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! **

Merry Christmas, Hometownies!

~ Your Hometown Crew

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, Christmas countdown, Christmas hours, Christmas shopping, clinic series, cycling, cyclists, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, holidays, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown crew, Island Lake, last minute shopping, Merry Christmas, Michigan, presents, stocking stuffers, winter bike clinics | Leave a comment »

10 Reasons You’ll be Glad You Shopped at Hometown

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Shaun

A Hometown Holiday Heart-to-Heart

Someone asked me a simple question the other day about whether we’ll do our Christmas shopping online or at the stores, and it got me thinking. We’ve all done our fair share of online shopping – Shaun and I included. We live in the digital age after all.

But does this mean that the whole “Be Loyal, Buy Local” thing is just about keeping mom-and-pop shops afloat? Not really, although we do enjoy being able to pay our bills as much as the next person. The truth is that there is a place – and will always be a place – for brick and mortar, and it has everything to do with relationships and service. And in that arena, Hometown shines.

So, as you’re puzzling over what to buy Dad, Aunt Betty, or little Timmy this Christmas – and where it should come from – I invite you to chew on this…

The Top 10 Reasons You’ll be Glad You Shopped at Hometown Bicycles

We’re all about relationships. That means we invest the time and energy in getting you what you need, not what we need to move.

We’re an anti-snob operation. Whatever kind of cyclist you are or bike you ride, we will always treat you with respect and gratitude, because we appreciate that you chose to shop with US. No belittling. No showboating. No snobbery. Period.

We are 100% about bicycles. That means we have nothing else to do except be your number one resource for all things bike.

We create opportunities for you to use what you buy. Between shop rides, Team memberships, classes, and events, we make sure you get your money’s worth out of your purchase.

We are a family-run, family bike shop. We think families are cool. Kids aren’t inconveniences – they’re future cycling advocates. And when you’re a customer, you become our family, too.

This is our livelihood. You make it possible for us to make a career out of something we love, so we’re highly motivated to make your experience awesome.

We live here. We’re as likely to run into you at the grocery store as at the shop, which means we’ll always treat you ethically and respectfully… so we don’t have to hide behind the fruit bin when we spot you.

We give back to the Community you live and work in. It supports us, so we proudly return the favor.

We advocate for the sport you love. The success of cycling benefits us all, so your support of Hometown translates to a direct, positive impact on our ability to sponsor, volunteer, educate, and spread the love for cycling.

Your fellow shoppers said to!
Hometown’s Google Reviews
Hometown’s Facebook Reviews

When it comes right down to it, the internet can’t take you for a ride to learn how to shift on your new bike. We can. The Internet won’t pick you up if you get a flat at Island Lake. We will. The Internet won’t celebrate with you when you conquer your first century. We will. And the Internet could care less if you use what you buy. WE DO.

So, do we feel secure and superior in our brick-and-mortarness? Never, and that is why we work every day to be the type of place you not only love to shop, but are proud… no, make that EAGER to share with friends and family.

Thanks for being Hometownies, and for giving us the opportunity to make your holiday shopping experience something truly special,

Dawn Bhajan
CEO | Hometown Bicycles

CHRISTMAS ORDERS & HOURS

The final day to place ANY order, so that it arrives by Christmas, is

December 18th

CHRISTMAS HOURS:

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

We’ll reopen January 2nd, normal hours!

THIS SATURDAY: FAT BIKE FRIENDLY RIDE

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 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! **

HELP WANTED: PERSONAL ASSISTANT

HOMETOWN BICYCLES Part-time Personal Assistant needed. Must be highly organized, available week day mornings and afternoons, and excellent with children. Writing, design, and web skills a plus. If interested, pick up an application at the shop, and return it to Dawn.

Winter miles, summer smiles.

~ Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle ride, bicycle shop, bike ride, bike shop, Brighton, CEO, Christmas hours, Christmas shopping, Dawn Bhajan, digital age, Facebook reviews, fat bike friendly ride, fat bike ride, Google reviews, heart to heart, help wanted, holiday shopping, holidays, Hometown Bicycles, Island Lake, livingston county, no drop ride, online shopping, personal assistant, shop ride, top 10 list | Leave a comment »

Choose-Your-Own-Deal Bike Trainers + Novemberfest Highlights

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Shaun

‘Tis the Season to Ride Trainers

FA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LAA (you know you were singing it…)
Or, maybe we should have said… STOP!! Hammer time!

Whatever your musical bent, this awesome Hammer Direct Drive Trainer pre-order deal will get your legs singing with a winter workout to keep you on your A-game. Choose from 10% savings – OR – a FREE Trainer Kit with purchase (riser block, mat, and sweat guard – $140 value) – OR – a $200 trade in on your old trainer! Order goes out 11/20! Stop in for details, or, you know, to thank us for getting two songs stuck in your head (DUH-nuh-nuh-nuh–NUUHHH-nuh-nuh CAN’T TOUCH THIS!)

NOW THAT’S HOW TO DO A NOVEMBERFEST!

Bet you didn’t know that fat bikes and chili make a perfect partnership! Or maybe you do, if you came to last Saturday’s 2nd Annual Hometown Bicycles Novemberfest! It was bigger, fatter, and even more scrumptious than last year’s event.

We unveiled Hometown’s limited edition Beartrax full suspension fat bike to a highly appreciative crowd. Fat bike demos kept our fatties rollin’ all day. Over 35 riders joined us for our Novemberfest Fat Bike Friendly Ride through Island Lake. And the Chili Cook-off deliciously capped off the evening with warm, sweet, savory, and spicy entries from 15 Hometown crockpot masters. Our thanks to everyone who rallied to Shaun’s chili challenge, and congrats to John Nelson, whose sweet ‘n mild entry was emptied almost as soon as it hit the table!

Olga, goddess of desserts, your sweet addition to our event had us Hometownies swarming around the dessert counter! Thanks for the delicious wrap-up to a wonderful evening!

2018 Novemberfest plans are already in the works, and Shaun’s plotting out new recipe strategies to out-chili next year’s competition. You have a year to thwart his attempts, Hometownies, so perfect those chili recipes now!!

MARK IT IN YOUR CALENDARS! TEAM NIGHT DEC. 3RD

December 3rd marks our 2018 Team Night event, where you’ll learn all about Team benefits and expectations, get your questions answered, sign (or re-sign) up for the Team if you’re ready to commit, get Team kit pre-order discounts, and crunch on tacos and sip beer from our mucho gusto Hometown taco bar, all in Your Happy Place! Our 2017 Team is currently 57 strong – LET’S MAKE IT GROW!! Bring friends, family, and anyone you think would make an awesome addition to our 2018 Team!!
SIGN UP NOW TO ATTEND 2018 TEAM NIGHT!
No cost to attend. Desserts welcome but not required!

If the big guy himself shops holidays at Hometown… we’re just sayin’…

I came, I saw, I conquered.

– Julius Caesar

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle ride, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike ride, bike shop, bike trainers, bikes, chili cook off, direct drive trainer, fat bike, financing, Framed Beartrax, full suspension fat bike, hammer time, Hammer trainer, happy place, Hometown Bicycles, Island Lake, John Nelson, Novemberfest, Olga Negrut, Santa sighting, shop ride, Synchrony Financial, taco bar, Team Hometown Bicycles, Team Night, trainers, winter workout | Leave a comment »

Brighton Bike Care, Tri Training, and the Future of Cycling

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Shaun

(Top image of Brighton’s up-and-coming mountain bike racers, courtesy Cycling Coach TJ Tyrrell)

THE BEST OF CYCLING, DETERMINATION, AND HEART… ALL IN ONE ROOM!
Earlier this week found our front lawn snowed in under a blanket of Brighton Bulldog bicycles… what a beautiful sight!

After a quick warm up through Island Lake, this local high school cycling team pit stopped at Hometown Bicycles for a lesson in the finer points of preventative bike care and emergency maintenance. Then it was off to the woods for another round of race prep.

Best of luck in your 2017 race season, Bulldogs! It was a privilege to be a part of your upcoming success.

NEXT WEEK: “HOW TO TRAIN FOR A TRIATHLON” CLINIC

Should I work with a coach? How do I get the most out of bricks? How do I train physically and mentally for a sport that involves swim, bike, AND run? What are “junk miles”, and how do I avoid them? What should my taper look like?

If a triathlon is in your future, these pondering points are just the tip of the triathlon iceberg in terms of prepping for your next (or first!) race. Expert triathlete, IRONMAN Coach, 5-time Kona Qualifier, Registered Dietician, and Hometownie, Amy Gluck, will be covering everything from picking a triathlon to post-tri training analysis in Hometown’s “How to Train for a Triathlon” Clinic.

Held right here in our Community Room, there is NO CHARGE to attend. Choose from two dates: Tuesday (6/6) or Thursday (6/8) at 6pm!
REGISTER NOW FOR “HOW TO TRAIN FOR A TRIATHLON”

(The latest artistic genius of cyclist and artist, Peggy Kerwan, here at Hometown Bicycles.)

MISS PEGGY’S BEAUTIFUL BIKE ART

She’s a die-hard cyclist, master of the monotype print, a painter of some renown, a vibrant personality, and her bicycle artwork is on display (and for sale!) here at the shop.

If you haven’t seen Peggy Kerwan’s pieces for yourself, than you’re in for a treat the next time you stop in! She’s introduced some cheery new additions to her already colorful collection, including a brand new original titled “Best Bike”.

Well, Peggy, we think you’re one of the “best bike” artists we’ve ever met. (Okay, okay… stop groaning at my corny wordsmithery, and come in to enjoy her artistry!)

THIS SATURDAY: MILFORD BIKE FESTIVAL

Hot on the heels of the MCMBA Demo Day, Hometown’s hitched it’s sponsorship buggy to MCMBA’s Milford Bike Festival & Trail Challenge!

This June 3rd event gives you a day of family-friendly trail/path riding, guided rides (new this year!), live music, food, raffles, and beer. It’s only $20 pre-registered or $25 day-of, with all proceeds benefitting the MCMBA, which VERY actively preserves, protects, and promotes our local parks and mountain bike trails. That’s a worthwhile cause we’re proud to support!

CLICK for details or to register now!

COME SEE SHAUN SWING A GOLF CLUB

Hard to imagine your aproned, be-tooled bike guru in knickers and argyle, isn’t it? I’m just kidding… I couldn’t convince Shaun to dress in traditional golf attire, but he’s still going to be wielding clubs on the green at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Inaugural Charity Golf Classic on June 9th at Stony Creek Metropark.

We’re sponsoring this fundraising event, which will be hosted by Michigan State National Champions, Detroit Pistons Standout and Current Pistons Commentator, Greg Kelser.

Random? Perhaps, but a well-rounded bike guru is a more resourceful bike guru, and that ultimately benefits you, so let’s see what happens! Join us on the green!

SECURING THE FUTURE OF CYCLING

It may seem like a rather bold statement – “securing the future of cycling” – but that’s exactly what you will be doing when you participate in this year’s Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day event on Sunday, June 11th!

Run by the Poto Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association, this local fun day partners adults with kids for a day of singletrack skill building and learning to love cycling! Hometown will be there with an on-site mechanic and cool swag, and will offer helmet checks and SAG support for all participants.

Do something healthy with your kids! Have an adventure! Share your love of the sport! This is the kind of event that builds memories and a legacy. Click HERE for more details.

EMERGENCY REPAIR & FLAT TIRE FIX SUMMER CLINICS

For all of you cyclists who want to know WHAT TO DO when something goes haywire on your ride – your chain drops, your shifters stop working, your wheel “tacos”, your tire blows… – Hometown is throwing you a lifeline for avoiding that long walk home.

We’re breathing new life into some beloved classics – our “Emergency Bike Repair” Clinic and “Flat Tire Fix” Clinic. Primed for your immediate benefit, the first addresses quick, on-the-go fixes that can get you safely back home, and the second touches on one of the most common issues cyclists face – the dreaded flat.

These clinics will run Tuesday 6/13 (Emergency Repair) and Thursday 6/15 (Flat Tire Fix), then swap days on Tuesday 6/27 (Flat Tire Fix) and Thursday 6/29 (Emergency Repair). As always, there is NO CHARGE for these HANDS-ON CLINICS.
Register for EMERGENCY BIKE REPAIR and/or FLAT TIRE FIX.

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL RIDE (6/1)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us as we explore our local park roads, paved paths and sometimes – a bakery! All bikes welcome. Expect to average 10 mph for 1.5+ hours as we cover 13 – 18 miles. NO DROP RIDE.

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (6/4)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Beginner friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. Expect to venture out past Island Lake throughout the season to Brighton’s Murray Lake, Milford, Maybury, and Waterloo’s DTE Trail. If Poto is your goal, this is the weekly ride to get you there by the end of the season! Save 1.5 hours of your day to cover 12 – 16 miles of trail with the Hometown crew. NO DROP RIDE.

MONDAY BEGINNER ROAD RIDE (6/5)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Come grow with the weekly ride as we start with 10 – 15 miles and end the season conquering 30 miles! 1 – 1.5 hours to start. Route will take us onto the park roads. Road bikes recommended. All level riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE.

TUESDAY GRAVEL GRINDING 101 WITH ‘CYCLODAN’ TRIBBLE (6/6)
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Join Hometown service guru, Dan ‘CycloDan’ Tribble, for this unique, gravel grinding adventure ride. We’ll tackle road, singletrack, and gravel, including portions of Island Lake, hopping a guardrail, sand “puddles”, and a few hills just for fun! Plan initially for just over an hour, covering 13+ miles at a 12 – 13 mph average pace, with the intention to lengthen the distance as sunset grows later. Gravel, adventure, or mountain/fat bikes required (not appropriate for skinny tires). All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE.
WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST / SON OF HAMMERFEST (6/7)
This is a DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
**New Addition! Meet “Son of Hammerfest” for those that would like to build up to the original Hammerfest.**
SON OF HAMMERFEST:
Rolling at 6:30 from Hometown Bicycles. This will include 25 miles (1 lap of ILRA & the Kensington Loop). Average pace targeted at 17 – 18 mph, with flats of 20+ mph.
HAMMERFEST:
Bring your “A” game, and see if you can stay on this crazy train of talented individuals as they push each other to find new limits. You’ll want the fastest road bike you own, as the pace averages 20 mph through 2 laps (40 miles) of the roads of Island Lake. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph!

THURSDAY MORNING SOCIAL RIDE (6/8)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us as we explore our local park roads, paved paths and sometimes – a bakery! All bikes welcome. Expect to average 10 mph for 1.5+ hours as we cover 13 – 18 miles. NO DROP RIDE.

For ALL SHOP RIDES, be sure to FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK for ride confirmations and updates!

When I was a kid, my social network was called “OUTSIDE”.

– Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Amy Gluck, beautiful bike art, best bike, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike care, bike clinic, bike guru, bike maintenance, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, brighton bulldogs, Brighton High School, charity golf classic, cycling, cycling team, cyclists, Dan Tribble, emergency bike repair, flat tire fix, golfing, gravel grinder, Greg Kelser, group rides, Hammerfest, Hometown Bicycles, how to train for a triathlon, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, IMBA, Island Lake, kids, MCMBA, Michigan, Michigan Mountain Biking Association, Milford Bike Festival and Trail Challenge, Miss Peggy, mountain biking, no drop ride, Peggy Kerwan, PotoMBA, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Son of Hammerfest, Stony Creek Metropark, Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Team Hometown Bicycles, triathlon clinic | Leave a comment »

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