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    10595 Grand River Road
    Brighton, MI 48116
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    Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM
    Friday: 10 AM - 7 PM
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    Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

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SHOP OF THE YEAR! + A Message from Shaun & Dawn

LMB Awards

(Above: Shaun and Dawn Bhajan, pictured with an incredible group of fellow LMB Awards Shop of the Year Finalists, at the Detroit Velodrome. That’s a lot of awesome in one place!)

Hometownies,

Shop of the Year.

Shop. Of. The. Year.

YOUR BIKE SHOP has just been awarded League of Michigan Bicyclists’ 2019 Shop of the Year. And if you don’t already understand your role in bringing this about, please read on…

We all know Hometown is more than just a shop. In fact, sometimes you know that even better than we do, and we are eternally grateful that you never let us forget it! Hometown is a community, a philosophy, and a movement. Our Crew, our Team and, most definitely, our customers are both the core of, and the messengers for, that culture.

LMB Awards

Your involvement, your patronage, your loyalty, and your referrals have expanded the scope and reach of EVERYTHING Hometown has ever created, including the impact we so enjoy making in both our local community and the cycling community at large.

Most recently, that impact included one of our proudest achievements – the creation of the annual Do It for Dan Memorial Ride, honoring a beloved, local rider who was struck and killed by a motorist while cycling at Island Lake. Over 550 of you turned that Ride into a powerful message to motorists and cyclists everywhere to always stay alert and to share the road safely.

LMB Awards

It’s also worth mentioning that this award says “SHOP of the Year,” not “BIKE SHOP OWNERS of the Year” or “SHOP INDIVIDUAL of the Year”. And, of course, what is a “shop”? It’s the amplified total of all the individuals who support it. 

Shop of the Year, Hometownies. What a win for us all!

With love and appreciation,

Shaun & Dawn


4th Annual Chili Cook-Off: Great Bowls of Fire!

Saturday, November 9th from 4-7 PM

Chili Cook-Off


It’s almost time for Iceman… do you know what that means?

It’s time to get your recipes simmering for our 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off! Our annual tradition is always the weekend following Iceman, and we are stoked to consume copious amounts of chili!  

Enter your mild, medium or spicy deliciousness to win awards and perhaps even take home the very special –and kinda gaudy, but that’s what makes it fabulous — traveling trophy. And you get a whole year to share 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. Be sure to bring your garnishes and serving utensils, and your recipe ingredients written on an index card for allergy-conscious diners.

When you sign up, don’t let us know what kind of chili you’re bringing. It needs to be a surprise! We are all about unbiased voting, folks! 

Enter your chili HERE!

FAT BIKE PRE-RIDE! Prior to the chili eatin’, Team Hometown Co-Captain Mike Dyer will be leading a Fat Bike Ride, so stay tuned for details. That way, you can burn off a ton of calories before you add them all back!


Our Team Totally Rocks… How Cool is THIS?

Team Hometown at Detroit Free Press Marathon

On Sunday, October 20th, several Team Hometown members kicked off the Detroit Free Press Marathon as lead cyclists! 

Known lovingly as the “Freep”, this epic event has been going strong since 1978. Runners from all over the world have traveled to Detroit to take part — and it has become an event that encompasses people from all walks of life, not just elite runners.

We couldn’t be more proud of these guys for representing Hometown in this amazing way.

Pictured above (left to right): John WyattRon SzumskiTom HermannDennis DohertyDoug Lapp, and Team Hometown Co-Captain and Mobile Rhythm Entertainment Sponsor Joe Ostervik.

John Harrington

Kudos to John Harrington for his first place podium at Custer’s Last Stand on Saturday, October 5th in Augusta, MI.

This all-volunteer benefit event is sponsored by the Join the Fight of Battle Creek, in collaboration with the YWCA of Kalamazoo, to raise awareness of human trafficking and other types of domestic violence. Way to go, John!


Entrepreneurship Event: MARKETING!

Who: Anyone interested in learning about Marketing! Business owners, entrepreneurs, start-up endeavors, 

students… come one, come all… men and women, all ages!

What: Informative and FUN evening on a hot topic!

Tues, December 10 from 6-8:30 PM

Where: Hometown Bicycles! We will be closing the shop early to focus on this event!

Why: Because your Hometown ladies, Dawn and Leslie, really love supporting entrepreneurs!

Coming in a future email: Our fantastic lineup of speakers and the link to sign up! Keep your eyes peeled!


Goodbye, Summer Shop Rides…
See you next year!
 
Our weekly shop rides will be saying goodbye at the end of October. Stay tuned for pop-up rides and fat tire rides as weather permits. The best way to stay informed is via our Facebook page. Make sure to like and follow to get all the latest updates.

Thanks for a wonderful spring/summer season riding with us!

Lake Trust Credit Union Champions Hometown Incubator Entrepreneurs!

Lake Trust Credit Union - Hometown Business Incubator Title Sponsorship ad

You all know that we’ve been bringing to life a specially dedicated rental space in Hometown Bicycles’ back room – a Hometown Business Incubator, where fledgling business owners can turn their visions into reality. This space is designed to give entrepreneurs a resource-rich home base to launch their businesses, build a following, and get a taste of leasing without overwhelming costs or lengthy commitments. 

But we’re not the only ones championing entrepreneurship in our new space!

Lake Trust Credit Union, a company so devoted to supporting local economic development that it formed a Community Reinvestment Team (wow!!!), has enthusiastically stepped into the role of Incubator Title Sponsor. In this role, they will not only generously subsidize the first month’s rent for our first 12 Incubator entrepreneurs*, but will also share a wealth of resources and insights at our entrepreneurship events and programsThank you, Lake Trust, for your commitment to local innovation and enterprise!

Hometown Business Incubator Title Sponsor, Lake Trust Credit Union, with the Hometown Bicycles team

Get to know the Lake Trust Team that is helping to make our Incubator dreams possible (left to right in Lake Trust shirts): Nicole Dietrich, DeAndre Lipscomb, Rebecca O’Connell, Justin Haun, and (not pictured) Katie Callicutt.


SPONSOR INTERVIEW: Giving entrepreneurs wings!


Tell us why Lake Trust made the decision to be our main sponsor.
We try to help our members in all aspects of their financial life. We’re also very dedicated to our Michigan communities and the small businesses that help foster economic development in those communities. Our Community Reinvestment Team was inspired by the commitment that Hometown Bicycles shares with us to support local entrepreneurs. By sponsoring the business incubator space, we saw that we could help our member, Hometown Bicycles, expand this commitment to the community. And we saw that this was an opportunity for us to support other businesses in Brighton, too.

What are some ways you’d like to partner to create a successful and positive experience for entrepreneurs and new business startups?
Over the last few years, we’ve added more solutions to help entrepreneurs find success. We now offer micro business loans, which is a great option for new businesses who need funding under $50,000 to get started. We also have a new line of Treasury Services that business owners can use to manage their account. But the most important thing we want business owners to know is that we’re here for them through every step of their journey. We love being able to work with our members to help them reach their goals and find success.

What makes Lake Trust unique? How do you differ from other credit unions and banks?
Our business services set us apart from other financial institutions. The decision-making on our business loans happens locally right here in Brighton. We don’t send our business loan applications out-of-state or rely on an automated system to make a funding decision. Our team takes the time to get to know our business members and to learn more about our members’ story, goals, and funding needs.

In what ways do Hometown and Lake Trust share commitment to the community?
Lake Trust and Hometown Bicycles are both Brighton-based organizations who understand the importance of supporting the success of local businesses. Both of our teams share a passion for giving back, volunteering, and offering fantastic service. We, like Hometown Bicycles, live and breathe for the opportunity to provide great service and assist people whenever we can. In fact, we collaborated with Hometown Bicycles last summer for a community service project. Our team volunteered to build 42 bicycles for kids in need and the folks at Hometown helped us with this initiative by offering their expertise.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
You can learn more about our business services on our website. Keep an eye on our blog and social media pages to see how we’re supporting our communities in Michigan.

* Contact Dawn at office@myhometownbicycles.com for details about the Hometown Business Incubator and Lake Trust Credit Union’s amazing Sponsor subsidy.


Baylerian’s Bagels, Bikes & Brew: 
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
Sunday, August 11 from 9 AM-1 PM

Vinnie Baylerian Pro-Motion Physical Therapy

Join Team Hometown Bicycles’ Title Sponsor, Vinnie Baylerian, for a morning chock full of fun. Kick things off at Pro-Motion Physical Therapy with coffee and bagels, head out on a guided bike ride, and wind down with a beverage after at Brewery Becker.

This will be a 20-mile mixed road and gravel ride that includes some 2-track cross-country skiing paths in Huron Meadows. There will be two groups for the ride: An A group for faster riders and B group for everyone else! Team Hometown’s Jack Riddle will lead the A group and Vinnie Baylerian will lead the B group.

“There will be less time on ‘main’ roads and more time experiencing a little fun character,” states Jack. Sounds pretty awesome, folks!

Pro-Motion Physical Therapy

Pro-Motion Physical Therapy is located at 205 W. Grand River.

New! For our hard core gravel riders, join Jack for a bonus/optional 30-mile pre-ride at 7 AM. Meet at Pro-Motion!

Express your interest HERE!


Gravel Ride + Monkey Loob Mixer with Lyndsay Stiles!

Monkey Loob

Wednesday, August 14th from 6-9 PM
Join us for a 13-mile Gravel Ride around and through Island Lake and back to the shop! We will then have a Monkey Loob Mixer — demonstration, Q&A about this amazing product, and time to socialize with Lyndsay Stiles, competitive mountain biker and inventor and owner of Monkey Loob, with fellow cyclists.

Lyndsay Stiles Monkey Loob

The ride will take off from our Hometown lot at 6 PM. Gravel, ,mountain bikes or fat bikes are all good — road bikes, maybe not so much for this ride! Helmets required.

Don’t have a bike? Ask about our rental program! We have a fleet of rentals in various sizes.

BYOBeverages for the after-ride festivities!

Let us know you’re coming HERE!


Women’s Entrepreneurship: FREE Fitness Forum!
Thursday, August 22 from 6-8 PM

Free Fitness Forum

Our fabulously informative Women’s Entrepreneurship Series continues, this time with a focus on FITNESS.

For new fitness professionals and business owners in the fitness industry (as well as those considering this career path), come spend the evening with inspirational women who will share their business journeys via a panel discussion. Be sure to bring your questions!

There will be food, there will be fun, and there will be fellowship with like-minded women!

Topics to be covered:

  • Where should I teach?
  • What should I expect in terms of startup cost?
  • What is my target client base, and how do I find them?
  • How do I increase attendance?
  • What are the best ways to market myself?
  • When do I throw in the towel and when should I persevere?
  • Competitors — friends or foes?
  • And much more!

SIGN UP HERE!

Body Within Jenny Schild

Last week, we introduced you to our first panelist, Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer, Jenny Schild with Body Within. Jenny holds a personal training certification from American Council on Exercise (ACE) and YogaFit certifications. Her specialty is getting people started!

Pictured left: Jenny Schild
Pictured below: Leslie Barrett

Leslie Barrett

This week, meet our next panelist, Hometown’s very own Events Coordinator, Leslie Barrett! Many of you have seen Leslie teaching her Zumba classes at the shop — and that’s because she’s also an entrepreneur who operates Zumba with Leslie Barrett

As a licensed Zumba instructor, Leslie teaches at multiple locations in the Brighton area. She got her start 7 years ago as an introverted and somewhat timid student in the back of another instructor’s class. As she gained confidence and discovered how life-changing Zumba is, she found herself in the instructor training and began teaching independently of a studio/gym, renting various spots and venturing into corporate wellness programs.

“I love the freedom of being an entrepreneur and being my own boss. I can tailor my business to reflect my own values  — integrity, compassion, encouragement — and help others find their own love for fitness through Zumba,” shares Leslie.

Stay tuned to hear who our next panelist is, in next week’s newsletter! 


In Team Hometown News…

Doug Lapp

Doug Lapp is such a good sport — what better Hometownie to share the love of mountain biking with a group of newbies?

Doug volunteered his time to collaborate with Island Lake on Wednesday, August 7th for Intro to Mountain Biking, part of the park’s summer recreation programming. Great job, Doug!


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 | Tuesdays 6:30 PM beginning August 13
$7 drop in – With Dawn Gaden, RYT  |  Click to learn more

Hometown Gets the Hollywood Treatment

Team Hometown Bicycles preps for video footage for FHL Bank

Lights, Camera… Action!! Hometown goes Hollywood 

Team Hometown helpers (above, left to right): Joe Ostervik, Suzy Graham, Keith Cowgar and Steve Wortley we’re willing extras on set. Elaine Atallah was there, too, but was being filmed when this photo was taken!

As many of you know, Hometown Bicycles has something brewing in its backroom. You may have heard the hammering and sawing in the early stages, or perhaps you have caught a glimpse of its potential recently, after months and months of slow-but-steady progress. 

What you may NOT know is that Hometown won a $25,000 Elevate (Small Business) Grant in 2018 from Federal Home Loan (FHL) Bank of Indianapolis. Elevate is a grant program that assists the growth and development of small businesses, their workforce, and the communities where they are located.

Steven Walsh of FHL Bank of Indianapolis oversees the filming of a promotional Grant video ABOUT Hometown Bicycles AT Hometown Bicycles!

Above: Steven Walsh of FHL Bank of Indianapolis oversaw production set-up in the Community Room.

Lake Trust Credit Union‘s Commercial Services team had learned about this grant opportunity last year, worked with Shaun and Dawn to apply, and were instrumental in helping Hometown be one of the chosen grant recipients. We couldn’t be more grateful to Lake Trust and FHL Bank of Indianapolis for their support. 

Which brings us to this week — on Monday 7/22, FHL Bank of Indianapolis sent a videographer to Hometown to spend the day capturing footage of the shop, customer interactions, shop activities and interviews.

Leslie Barrett interviewed by FHL Bank

Above: Leslie Barrett, Events Coordinator, is interviewed about teaching Zumba at Hometown.

Our Community Room served as interview central, Team acted as willing extras, and our evening Zumba class was excited to show that Hometown is more than your typical bike shop.

This video, once complete, will go out to hundreds, possibly thousands. What an honor to be chosen for this spotlight! 


Upcoming Events at Hometown!

We have all sorts of good things brewing at the shop and in the community — mark your calendars for one or all of the following!

Walk to End Alzheimer's Zumba/Cardio Drumming Class

Work Out to Benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Monday, August 5 from 6-7 PM

Join Cardio Drumming’s Martha Soraruf and Zumba’s Leslie Barrett for a donation-based class to raise money for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. No set class fee; just donate what you’d like. All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Vinnie Baylerian

Baylerian’s Bagels, Bikes & Brew: Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
Sunday, August 11 from 9 AM-1 PM

Join Team Hometown Bicycles’ Title Sponsor, Vinnie Baylerian, for a morning chock full of fun. Kick things off at Pro-Motion Physical Therapy with coffee and bagels, head out on a guided bike ride, and wind down after at Brewery Becker.

There will be two groups for the ride: An A group for faster riders and B group for everyone else! Team Hometown’s Jack Riddle will lead the A group and Vinnie Baylerian will lead the B group. CLICK HERE for more details!

Monkey Loob

Gravel Ride + Monkey Loob Mixer
Wednesday, August 14 from 6-9 PM

Join us for a 13-mile Gravel Ride around and through Island Lake and back to the shop! We will then have a Monkey Loob Mixer — demonstration, Q&A about this amazing product, and time to socialize with Lyndsay Stiles, competitive mountain biker and inventor and owner of Monkey Loob, with fellow cyclists.

Women's Entrepreneurship Series

Women’s Entrepreneurship: Fitness
Thursday, August 22 from 6-8 PM

Save the date! Our Women’s Entrepreneurship Series continues, this time with a focus on FITNESS. For new business owners in the fitness industry as well as those considering this career path. Spend the evening with inspirational women who will share their journeys, followed by a Q&A session. More details to come in our next newsletter!


In Team Hometown News…

Lorelei Smith at Traverse City Trails Fest

Big congratulations to Lorelei Smith (above) who placed first in her category for the 15 mile race at the Traverse City Trails Fest on Saturday, July 20th. The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association, this event supports trail maintenance and advocacy efforts.

Way to go, Lorelei!

Tom Hermann and Doug Lapp at Intro to Mountain Biking

Big thanks to Tom Hermann and Doug Lapp for volunteering their time to help mountain biking newbies at Island Lake’s Intro to Mountain Biking event on Wednesday, July 14th. In conjunction with Becca, the park’s Explorer Guide, riders learned the basics of mountain biking as a recreation activity, including safety and trail etiquette. Doug created a video to show how much fun was had — watch it HERE

Mark Cook at RAGBRAI

Team Hometown’s Mark Cook has been on quite an awesome adventure at the 2019 RAGBRAI (The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). Check him out here, dunking his back tire in the Missouri River (above) and posing with Uncle Sam (below)!

He’s also been enjoying John Wayne’s hometown, Christmas in July, and Beekman’s fresh ice cream, made in the field by diesel-powered churns.

Mark Cook at RAGBRAI

In 44 years, RAGBRAI has passed through 780 Iowa towns, spent the night in 125 different overnight towns, and has been in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. It is the longest, largest and oldest recreational bicycle touring event in the world!

Thanks, Mark, for sharing your journey with us!


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 | Tuesdays 6:30 PM beginning August 13
$7 drop in – With Dawn Gaden, RYT  |  Click to learn more

The 32nd Annual Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour, the single-largest fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Michigan, is this weekend.

Good luck to Doc Horal, Louise Horal and family, Team Hometown, and all of the riders who are taking part in this inspiring event that makes thousands of wishes come true.

We Did It for Dan with ALL of Your Support

With our deepest gratitude, thank you…

Do It for Dan Memorial Ride bike with rose

(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.

Over 550 riders and walkers participated in the inaugural Do It for Dan Memorial Ride

(Photo courtesy Doug Lapp)

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.

Doug Lapp
Dan Horal

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.

Dan Horal

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!

The Hometown Crew & Team Hometown Bicycles – For spreading the word so well and so quickly!

Unit Manager Andrew Haapala and Island Lake Recreation Area – For being wonderfully supportive and helpful throughout the process of creating this Ride

The Wheels in Motion Family

The Plotners & Wheels in Motion (at right) – For dropping everything to come out and support this Ride as a family and a team

WHMI – For their helpful promotion of this Ride

Channel 4 & Channel 7 – For making an appearance at this Ride to help spread the message

League of Michigan Bicyclists – For using its vast network to help spread the word

MCMBA – For allowing us to use Demo Day to promote the event

All of the Demo Day participants – For rallying to the cause, and helping get the word out throughout the cycling community

A show of support at the MCMBA's Annual Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day for the Do It for Dan Memorial Ride


(To all of the amazing vendors at Demo Day, THANK YOU for helping to spread the word about the Ride!) 

Kirt Albrecht at Big PDQ – For his contribution toward printing the Ride flier

Robin Fry – For her lightning-fast turnaround on, and her contribution toward, the unmissable Ride t-shirts

Dan Horal

Fred Tomczyk – For his skillful rendering of the Ghost Bike Memorial design

Scott Brooks – For his artistry and craftsmanship in the creation of the Ghost Bike Memorial

Joel Hakken of MidWest Bike & Tandem – For his bicycle donation for the Ghost Bike Memorial

Master Blaster – For donation of his services to prep the Ghost Bike for painting

Dan Horal

Matt Maximoff – For his invaluable assistance in creating the Memorial plaque

Joe Ostervik of DJ Mobile Rhythms – For emceeing the Ride, and the use of his sound equipment

Mike & Lisa Hartwell of The Eric Hartwell Foundation – For the loan of their bullhorn

Beauchamp Water Supply & Treatment– For generously supplying all of the water for the Ride

Les Cook – For carrying on his tradition of being the world’s most helpful sweep, and assisting cyclists all along the Ride

Jim Plaunt with Bike Tour Vacations – For sharing his heartfelt blog post about the Ride

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

Click to view Miles’s stunning event photos
Click to find yourself in Jill’s Facebook rider collage
Click to view Doug’s awesome Ride video

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 Horal Family with the Daniel J. Horal Ghost Bike Memorial at the Do It for Dan Memorial Ride


(
Photo of the Horal Family courtesy Jill Zamojcin of Jilly Bean Photography)

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