Iceman Cometh Challenge | Hometown Bicycles

The Power of Possibilities: Thank you, Lake Trust!

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Shaun

How cool is this?!
It’s not every day you see yourself larger than life while cruising down the highway. Imagine our surprise to discover Shaun and Dawn hovering high above I-96 at Dorr Road!

We have a challenge for our Hometownies!

Take a selfie with the billboard (you can access it from Dorr Road, near the Humane Society)
Post it on social media, tagging Hometown Bicycles and Lake Trust Credit Union
Stop by the shop to show off your selfie and get a FREE tube!

What a HUGE (literally!) honor — THANK YOU, Lake Trust Credit Union!

Winter Tune-Up with a Bonus! FREE WINTER STORAGE!

Avoid the spring rush and waiting, waiting, waiting for your bike to be serviced when everyone else is doing the same — be the early bird who gets the proverbial worm. How?

Bring your bike in anytime between now and December 23rd for a tune-up and we will store it at the shop until spring! This means your bike will be all set to roll come those early days of cycling weather in March. No wait, no hassle… just freedom to get out there and ride.

We have room to store up to 220 bikes, so take advantage of this opportunity while space permits. For $25, we can even deliver your bicycle to your door this spring!

Gift Certificate Trade-Up!

We are so grateful to our Hometown community for supporting our shop during what has been a tough year. We’ve received an outpouring of encouragement and generosity to keep us Hometown Strong. People still ask what they can do to support the shop as we enter the off-season, and with the holidays coming up, we have the perfect answer to that question — gift certificates!

As you know, we like to give too. We are offering a Gift Certificate Trade-Up program this holiday season, through December 23rd.

Here’s how it works:
Buy a gift certificate…
Get an accessory certificate on us!

The accessory certificate is for 10% of the gift certificate you purchase. For example — you buy a $200 gift certificate and we give you a $20 certificate to use on accessories. The cyclist in your life is sure to love it!

From the Les Cook Chronicles: Iceman NO Cometh 2020

For those of us who trail ride and for anybody that does anything else for that matter, 2020 is messed up. When the outdoor events started to be canceled, you knew things were bad. But we held out HOPE for the Bells Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge 2020. After all, this is the oldest point-to-point Mountain Bike race in the country from Kalkaska to Traverse City and this would mark year 31. Our hopes were dashed when it was canceled because of the dreaded Covid-19.

Then the rumors began to stir our hearts with hope. We could still ride the course informally, and the Iceman No Cometh 2020 was born. So we planned our trip and it was a blast. They sent out an app with this year’s course that could be downloaded into a Garmin and you could ride at your leisure. Anyone who has ridden the Iceman knows that the year after the worst years is the best year to ride.

This year was no exception. It was 70 degrees, I wore my summer kit, the trail was perfect, and it was fast. A lot of people showed up starting from many different locations. It was never crowded but I’ll guess that between 500 and 600 people participated. My brother and I enjoyed the perfect weather and trail condition. My Jamis Portal performed flawlessly. For the first time, I was able to climb ALL the hills, regularly hit downhill speeds of 30 mph, and got through all the sandpits. The new piece of singletrack is a real hoot when you can ride it instead of march single file through the mud. Of course, this may have been because there weren’t 5000 other people in the way. I can’t wait until next year and hope all of you out there can come to enjoy one of the best weekends in mountain biking. — Les Cook

Brown Bag Lunch Series

The first-ever county-wide Livingston County Trails Plan was completed and released in late June 2020. Join in this virtual Brown Bag to learn about the various components of the plan. Following the presentation, local park providers and municipal leaders will discuss the desired trail implementation strategies of their park system or municipality.

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Time: 12:00-1:15 PM
Via Zoom with meeting number 399 700 0062 and password LCBOC

Congratulations to Running Lab! After 10 years in downtown Brighton, they are moving — but not far — just across the street!

Click HERE to check out the plans for their new store, opening in Spring 2021. Looks amazing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We wish you all a safe holiday filled with turkey, football, naps, family, and all good things. You may even get out there for a bike ride!

We will re-open on Black Friday, our usual hours of 10 AM-5 PM.

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, bicycle gifts, bicycle repair, bicycle shop, bicycle tune up, bicycles, bicycling, Hometown Bicycles, Iceman Cometh Challenge, Iceman No Cometh Challenge, Lake Trust Credit Union, Leslie Cook, Running Lab, Thanksgiving, Winter Bicycle Storage | Leave a comment »

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

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Shaun

(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.

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.

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

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?

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 Wyatt, Ron Szumski, Tom Hermann, Dennis Doherty, Doug Lapp, and Team Hometown Co-Captain and Mobile Rhythm Entertainment Sponsor Joe Ostervik.

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!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 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, Brighton, chili cook off, Custers Last Stand Against Human Trafficking, cycling, cyclists, Dennis Doherty, Detroit Free Press Marathon, DJ Joe Ostervik, Do It for Dan Memorial Ride, Doug Lapp, entrepreneurship event, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, freep, Great Bowls of Fire, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, Iceman Cometh Challenge, John Harrington, John Wyatt, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, LMB Awards 2019, marketing for entrepreneurs, Michigan, Mobile Rhythm Entertainment, Ron Szumski, Shaun and Dawn Bhajan, Shop of the Year, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tom Hermann | Leave a comment »

A Dream Brought to Life with the Help of Team Hometown

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Shaun

Jim Dominick at Hometown Bicycles
Jim Dominick has DREAMED of riding Iceman, but faces two distinct challenges – no car, and a history of epileptic seizures.

Jim commutes 20 miles a day, year-round, in every kind of weather, and chooses NOT to own a car. With that kind of dedication to the sport, Iceman Cometh Challenge seemed a natural fit, and so his manager introduced him to this famous, Michigan race.

With his last epileptic episode occurring December 6th, 2017, Jim decided that THIS would be his year, and reached out to the Iceman organization. His persistent communications caught the attention of kind-hearted Denine, and he was given a green light… and an entry!

Lacking transportation, the Iceman group appealed to a variety of organizations on Jim’s behalf until Steve Velopp, a Hometown Bicycles customer, recommended contacting our shop. We put it out to our Team and, within an hour, Team Hometown’s Mike Dyer and Jim Thompson rallied to the call. Real class act, guys!

We coordinated between shop and Team to bring Jim from East Point to the shop… and Mike and Jim T. shuttled him the rest of the way there. We can’t wait to hear what you think of your Iceman dream coming true, Jim. Thanks for making us a part of your adventure!

Good luck, Jim and Team Hometown Bicycles!!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: epilepsy, Hometown Bicycles, Iceman Cometh Challenge, Jim Dominick, Jim Thompson, mike dyer, Team Hometown Bicycles | Leave a comment »

TONIGHT’s Trainer Clinic, Meet Your 2019 Team Title Sponsor, & Rev Up Your Crockpots!

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Shaun

Welcome back to a great friend of Hometown & its Team!

For the 5th year running, Vinnie Baylerian, PT, DPT of Pro-Motion Physical Therapy has enthusiastically stepped into the role of top Team Sponsor for Team Hometown Bicycles 2019, and for the 5th year running, we’re thrilled and honored by his support!

Vinnie – an avid cyclist, regular clinician at Hometown, and all-around good guy – has aided MANY a Hometownie with his extensive background in orthopedic and sports-related injuries, manual therapy, vestibular/inner ear and balance disorders, and Level 2 Clinical BikeFit Pro Certification. He and his team of first-class physical therapy professionals are well-liked, well-known, and well-respected Community-wide.

You’ll learn more about Vinnie and Pro-Motion in upcoming newsletters. ‘Til then… Vinnie, thank you! Your support means so much.

A warm “hello!” to more of your 2019 Team Sponsors

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be proudly promoting a wonderful group of businesses that have also stepped up to support your 2019 Team, including:

• Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp

• Lowry Solutions

• William Horal DDS

• Michigan Financial Planning

These folks – in addition to several more, who you’ll be seeing shortly on our 2019 Sponsor roster – are the reason our Team is able to do all the amazing and downright awesome things it does. Sponsors, you are appreciated!

Team Sponsor spots are filling up fast! If you would like to be a part of something that will bring your business year-round value, please contact Dawn at:
office@myhometownbicycles.com

“Trainer Talk” Indoor Cycling Clinic TONIGHT!

Join Shaun from 7-8:30PM TONIGHT (11/1) or Saturday (11/3) 9:30-11AM!

If you’re unwilling to sink into couch-potatodom as the cold weather creeps in, this clinic is for you!

Get the bike guru scoop on trainer types, how to install them, and great workouts you can do on these keep-you-pedalin’ machines. You’ll have a chance to demo a variety of trainers, including the new Cycle-Ops H2 Direct Drive Smart Trainer (and YES, that’s as cool as it sounds!)

Interested in a trainer for a holiday gift for someone special (like, maybe yourself – *wink-wink-nudge-nudge*)? We will have a Christmas gift promo for all those who attend!

No fee to participate! If you can’t make tonight, sign up for Saturday 11/3 from 9:30-11AM!

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There are more FREE clinics coming up to cover all of your winter cycling interests:

11/8 Thursday Fat Bike Clinic from 7-8:30 PM: Fat Bikes 101
11/10 Saturday Fat Bike Clinic from 9:30-11 AM: Fat Bikes 101

11/15 Thursday Winter Gear Clinic from 7-8:30 PM: Winter Cycling Gear
11/17 Saturday Winter Gear Clinic from 9:30-11 AM: Winter Cycling Gear11/29 Thursday Nutrition Clinic from 7-8:30 PM: Winter Cycling Nutrition

Register in advance by clicking on the links above. We can’t wait to see you!

Women’s Night: Tuesday, December 4th, 6-8 PMThe Theme: Female Entrepreneurship!

Hometown gals! This evening came about because your Hometown CEO, Dawn, is hardcore into nurturing and encouraging female entrepreneurship. If you ride the same wave, bring your friends, daughters, mom, nieces, aunts… and enjoy an evening FREE OF CHARGE with LOCAL women business owners. These knowledgeable, engaging, and all-kinds-of-awesome women will share candid and valuable information on the why’s and werefore’s of starting and running a business, including the realities of work-life-family balance, the struggles of staying competitive in a changing market, the legalities of being your own boss… plus a Q&A to answer questions important to YOU!

Lisa Nelson (pictured right) of Hush Intimate Apparel, Colleen Fitzgerald(center) of Sk y Zone, and Kelly A. Myers (left) of Myers & Myers, PLLC will be three of our powerhouse guest speakers.

No cost to attend! Come learn with us! Register NOW!

Team News: GOOD LUCK AT ICEMAN THIS WEEKEND!!

It’s the race that has all of Michigan buzzing every October/November – Iceman Cometh and a whole slew of our Team goeth, including a few members of our Crew! Tear it up, Team!! Can’t wait to hear your Iceman stories at the Chili Cook-Off!

Three team members raced in autumn splendor at Fallasburg County Park’s Lowell 50 Classic Gravel Road Race this past weekend: Mike and Nancy Kessler and Jack Riddle, who placed 4th overall in the Fat Bike Class. This ride follows the banks of the Flat River, through rural Ionia County in a classic, old-world style race. Great job, Team!

Margaret Bigham and Sue Charleville, along with friend Sue Hansen… congratulations on the article feature on Bike Tour Vacations website!

“Three adult women, having grown a family and had successful careers, have come back to bicycling in a big way. They have created their own support group; they’re willing to share this knowledge with others; and they’re planning more great events on bikes. Way to go, ladies!” Read the full story here!

Great Bowls of Fire!! Better get cookin’!

Time to strut your stuff in crockpot mastery! We’re seeking chili cook-off competitors to help supply meet demand at this HIGHLY attended event!

On Saturday, November 10th, starting at 4pm, enter your best chili recipe to win one very special (and kinda gaudy, but that’s what makes it fabulous) trophy. Take home bragging rights for being the 2018 Hometown Bicycles “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Cook-Off WINNER! It’s a People’s Choice competition!

If you aren’t a chili-sorta-chef, then feel free to sign up to bring other grub! There’ll be a lotta hungry Hometownies who’ll appreciate the variety!

Throw your hat into the Chili Cook-Off ring by clicking HERE!

Join Team Hometown Bicycles!

2019 Team Night – Sunday, December 2nd, 5-8pm

Presented by Team Event Sponsor Lowry Solutions

Team Hometown Bicycles has been rocking the cycling world’s proverbial boat with 107 members leading over 170 shop rides, participating in over 70 cycling events across Michigan and beyond, and putting in over 500 hours of volunteer time within our local and cycling communities! We’re a blend of cycling styles, skill levels, recreational and racing riders… but we all love cycling and are devoted to sharing that passion!

Sound like your kind of group? Come out for our Taco Bar Team Night on Sunday, December 2nd, 5-8pm, to meet the Team, learn responsibilities and benefits of membership, applaud your new Team Sponsors, cheer on outstanding 2018 Team members, witness the unveiling of our brand new Team kit (discounted pre-ordering this night only!), and renew or sign up for our 2019 Team!

FREE EVENT: LET US KNOW YOU’LL BE THERE! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

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! Don’t miss one moment of fun! (Always confirm rides in advance on our Facebook events page. Rides, times, and locations may sometimes vary!)

Gravel Grinding 101 | Level: Novice & Up

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

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Sunday Gravel Grinder | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

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

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Fat Bike Friendly Ride | Level: Novice & Up

*** KICKING OFF 11/10 (THE WEEKEND AFTER ICEMAN)! ***
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 moreHatha Yoga | Thursdays at 10:45AM
$8 drop in per class – With Stacy Mulka  |  Click to learn moreZumba | 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

Whatever motivates you…