARTNERSHIPS!
Thank you to MiSCA for bringing the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) Level 1 certification course to Michigan and for allowing us to be part of it! We were happy to donate the use of our Community Room and shop to keep everyone dry during the torrential rainfall that pelted the Brighton area during your three-day training.

This hands-on training prepares students for leading rides and mountain bike guiding in a group situation. Completion of the course, in addition to passing a practical exam, qualifies an individual to assess the level of each rider in their group, assess and diagnose common errors within each rider’s fundamental skills, prepare and implement action plans in an emergency situation, and make responsible choices in picking trail routes for specific groups.

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 14 and 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, best bike shop, BICP Level 1 Coaches, bicycle clinics, bicycle rentals, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike helmets, Bike Instructor Certification Program, bike rentals, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Cardio Drumming, click on detroit, Conely Auto, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Fourth of July parade, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, Intro to Mountain Biking, Island Lake Recreation Area, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, misca, Shaun and Dawn Bhajan, shop rides, Spring Mill Pond, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tresa O’Rourke, Vote4theBest, 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

Sati Yoga | Sundays 9 AM – June 9 and 23
$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, bikepacking, bikes, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Cardio Drumming, click on detroit, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Erik Frazier, Family Day at Settlers Park, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Gary and Kristi Kulhanek, group rides, High Country Pathway, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, John Harrington, Keith Cowgar, Kevin Brennan, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Marilyn Reichenbach, Mark Cook, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, Michigan Financial Planning, mike dyer, Robin Fry, Scooter Gates, Settlers Park, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tresa O’Rourke, Vote 4 the best, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Dad’s Day, HUB Fest, and a Vote (or 2) for Hometown

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Shaun

Don’t worry! We’ll be open our regular hours for all of you exceptional dads… and the families who love you and want to treat you to a special day (and maybe a bicycle!) Happy Father’s Day, Hometownies!

TEAM NEWS: HUBFEST!

Two of ours, Margaret Bingham and Ellen Geddie, took Hometown to Hadrian for the LMB’s 2nd Annual HUB Fest, a day of bike education and advocacy, plus a wealth of good riding. This brightly clad duo helped man a SAG station, and said this about the event:

The intermittent rain seemed to be over for the after party with brews and bands. We heard several comments and compliments on our Hometown jerseys and recognition, too. This ride has lots of options and looks fun to do! It was great fun and we would certainly do it again.

Thanks for the good work for a good cause, ladies. Looks like this is an event to keep on the radar!

TOOK A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING AT TAKE-A-KID-MTB DAY!

Last weekend, Hometown headed to Brighton Rec for a kid-filled, kid-geared day of fun at PotoMBA’s annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day event.

Liam borrowed Arthur’s Strider (thanks, little friend!) for a spin around the warm up course (at left). Hometown Crewman Kollen was on hand to offer SAG support and safety checks. Even with the misty-damp weather, turnout was solid, and fun was had by all.

Special thanks to PotoMBA for this opportunity to support youth cycling, and to the inimitable Jacob Henrikson for stepping up last minute to help in his usual “no-worries!” way.

LET THE VOTING… BEGIN!!

It’s the time of year when our Community gets to give the gold to their favorite local businesses via two popular contests: Livingston Daily People’s Choice and ClickOnDetroit’s Vote4theBest. Thanks for the nominations, Hometownies! Now you can click each link below to cast your official vote!

** PSSSST!! A quick hint… Livingston Daily’s survey is very long. If you want to locate the Best Bike Shop section, it’s question number 53!

** BONUS HINT: In Vote4theBest, you’ll find the Best Bike Shop Category under Sports & Recreation, or to go directly to Hometown’s voting page, CLICK HERE!

SAVE THE DATE: HOMETOWN JULY JUBILEE (7/15)

Leapfrogging off the fun that was had at last year’s July Jubilee, we’re celebrating this year’s Sunday, July 15th event with a day of cycling, sales, family activities, food, sweets, games, prizes, special guests, and then kicking it up a notch with a special evening concert starring Hometown’s CycloDan Tribble and his Progressive Blues & Rhythm Band. Add it to your calendar, and stay tuned for details!

RIDE WITH SHAUN IN BRIGHTON’S JULY 4 PARADE!

This year, the whole family – Shaun and I and the kids – will be riding in Brighton’s 4th of July Parade, and we’re calling on all families with kids ages kindergarten through 5th grade to join us! There’s no charge!!

Brighton Optimist Club is the annual host of this well-loved Bike Decorating Contest & Parade Ride, and Hometown has enjoyed the privilege of helping their program grow year by year. In addition to hosting bike decorating parties at our shop and offering complimentary bike checks and helmet discounts to participants, we’re also providing free bicycle delivery and pick-up service to and from the parade! Details of this event can be found here, but here’s our mission…

Hometownies, let’s BLANKET this parade in bicycles!! Sign up now to be a part of making this the biggest bike entry in the history of the parade!

PASSING A PASSING LAW: THE LATEST NEWS

In previous newsletters, we’ve kept you up to speed on the progress of the Safe Passing & Drivers Ed Bills designed to help keep cyclists safe on the roads.

In LMB’s latest newsletter edition, they celebrate the passing of these bills out of the House and Senate, and into the hands of our Governor. The finish line is in sight!