5 years ago TODAY, Daniel J. Horal’s life changed forever, and now his legacy is changing yours…
When Dan set out for his bike ride on Wednesday April 24th, 2019, he was struck and killed by a distracted driver in Island Lake State Park.
Dan’s tragic accident was and still is devastating to his family. However, they didn’t let this tragedy become just a memory – it became a STORM OF CHANGE. His loss rallied the Horal family to say “ No More”. They created the Horal Family Foundation, with Dan’s wife, Jane, at the forefront of massive safety improvements here in Livingston County, the State of Michigan, and even on a national level, speaking directly to the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.
2023 marks the 5th anniversary of Dan’s passing and, in that time, the GO LIV CO / HORAL FAMILY FOUNDATION has raised and donated thousands of dollars to safety improvements at Island Lake State Park. The group has been working with the Transportation Coalition in Livingston County for creating sensible changes for safe mobility for all. They have worked closely with the Kiefer Foundation and Hands Free Michigan to help end distracted driving.
Want to help support the Mission? Click the button and logo below:
2019 Tour de Livingston in Review Epic in every way!
For Hometown Bicycles, the true mark of autumn is our favorite annual event, Tour de Livingston. While we can’t wait for it to come around each year, we are also saddened to see it go… it’s always such a memorable day.
This year was no different! On Sunday, October 6th, we had sun, we had fun, and we had an absolutely amazing time connecting with the cycling community for a great cause!
Pictured above: Team Hometown Bicycles member Neal Glazebrook raised $670 this year! Here is he ready to begin his 100-mile century ride. Go, Neal!
We can’t say enough about the Howell Rotary Club for their incredible efforts in organizing and running Tour de Livingston. They do a top-notch job. Our hats go off to them!
Since its inception in 2008, the Tour de Livingston has raised over $400,000 to address the critical needs of those who are struggling to meet their most basic needs. The proceeds go to the Livingston County United Way Basic Needs Program to benefit those right here in our community.
We’re incredibly proud to be an ongoing part of this amazing effort. And we’re incredibly proud of our amazing, community-minded Team, who came en masse to support, ride, and volunteer, and who demonstrated the best of the cycling community with their efforts before, during, and after the ride.
Team Hometown, you are amazing, and we salute you!!
Pictured above: Team Hometown Co-Captain and Mobile Rhythm Entertainment Team Sponsor Joe Ostervik, Matt Burke, Chris & Heather Harrison, and Quanta Inc. Team Sponsor Brad Allen
Dan Horal: We celebrate you
A friend and fellow Hometownie’s birthday would have been October 8th. Dan’s life was tragically cut short after being struck by a car mid-ride on April 25, 2019.
His memory lives on for all of us at Hometown, his family and friends, and a tight-knit cycling community who thinks of him often. Dan Horal, we send our prayers and birthday wishes to you.
“Today our dear friend and fellow cyclist Dan Horal would have celebrated his 63rd birthday. Happy birthday Dan, hope you are enjoying that ride in the sky.” — Shaun Bhajan
Show Your Hometown Spirit at the Velodrome October 19th!
SPORT THOSE HOMETOWN COLORS, AND JOIN SHAUN, DAWN AND YOUR FELLOW HOMETOWNIES on October 19th at the Lexus Velodrome in Detroit, where the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) will recognize the outstanding contributions of cycling advocates from around the state with a night of exciting indoor cycling races.
The 64,000 square foot, $4 million Lexus Velodrome is the most talked-about venue in the U.S. cycling world – and it’s right here in Michigan!
HOMETOWN BICYCLES IS A FINALIST FOR LMB’S SHOP OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Winners will be announced during a pre-race reception at 5 PM (heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar), followed by the Velodrome’s Saturday Night Rumbles at 7:30 PM.
Fitness options at Hometown Stay active year-round with our multitude of class offerings! We believe in wellness all year, even (especially) during those frigid Michigan winters. It’s sometimes hard to find the motivation to stay fit and active when all we want to do is hibernate until spring. This is one reason Hometown loves to host our fabulous fitness instructors and have class offerings most days of the week.
You have likely seen the classes in full swing as they rock it out on the main floor. As the cold weather descends, head on up to the shop to get your sweat on!
A great way to work it out, get that heart pumping and torch some major calories in a fun atmosphere! Wednesdays 6 PM Saturdays 9:45 AM $10 drop in (includes equipment); $5 drop in if you bring your own equipment
Power 30 with Martha Soraruf 30 minutes of strength training immediately following cardio drumming. Wednesdays 7 PM $5 drop in
Zumba with Leslie Barrett This hour class flies by due to the infectious music and easy-to-follow Latin dance fitness routines. You will get a full body workout through mega cardio and toning! Mondays 6 PM Thursdays 9:30 AM $8 drop in; 10-class punch card for $60
Zumba Gold with Tresa O’Rourke Zumba Gold offers a lower intensity Latin dance fitness experience. Perfect for active older adults, anyone needing modifications and those just starting an exercise program. Mondays 9:30 AM Sundays 10:30 AM $8 drop in: 10-class punch card for $50
COMING SOON: Yoga (Sati Circle), HIIT, and Pound!
Did someone say chili?!
Get your recipes simmering for our 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off!
SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday, November 9th, you can enter to win one very special (and kinda gaudy, but that’s what makes it fabulous) traveling trophy. Take home the bragging rights of being the 2019 Hometown Bicycles “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Cook-Off WINNER!
Stir up your favorite recipe and drop it off at the shop by 4 PM. People’s Choice judging will begin at 5 PM, and the winner will be announced by 7 PM.
Sign up coming SOON!
We hosted the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Brighton/Howell Unit on Wednesday, October 9th. They sponsored a public forum to encourage the public to get to know their county officials and their role in local road maintenance. Road Commission Director Steve Wasylk presented, and WHMI reported!
(Photo courtesy Miles Janicki) There are truly no words to capture the incredible outpouring of support and love we witnessed this past Sunday. It was a breathtaking moment to realize that over 550 riders and walkers were present in body, mind and soul at Island Lake to honor fellow cyclist, Dan Horal, whose life was tragically cut short after being struck by a car mid-ride on April 25th.
We could not have asked for more… absolutely amazing weather, a beautiful tribute, and a COMMUNITY who came together in solidarity to offer condolences to Dan’s family while also raising awareness about bicycle safety. Thank you so very much.
We offer our warmest gratitude to each of you who had an impact on this Memorial Ride for a great man who touched so many lives. We would like to call out a few particular individuals and businesses that helped take this Ride from meaningful to sheer magic.
Our sincere thanks go to…
The Horal Family – For allowing us to honor Dan’s memory and celebrate his life. Our love and support are with you.
Every cyclist who attended – For helping the Horal Family and cycling community make an unforgettable statement, and for not letting Dan’s tragedy go unremarked.
Cyclists in other States – For implementing your own Do It for Dan Memorial Rides and, in doing so, spreading the message and mission of this Ride beyond Michigan!
Unit Manager Andrew Haapala and Island Lake Recreation Area – For being wonderfully supportive and helpful throughout the process of creating this Ride
The Plotners & Wheels in Motion(at right) – For dropping everything to come out and support this Ride as a family and a team
Miles Janicki, Jill Zamojcin of Jilly Bean Photography, Doug Lapp, and a host of other skilled photographers – For photographic and video documentation of the event
The Do It for Dan Memorial Ride will now become an annual event. Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 3, 2020.
With May being National Bike Month, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate. In partnership with the Horal Family, and with your support, we want to finish Dan’s ride year after year.
The cycling community is grieving the loss of fellow cyclist, Dan Horal, whose life was tragically cut short after being struck by a car mid-ride on April 25th.
To honor Dan and his family, Hometown Bicycles has organized the Do It for Dan Memorial Ride, to take place this Sunday, May 5th at 4:15 PM. Please arrive at 3:45 PM as we gather to finish Dan’s ride and promote awareness that bicyclists and cars share the road.
To honor Dan, a moment of silence was shared at Hometown Bicycles’ Birthday Bash on Saturday, April 27th. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dan’s family and to everyone who loved him.
Please note that we will close early at 3 PM on Sunday, May 5th for this event.
Island Lake Demo Day: Saturday, May 4, 10 AM – 4 PM
This weekend, be sure to visit the 14th annual Island Lake Spring Bike Demo, a family-friendly event!. It’s a great chance to talk with people who “live the life”: building, riding, and maintaining the bikes you want to own. Then, take a few out for a test spin on the road and trails at Island Lake, finding the bike that pulls at your heartstrings.This event is one of the largest demo events in the region. You can expect to see hundreds of mountain bikes, road bikes, cross bikes, fat tire bikes, and everything in between. Riders usually bring their own pedals, and these will be mounted to the bike for you as part of the setup process.
When entering the park, turn to the right just after the attendant booths and follow the park road for approximately 2 miles. Spring Mill Pond will be on the left side of the road.
Participation at the Spring Bike Demo is free, courtesy of the Motor City Mountain Biking Association. The MCMBA will be serving food midday to all participants and vendors. Hometown Bicycles is providing hot dogs; any and all donations will be contributed to MCMBA. Be sure to stop by our tent, say hello, and eat!
Many thanks to Team Hometown Bicycles member, Steve Steinberg, for his critical role in making this event a reality!
Our Birthday ROCKED Thanks to You!
Thanks to all of our wonderful customers, friends, family, volunteers, employees and Team, we had a birthday chock full of fun and special memories!
The temperatures were brisk, but that didn’t stop us from grilling 100 hot dogs on the front lawn! Team Co-Captain, Joe Ostervik, proved himself to be a wicked grillmaster. Free lunches were served up to the brave souls who ventured out in the 45 degree weather!
Multiple birthday rides left from the shop at 4 PM with cyclists of all skill levels.
We wrapped up the evening with a rousing fundraising concert to benefit the Brighton High School Cycling Club. The Progressive Blues & Rhythm Bandtreated us to some amazing talent — bluesy rock and roll with a funky twist! Because of everyone’s generosity, we raised over $600 to support our youth cycling community! Way to go, Hometownies!
Pictured below: The PBR Band sings Happy Birthday to Hometown! And Shaun, Dawn and Aria Bhajan celebrate with Coaches TJ and Shawn Tyrell of the BHS Cycling Club.
Dawn Farm Ride for Recovery
The Ride for Recovery is a family-oriented fitness event that helps provide critical support to Dawn Farm by raising funds to assist addicts and alcoholics in achieving long-term recovery. Now in its 10th year, this event was originally started by a volunteer seeking to make a difference. Over the years, nearly $150,000 have been raised to help those in need.
Team Hometown was represented by Tom Hermann (right), and Joe Ostervik and Jacob Henriksen (above). Team Hometown, thank you for being community-driven and supporting an important cause!
Who loves Spring? WE DO!
There’s no better way to enjoy Spring than a Hometown Shop Ride on a beautiful sunny day in Brighton.
We offer beginner, intermediate and advanced rides… all skill levels are welcome!
Don’t have a bike? We rent them! Inquire at the shop.
Make sure to print or pick up your Shop Ride schedule!
We sometimes get asked about the term NO DROP that you see on the Ride descriptions. People wonder if this means you have to register and can’t drop in… no… you can always drop in!
NO DROP simply means that no one is left behind. Each ride had a Lead and a Sweep; the Sweep will make sure that the group stays together and no one gets “dropped”!
Hometown Business Incubator We have a major project going on in Hometown’s back room – a buildout that includes a new business incubator rental space!
What is a business incubator? Business incubators are organizations that offer startups shared operation space. In short, they offer fledgling young companies a warm, safe place to grow and prosper.
Our incubator will be ideal for:
Business meetings
Networking groups
Fitness classes
Startup churches
Kids programs
Arts/crafts programs and classes
Hometown’s business incubator will be available for hourly rentals. Incubator Sponsorships are now available. If you would like to learn about rental or Sponsorship, contact Dawn at office@myhometownbicycles.com.
Grand Opening coming SOON!
CURRENTLY SEEKING FULL-TIME SERVICE TECHS Monday-Friday, 9-5
Stop by the shop for an application.
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM $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 $10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more
Sati Yoga | Saturday 5/11 and Sundays 5/19 and 5/26 9 AM $10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more
