cyclists | Hometown Bicycles

BUSINESS AS NORMAL(ish) COVID-19 Update

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Shaun

Back in the Saddle Again…

We’ve always been a service shop first. Well, guess what… it’s game on!!

With Governor Whitmer’s recent update to the “shelter-in-place” order – and most specifically Order #10, Item (b) – bicycle repair has been deemed an “essential service.” We always knew it was!

Still having to follow the social distancing and CDC guidelines, we’re going to do a soft reopening, experimenting with a few new procedures, so please bear with us as we figure this out.

We’ve been here for you in the past. We’re here for you now.

SHOP HOURS
MON & THU-SUN 10am-5pm
Closed TUE & WED

SERVICE SHOP
Our service shop is fully operational beginning THIS MONDAY, April 27. We can handle all of your service needs, including tune-ups and repairs. BUSINESS AS NORMAL.

RETAIL SHOP
Our retail shop is accessible via phone ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery. Our mission is to keep you safe.

We’d like to thank the League of Michigan Bicyclists for their efforts and their advocacy on behalf of all bicycle shops and cyclists. Special thanks also goes to Jeff Buerman, our QBP rep, for keeping everyone in the loop; he definitely went above and beyond.

A little celebration: This was the song that popped into Shaun’s head when he heard the update…

Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle Again YouTube video

Emergency Bike Repair UPDATE

In the past 3 weeks of offering free emergency bicycle repair, we worked on 105 bicycles that would otherwise have been unrideable. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to keep you rolling!

GoFundMe: We Still Need YOU

We’re not in the clear yet! Although the April 24th Executive Order update gives us an opportunity to generate income going forward, resources continue to be limited.

With this change, we are thankful to be able to lower our ask. But because of the ongoing uncertainty, we are still looking for your support:

Hometown Bicycles GoFundMe button - Customer, Company, Community, Industry

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.

With continuing love and gratitude,

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew

Hometown-to-You Ordering is Still LIVE!

We are SO excited to announce that, in partnership with awesome super-vendor QBP, you can now order bicycle parts and accessories from Hometown that will get shipped to your house in as quick as 2 days.

It’s really simple:

STEP 1: Call the shop between 10am-5pm on Monday, or Thursday through Sunday – (810) 225-2441.

STEP 2: Dial 2 to connect with Andy, our sales lead. He’ll be able to answer questions and take your order.

STEP 3: Let him know what you want, and it will be shipped directly to you.

Easy peasy!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle Again, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, COVID-19 Update, cycling, cyclists, emergency bicycle repair, emergency bike repair, gofundme, Governor Whitmer, Hometown Bicycles, Jeff Buerman, League of Michigan Bicyclists, livingston county, Michigan, QBP, shop hours | Leave a comment »

COVID-19 SHUTDOWN: Hometown Breaking News

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Shaun

Dear Hometown Family,

You know our stance on the essential nature of bicycle service during this challenging time. Many of you saw us leading the charge on a recent Hometown interview with Channel 7 news, where Shaun was quoted as saying:

Screenshot of Channel 7 news - Quote from Shaun Bhajan of Hometown Bicycles on COVID-19 essential bike repairs

Above: Screenshot from Channel 7 news story – CLICK HERE to watch

In an Executive Order that encourages citizens “To engage in outdoor activity, including walking, hiking, running, cycling…,” the status of bicycle repair as an essential business was left unclear. We believe – along with the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB), industry partners, and other State governments – that bicycle repair is necessary.

We are so proud of our Crew that, wherever able, individually elected to help man the shop, and support our community’s bicycle recreation and transportation needs.

But we have just now received word on the latest round of Michigan’s “essential business” clarifications, and Bicycle Repair DID NOT make the list.

From our wonderful contacts at LMB:

“… while we have asked for a change in state policy to designate bicycle repair as a critical infrastructure service, that is NOT the current policy. Bicycle repair is NOT currently listed as an “essential service”… Violating the Order may be extremely detrimental to the future of your business. It may also put our efforts in jeopardy.”

With the looming threat of fines and revoked business licenses, regretfully,

WE MUST IMMEDIATELY CLOSE OUR DOORS.

For all of you with service bikes at the shop, we will be contacting you within the next few days.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message us on Facebook, which we will continue to monitor through the shutdown.

As much as we wish to continue supporting your bicycle repair needs during this crisis, we respect and support the decisions being made for the best interest of all.

This is where we need your help.

We are a seasonal business, now being thrown into a “second winter” that we simply cannot afford. Knowing that the coming 6 months will be the biggest hill Hometown ever climbed…

If we’ve been there for you when you needed us…
If you share our beliefs…
If you advocate for cycling and small business…
If you love bicycles and cycling…

Please, consider supporting Hometown Bicycles below:

Hometown Bicycles GoFundMe Donate Now button

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.

With warmest love and gratitude,

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle repair, bicycles, bikes, breaking news, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Shutdown, cycling, cyclists, donate, Executive Order COVID-19, gofundme, Hometown Bicycles, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan, WXYZ Channel 7 News | Leave a comment »

Hometown Bicycles WILL STAY OPEN for SERVICE needs!

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Shaun

WE ARE OPEN FOR BIKE SERVICE 10AM – 3PM EVERY DAY

Dear Hometown Family,

There is no doubt that this unprecedented time is causing endless uncertainty and anxiety for everyone. We at Hometown Bicycles put your health and well being, and that of our crew’s, at the top of our priority list.

Following the Executive Order 2020-21 (COVID-19) issued TODAY at 11:00 a.m. by Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, we wanted to assure you that, pending any Executive Order updates, Hometown Bicycles WILL REMAIN OPEN for SERVICE NEEDS throughout this period of sheltering in place.

In section 7a(1), the Governor discusses the “critical importance of engaging in outdoor activity, including walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreation consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household.” We are here to support your physical and emotional need for exercise during this time.

Here are some important updates and changes for you to be aware of beginning March 24, 2020:

Our Service Department’s hours of operation will be 10am-3pm, 7 days/week, until the stay-at-home order is lifted.
Our Retail Store will be closed.
Emergency parts and accessories are available through our Service Department; pull into our lot during our hours of operation and call the shop from your vehicle to tell us what your needs are.
Product orders can be placed by calling the shop.
Please utilize our parking lot drop off and pick-up for all service bikes; we can handle payments at your vehicle.
For specific requests and concerns, give us a call at 810-225-2441.

From all of us to all of you, get out there and ride. Enjoy the emergence of spring — the fresh air, budding leaves and flowers, sunshine, and everything wonderful nature has to offer. We love you and our cycling community, and hope you and your family are staying healthy and positive. Stay strong. Stay sound. Stay active.

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Bicycles Crew

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike ride, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Update, cycling, cycling community, cyclists, emergency bicycle repair, emergency bike repair, family, Hometown Bicycles, livingston county, Michigan, outdoors, parking lot drop off, parking lot pick up, parking lot service, ride | Leave a comment »

A Heartfelt Goodbye + Team Night Memories

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Shaun

A Heartfelt Note from Your Hometown CEO:

Dear Hometownies,

Ten incredible years of sharing memories and adventures with you makes my personal message to you today bittersweet…

As of January 1st, I will be moving on from my CEO position here at Hometown.

Many of you already know Shaun’s and my history. When Shaun first asked for my help with Hometown over 10 years ago, it was at the level of brainstorming, building, and marketing our new venture. As the shop grew and expanded, so did my role. Our kids were born, and became part of the evolution and revolution that was and is our shop. And then, two years ago, I accepted my most challenging company position to date – as Hometown’s CEO.

With your help, we’ve earned Livingston Daily’s 2019 People’s Choice for Best Bike Shop, Vote 4 the Best’s 2019 Best Bike Shop, and League of Michigan Bicyclists 2019 Bike Shop of the Year. All of this tells me that we are on the right track, and we are going places.

Am I proud? YES!!!

I never anticipated being here this long, or in this capacity, but WOW, what a ride. Best 10 years of my life, bar none.

Through my experiences here, I’ve developed opportunities for myself; it’s time for me to take advantage of those opportunities. I’m ready and eager for the next adventure…

In the meantime, I leave Hometown in the very best of hands – Shaun’s, our Crew’s, and yours. The foundation is laid. You all know what Hometown IS; I’d like to ask for your help now in making it what it can BECOME. Limitless potential, my friends… limitless.

I am still Hometown through-and-through, so you’ll still see me here often. Hometown will always be my second home, and I adore my fellow Hometownies. Plus, I happen to love the owner 🙂

Thanks so much for being a part of my story, for being integral to my family’s life, and for the privilege of being your Hometown CEO.

With love and gratitude,

Dawn Bhajan

Merry Christmas, Hometownies!

Your Hometown family wishes you and yours a truly magical Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, joy, laughter… and lots of cycling. Thank you for the most fantastic 2019. Cheers to another year of adventure ahead!

We close at 3 PM on Christmas Eve and reopen at 10 AM on Friday, January 3, 2020. We hope you enjoy this time with the people who mean the most to you.

With love and warmest wishes… Your Hometown Crew

Team Night 2019… and what a night it was!

On Sunday, December 15th, current and prospective Team Hometown Bicycles members gathered at the shop for a fun, informative evening celebrating all things cycling.

Shaun and Dawn shared this year’s success stories and thanked our Team Sponsors — we are so appreciative of their support! Team Awards were shared with our cycling ambassadors who went above and beyond to give to the cycling community. And we are geeked to announce that all of our Team Sponsors and our Team Captains, Joe Ostervikand Mike Dyer, will be continuing into 2020. YAY!

Team Night was a great display of community and camaraderie, support and gratitude, and love for the incredible sport of cycling. Over 30 riders signed on to be part of 2020 Team Hometown Bicycles at the event alone!! What about you? Will you join our friendly group of non-competitive and competitive riders?

Stop by the shop to learn more about our mission, team expectations, and team benefits… and to pick up a membership application. You may also download an application HERE.

For information on online ordering of the Team Kit, click HERE.

Coming Soon: Winter Clinic Series

Beginning January 11, 2020, we will kick off our highly informative and, many times, hands-on Winter Clinic Series!

All clinics will be held on Saturdays at 11:30 AM at Hometown Bicycles. Stay tuned for more details and sign-up information.

Here are the topics for 2020:

Fat Tire Fix
Emergency Repair
Bike Maintenance – Before the Ride
Bike Maintenance – After the Ride
Bike Fitting Basics with Vinnie Baylerian, PT, DPT, Certified Level 2 Clinical BikeFit Pro
Nutrition: Get Healthy, Get Fit
Where to Ride in Michigan