Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride | Hometown Bicycles

Closing for Inventory on 11/19 + Chili Champions + Marketing for Entrepreneurs

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Shaun

We will be closed for inventory on TUESDAY 11/19.

Fitness classes will still be running at the shop:
6 PM: HIIT
7 PM: Pound

Entrepreneurship Event: MARKETING!

Tuesday, December 10 from 6-8:30 PM

Attention all Go-Getters! This one is for you!

Men and women of all ages, join us at Hometown Bicycles for a fun, engaging and informative program aimed at business owners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs who want to enter the new year with a solid marketing plan.

A panel of experts will present information on print marketing, graphic design and how to truly capture the spirit of your business, web/online presence, and general promotion and marketing must-knows! There will be time for a Q&A session following the speakers, plus refreshments, takeaways, and time to chat with like-minded folks in our community.

So that we can fully focus on YOU, we will be closing the shop early for this event.

SIGN UP HERE!

Our 4th Annual Chili Cookoff was a saucy, spicy, succulent good time!

What a terrific turnout on Saturday 11/9 — thank you all for coming out to join our kickoff fat bike friendly ride, share your fantastic chili recipes with us, provide an inquisitive audience for Guinness World Records contender Bill St. Onge, and for choosing our Chili Cookoff winners!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

OVERALL WINNER: Ann & Miles Janicki’s Chili Cornbread Casserole

MILD WINNER: Ann & Miles Janicki’s Chili Cornbread Casserole

MEDIUM WINNER: Gary Kulhanek’s Happy Tongue Gourmet Chili

SPICY WINNER: Mike Dyer’s Dirty Brat Chili

Many thanks to Miles Janicki for capturing some of these fun images!

Save the date for next year’s Chili Cookoff:
Saturday, November 14, 2020, one week post-Iceman!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Ann and Miles Janicki, 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, Bill St. Onge, Brighton, chili cook off, closed for inventory, cycling, cyclists, entrepreneurship event, fat bike friendly mountain bike ride, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Gary Kulhanek, group rides, Guinness Book of World Records, HIIT, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, marketing for entrepreneurs, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, mike dyer, Pound, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

Winter Bike Clinic Series Starts TONIGHT

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Shaun

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t stay active on your bike!

Did you know we have a weekly Fat Bike Friendly Ride every Saturday, trail conditions permitting? We bike snow, cold, wind, and freaky, spring-like, mid-winter weather with the same “ya-HOOOOOOO!!” spirit.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: You never know when those priceless spring-like days will pop up. Don’t get caught short with your bike ride-UNready – have your bike tuned up now. That way, when Mother Nature decides to bestow kindness upon us Michiganders, you will be rollin’ hassle-free!

FYI: This week, we will be riding the trails at Brighton Recreation Area. We will meet at the Bishop Lake trail head at 8:45 AM and rolling at 9 AM. There will be two separate groups to accommodate all skill levels. The A group will be riding the entire system this week. The B group is TBD. If you have not filled out a waiver for 2019, it’s necessary to do so. There will be some available at the trail head, or stop by the shop to fill one out beforehand.

If you don’t follow our Facebook page, you really should! Not only can you get the latest updates on winter rides, but plenty of other awesome information about everything else we have brewing at the shop. Not to mention the many bicycle-related memes shared by Shaun, Leslie and Andy… it’s not official, exactly, but there seems to be a battle for whose posts get the most likes. (Not that we’re keeping track — cough, cough.)

Speaking of Fat Bikes…

Are you familiar with our Rental Program?

That’s right! We rent bicyles! Whether you want to try out one of our Saturday rides, rent for a day, or rent for several days, we can meet your needs. We currently have a fleet of Fat Bikes available… one in every size!

Rental Rates:
$25 for one ride
$50 for one day
$120 for 3 days

Winter Clinic Series

Come one, come all… and invite your friends… to our fun-filled, educational bike clinics. Did we mention they are FREE?

Winter blues? Forget about it! You’ll be too busy learning cool bike stuff!

Our annual winter clinic series is underway starting TODAY!

First up is our hands-on Flat Tire Fix clinic with Shaun, running this evening and again on Saturday morning. Bring along your wheel for some hands-on practice, or use one of ours. Required: Please bring along tire levers, patch kit, inner tube, and hand pump and/or CO2 inflator. Don’t have ‘em – don’t worry! You can purchase them here at a discounted price prior to class. Sign up here!

And here is the schedule of upcoming clinics! So that we can plan ahead to make things awesome for everyone, early registration is appreciated. Click each registration link for the clinic(s) you’d like to attend.

Emergency Bicycle Repair Hands-On Clinic
Thursday 1/17 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 1/19 from 10-11 AM

Bike Maintenance – Before the Ride Care
Thursday 1/24 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 1/26 from 10-11 AM

Bike Maintenance – After the Ride Care
Thursday 1/31 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 2/2 from 10-11 AM

Bike Fitting Basics with Vinnie Baylerian
Saturday 2/9 from 12-1:30 PM

Cycling Nutrition
Thursday 2/14 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 2/16 from 10-11 AM

Fitness Classes at Hometown Bicycles

Cardio Drumming | Wendesdays at 6 PM
$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays at 6 PM & Thursdays at 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays at 9:30 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 repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycle tune ups, bicycles, bike clinics, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bike tune ups, bikes, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, cycling, cyclists, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bike rental, fitness classes, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, mountain bike ride, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tresa O’Rourke, tune-ups, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Chili to Die for & Up to 40% Off Cycling Apparel

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Shaun

We came, we saw, we ate chili… COPIOUS amounts of chili!

Those who left hungry from last weekend’s 3rd Annual Hometown Bicycles Chili Cook-Off didn’t do it right!

We reached an all-time record participation with 16 chili entries ranging from spicy and gamey to mild and vegetarian. Congratulations to Team Hometown’s Jack Riddle, who won the Cook-Off trophy with a Bacon Onion Chili that might arguably have been to die for. (Bacon! Who’s with me?!)

An impressive number of riders braved the bitter wet-cold to launch our 2018/19 Winter Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride. We warmed ’em back up with bowls of piping hot chili and a friendly competition on our Zwift trainer set-up!

Shaun was feelin’ the love from all of the birthday wishes brought his way. A warm-hearted “Thanks!!” to all of you who attended – and cooked and baked and fueled his lottery passion – to make his 40th birthday celebration one he’ll always remember! Can’t wait for next year’s event!

Thursday, Nov. 15th – Saturday, Nov. 17th

UP TO 40% OFF CYCLING APPAREL*

(10% off Special Orders!)

On cycling wear of all shapes, sizes, and seasons, we’re treating you to one of the best discounts we’ve EVER offered on clothing! Jerseys, jackets, shorts, bibs, socks, shoes, fashionwear, helmets – it’s ALL fair game with this week’s incredible promotion:

Spend this… **

• Up to $50
• $51 – $100
• $101 – $200
• Over $200

GET THIS…

15% OFF your cycling apparel purchase
25% OFF your cycling apparel purchase
35% OFF your cycling apparel purchase
40% OFF your cycling apparel purchase

Plus, enjoy a bonus 25% off Parts & Accessories when you make a clothing purchase!***

* Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Excludes gloves and consignment clothing.
** Pre-tax total in cycling apparel dollars.
** Excludes trainers.

Keep a close eye on your emails and our Facebook page for more November excitement!

FREE WINTER CYCLING GEAR CLINIC
Join us as we tackle the topic of winter body covering – most importantly, what will keep you SAFE, DRY, and WARM.

THU, 11/15 Winter Gear Clinic, 7-8:30pm
SAT, 11/17 Winter Gear Clinic, 9:30-11am

COME TO 2019 TEAM NIGHT!
Sunday, December 2nd, 5-8pmLearn about joining Team Hometown, meet our Sponsors, pre-order your Team kit, and enjoy a complimentary Taco Bar!

FREE event! REGISTER NOW!

BECOME A TEAM SPONSOR
As our jersey fills up with logos, our Sponsor roster is rapidly filling up with dedicated, loyal, skilled, best-of-the-best businesses with strong ties to cycling. Will your company be next on board?

Email Dawn for Sponsorship details!

Women’s Entrepreneurship Clinic & Forum (12/4, 6-8pm)
Hometown CEO, Dawn’s, passion for female enterprise = a new “girl boss” clinic series!
On Tues, Dec. 4th, 6-8pm hear from four, local, powerhouse women business owners about the elusive work-life-family balance, staying competitive in a changing market, the legalities of being your own boss, and setting boundaries!

Free; refreshments provided: SIGN UP!

Our guest speakers, pictured above, clockwise from top left: Kelly A. Myers of Myers & Myers, PLLC,Colleen Fitzgerald of Sk y Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Lisa Nelson of Hush Intimate Apparel, and Dr. Tianna Rooney of Perspectives Therapy Services

HOMETOWN BICYCLES SHOP RIDES

Our Shop Rides are open to the public, and span the cycling spectrum from beginner to advanced, road to trail, and everything in between. FOR ALL RIDES, please arrive 15 minutes early and confirm details in advance on our Facebook events page.

Gravel Grinding 101 | Level: Novice & Up

WEDNESDAYS, 5:45PM | FROM HOMETOWN | Find ride details and updates HERE!

………………………………………………..

Sunday Gravel Grinder | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

SUNDAYS, 9AM | VARIES | Find ride details and updates HERE!

………………………………………………..

Fat Bike Friendly Ride | Level: Novice & Up

SATURDAYS, TIME TBD | VARIES | Find ride details and updates HERE!

*** Fun fact: WE RENT BIKES! ***

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Cardio Drumming | Wendesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more

Hatha Yoga | Thursdays at 10:45AM
$8 drop in per class – With Stacy Mulka | Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

There is always, always, ALWAYS something “cooking” at Hometown.

~ That’s our promise to you.

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 40th Birthday, best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, boundaries, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, chili, chili cook off, clothing sale, Colleen Fitzgerald, cycling, cyclists, Dr. Tianna Rooney, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, Female Entrepreneurship, fitness classes, group rides, Hatha Yoga, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, Hush Intimate Apparel, Jack Riddle, Kelly A. Myers, Leslie Barrett, Lisa Nelson, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, Myers and Myers PLLC, Perspectives Therapy Services, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Stacy Mulka, taco bar, Team Hometown Bicycles, Team Night, team sponsor, Winter Gear Clinic, Women's Entrepreneurship, work-life-family balance, zumba | Leave a comment »

Christmas GULP! Countdown

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Shaun

5 DAYS LEFT – BUT THEN, YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT…
The way I see it, you’re likely in one of three states: panic, smug satisfaction, or mid-mayhem. Happily, we have just the thing for each!

If a five-day countdown gives you the cold sweats, breathe! We carry everything from bikes to bottle cages, and t-shirts to travel mugs. There are gift certificates and tune-up certificates for the impossible-to-shop-for, and we’re open right up to 3pm on Christmas Eve. Everybody loves riding a bike (well, almost everyone, but don’t worry – they’re working on a cure!) So, guaranteed happiness with one-stop shopping. Crisis. Averted.

If you’re still tracking down stocking stuffers and add-on presents, you’ll be good to go with our keychains, bottle openers, Gu and Hammer nutrition, CO2 pumps, winter gloves, bike lube, magnets, bike lights, shot glasses, and the hundred and one other pint-sized goodies for fun, bike-ish finishing touches.

If you’re patting yourself on the back for beating the rush, come out and celebrate with a winter ride on one of our rental fat bikes or – yahooo!! – reward yourself with one of your own! Treat yourself to that bike computer you’ve been oggling, or that pair of winter riding boots your feet have been begging for. Just consider us your “I rock!” celebration center.

CHRISTMAS ORDERS & HOURS

The final day to place ANY order for Christmas arrival has come… aaaannd gone. But a belated present is better than NO present, so we’re happy to be your last-minute Santa’s elf!

CHRISTMAS HOURS:

OPEN: Christmas Eve 9AM – 3PM
CLOSED: Christmas Day – January 1st

We’ll reopen January 2nd, normal hours!

WINTER BIKE CLINIC SERIES STARTS JAN 9TH

Life after the holidays… ? Why yes – yes there is! January and February are not only prime fat bike, spin bike, and trainer time, ’tis also the perfect season for educating yourself on how to be a savvy cyclist. We’ve run our Winter Clinic Series since opening in 2010… not to toot our own horn, but *toot* we’re really good at it! All clinics are FREE and, this year, we’re also offering some new perks and privileges – click the links below for details and to register:

Flat Tire Fix Hands-On Clinic
Tues, Jan 9th, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Jan 11th, 7-8pm

Emergency Bicycle Repair Hands-On Clinic
Tues, Jan 16th, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Jan 18th, 7-8pm

Bike Maintenance – Before the Ride Care
Tues, Jan 23rd, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Jan 25th, 7-8pm

Bike Maintenance – After the Ride Care
Tues, Jan 30th, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Feb 1st, 7-8pm

Bike Fitting with Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
Thu, Feb 8th, 7-8pm

Cycling Nutrition Clinic
Tues, Feb 13th, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Feb 15th, 7-8pm

Cycling Gear & Wear Clinic
Tues, Feb 20th, 12:15-1pm & Thu, Feb 22nd, 7-8pm

Where to Ride in Michigan Potluck Party
Thu, March 1st, 7-9pm

<< Click the image at left for a printable Clinic Series flier!

THIS SATURDAY: FAT BIKE FRIENDLY RIDE

Yep, we’re sneaking in one more before the holidays!!

MEET AT HOMETOWN AT 9:45AM – WE ROLL AT 10AM Bring your Fat Bikes for a pedal through Island Lake with your Hometownies. This is an INTERMEDIATE, No Drop Ride (not an easy ride for a beginner) through hills, sand, and snow (exploring behind “the pond”). We estimate 12-16 miles of adventure. Come dressed for the weather! CLICK HERE for weather updates.** Fat Bikes are available for rent at the shop, if you don’t yet have your own! **