John Wyatt | Hometown Bicycles

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 »

Votes are in! We’re Metro Detroit’s #1 Bike Shop!

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Shaun

FIRST PLACE FEELS AWESOME!!! The 2019 Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best contest ran from mid-June through mid-July, giving members of the Greater Detroit area the ability to nominate and cast votes for their favorite businesses in a variety of categories. Winners were announced the week of July 22-26th and the public has indeed spoken! HOMETOWN BICYCLES WON BEST BIKE SHOP!

We are humbled and proud to be your #1 bicycle shop, out of so many in the running, and can’t thank you enough for your support and votes!

If you haven’t yet visited our shop, make sure to stop in. Say hi, join us on a shop ride, bring your bike in for service, check out our crazy fun bike-related items in the gifts and novelties area, or attend one of our upcoming classes or events!

Speaking of classes, guess what? Our Events Coordinator and in-shop Zumba instructor, Leslie Barrett, took second place in the Zumba Fitness category! This is a pretty big honor for her as an independent instructor not affiliated with a studio or gym — she was up against some pretty big competition. Congratulations, Leslie!

Thank you Hometownies for making us #1 — now get those voting fingers ready for next year!

Meet Paul Wrona – the newest member of our Hometown crew!

Tell us about your new role at Hometown. What are some of your goals for the shop?
My new role is Service Lead. My mission is to make things smoother-easier-faster for the service techs and, at the same time, provide better, more consistent customer experiences. The service team does a fantastic job with diagnosing and solving problems. I want that to come through even more to the customers, so they can appreciate how knowledgeable and awesome the guys really are!

How long have you been part of Team Hometown Bicycles, our cycling team? What’s your favorite part of being on the Team?
I am a new member this year. The best part is the camaraderie of the group rides. I’ve met so many great people this year. My addiction to cycling started 4 years ago when I moved to Brighton and rode the Murray Lake Trail for the first time. Life hasn’t been the same since.

Favorite ride or race in Michigan?
I have not participated in a race… yet. My favorite ride so far was the Tour deTroit. I’m from there originally so it was nice to go back and ride some of the old neighborhoods. Looking forward to the gravel route of the Tour de Livingston this fall!

Tell us something random about you, that we wouldn’t know otherwise.
I’m a SciFi and Space geek – Everything from the Apollo program to SpaceX and Phillip K Dick to Neal Stephenson

Coffee drinker? How do you take your coffee?
Um… I can’t stand coffee. Is that allowed?

Baylerian’s Bagels, Bikes & Brew:
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical TherapySunday, 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.

This will be a 16-mile mixed road and gravel ride. 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. Check out the route!

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

Express your interest HERE!

Shaun advocates for the Livingston County Transit Master Plan!

Team Hometown member, Neal Glazebrook, Vice Chair of the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, invited our very own Shaun Bhajan to speak at this past Monday’s Livingston County Board of Commissioners Meeting.

The Coalition is seeking full implementation of the Livingston County Transit Master Plan. Read it HERE!

“Without the full plan in place, the transit system, including connector trails and bike paths, will likely never come to fruition,” states Neal. “I am helping represent the biking component and other leaders represent segments such as seniors, veterans, and the disabled. There is positive momentum in the county right now and we need to continue to push forward.”

Shaun did a beautiful job presenting to the Board of Commissioners. His comments really struck home with the people there, and a few attendees thanked him for his insightful addition to the pro-Transit Master Plan conversation. You go, Shaun!

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

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 fitness 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!

Meet our first guest speaker, 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!

Yoga, weight training, mountain biking, and long distance running are a few of Jenny’s favorite activities. She never lets her workouts get boring. “I train myself using many different modes. This is reflected in the way I design workouts for my clients.”

“I am truly blessed to have a job where I help people realize their potential.” states Jenny.

We are super thrilled to have Jenny on our panel of experts for this event! Stay tuned next week for the reveal of our next guest speaker.

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!

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.

Intro to Mountain Biking
Wednesday, August 7 from 6-8 PM
Spring Mill Pond, Island Lake Recreation Area

Calling all beginners! Looking for a new biking experience that goes beyond paved paths? Join the park Explorer Guide, Becca, and Team Hometown Bicycles to gain the basics of this exciting recreation activity! FREE event! Come prepared with helmet, closed-toed shoes, and your own bike. Ages 12 and up. All children under 18 must have an adult present.

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.

In Team Hometown News…

There was an excellent showing by Team Hometown at the 14th Annual Tree Farm Relay on Saturday, July 27th!

Left to right: Congrats to Olga Brinduse, John Wyatt, Doug Queener and Joe Ostervik for their podium finish in Coed Sport!

Sponsored by the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA), Tree Farm Relay is a unique 4-person team relay race. The course features lots of hills and passing zones — mega fun!

It’s a perfect race for the beginner looking to see what team/endurance racing is all about and for experienced racers looking to test their skills against rival teams.

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

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Baylerians Bagels Bikes and Brews, best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, best bike shop, bicycle clinics, bicycle rentals, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike rentals, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Body Within Personal Training, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, DJ Joe Ostervik, Doug Queener, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, Intro to Mountain Biking, Island Lake Recreation Area, Jenny Schild, John Wyatt, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Livingston County Transit Master Plan, Lyndsay Stiles, Martha Soraruf, MCMBA, Michigan, Monkey Loob, Neal Glazebrook, Olga Brinduse, Paul Wrona, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tree Farm Relay, Tresa O’Rourke, Vinnie Baylerian, Walk to End Alzheimers, women entrepreneurship, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Hometown on Parade and a 42-Bike Salute

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Shaun

PROOF POSITIVE THAT OPTIMISM REALLY DOES PAY OFF…
We were POSITIVE that we could help the Brighton Optimist Club top last year’s participation numbers in their annual Fourth of July Bike Decorating Contest & Parade Ride, and boy did we ever!! Nearly 50 participants packed the roadway in this year’s parade, up from a little over 10 last year!

Brighton Optimist Club, by the way, has been dedicated to “Bringing out the best in children” since 1977. We are honored that they chose Hometown to help make this the best year ever – thank you, Brighton Optimists!! And thanks to ALL of you who came out in support of their worthy mission – Shaun and I loved riding with you, and can’t wait to do it again next year!!

(To point out a few highlights: You probably already recognize the fuzzy guy and his family in the upper left; directly below left is Brighton Optimist Club President Gary London, who’s had faith in Hometown since Day One!; in the middle is Kurt and his beautiful family, who had such a great time that they’re already planning for next year!; and bottom right is Hometown’s own Amy Gluck and Team rider Joe Van Gorden leading up the bicycles with the Brighton Optimist Club banner!

(A few of the fabulous folks at Lake Trust Credit Union who participated in their corporate Build-A-Bike charity program. Shaun and I are at bottom right, geeking out over sitting beside President & CEO David Snodgrass, who’s incidentally no stranger to cycling! Photo cred: © Lake Trust Credit Union)

A 42-KIDS-BIKE BUILD-A-THON WITH LAKE TRUST

When we find fellow businesses whose values align with our own, it’s a thrill and joy to forge partnerships that span industries and grow year by year. We’ve enjoyed that sort of relationship with Lake Trust Credit Union – a company founded on community-centeredness – first as customers, then as partners in charity.

Lake Trust recently tapped on Hometown for a commendable corporate Build-a-Bike program. With Hometown’s help, their team built up 42 Jamis kids bikes, which were then donated to 16 amazing organizations, including LACASA, Make A Wish Foundation of MI and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston. You can read the full account on their blog HERE.

If you would also like to involve Hometown Bicycles in your next Corporate project or wellness program, please contact me (Dawn) at office@myhometownbicycles.com. We love making new friends!

TEAM NEWS: In the thick of summer cycling…

Our Team has been busy, busy, busy with rides and races across the State! Above, you’re seeing Team rockstar, Ellen Geddie, who road 46 miles of Blue Water Ramble in the rain!!

Jim Cleer and John Wyatt got down to business at the MSU Gran Fondo, which is known as 80 miles of “rolling party”, with music, food, and brews along the way!

Team bike goddesses, Amy Daybird, Sarah Dudley-Short, and Deanna Swan made a powerhouse trio at the 10th Anniversary Tri Goddess Tri, the first ever all-women’s triathlon/duathlon.

And 12 Team riders hit the trails at the Island Lake Challenge Mountain Bike Race – a Yellow Loop fiesta of dirt track and determination. Shout out to Brad Allen, Leslie Cook, Cammie Coffey, Keith Cowger, Mike Dyer, Jay Mings, Kasandra Noel, Brien TerBush, Jim Thompson, Link Wehrly, Steve Wortley and Kevin Machuga. Brad killed it with a 1st in Open Sport Fat Bike, and Keith dominated with a 1st in his age division for Sport!

VISIT HOMETOWN AT A TASTE OF BRIGHTON!

This year, Hometown’s headed downtown July 13th & 14th (with July Jubilee on the 15th!) for the annual A Taste of Brighton affair, where we’ll give festival-goers a flavor of what makes our shop and our sport so darn special! Shaun will be on stage running several Bike Care 101 and Flat Tire Fix clinics throughout the event, and our tent will be crankin’, with our Service Crew demo-ing what we’re famous for – the best bike repair in Southeast Michigan! Add this event to your family calendar, and be sure to stop by and say “hi!”

SAVE THE DATE: HOMETOWN JULY JUBILEE (7/15)

Last year, we introduced the Hometown Bicycles Annual July Jubilee & Salewith a “huzzah!” heard ‘round the world! Now this year’s July 15th Jubilee takes the fun had last year, and exponentially multiplies it for an utterly epic, carnival-style, super-event that your whole family will love!!

— JULY JUBILEE EVENT & SALE – Sunday, July 15 from 1-5pm —

Food & YUMMMMMMMMMM Cotton Candy!!
Hydration courtesy Team Sponsor Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply!Face Painting
Artistic talent provided by Alison Peasley!Games & Prizes
Including water balloon tournaments on the front lawn, tire toss, tricycle tug-of war, andcrazy cool lawn games, courtesy of Team Sponsor Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp!Family Classes & Demos
Including Zumba-Cardio Drumming Fusion with Leslie Barrett and Martha Soraruf, Acro Yoga with Yoga Nature, Flow Yoga with Michelle Klinger, and Belly Dancing with One Spirit Dance & Fitness of Pinckney (all PG and kid-friendly!)Tour de Livingston Tent
Learn about Hometown’s favorite local charity ride from creators, Howell Rotary andLivingston County United Way!*** MEGA SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE on accessories – from bags to bells to saddles to tools – to make way for new product lines that you’re going to LOVE!! ***

———— JULY JUBILEE RIDE – Sunday, July 15 at 3:30pm ————-

Join our Team and Crew on a MASSIVE, July Jubilee Ride, for riders of all types, ages, and skill levels. We leave from the shop at 3:30pm for a leisurely spin around Island Lake. Make friends, have fun, and be back just in time for our…

— RED, WHITE, & BLUES CONCERT – Sunday, July 15, 5-8pm —

This ‘funk’y fundraising concert rounds out our July Jubilee celebration with the bluesy rock and roll of Hometown’s long time service tech and purveyor of extraordinary bike knowledge, Dan “CycloDan” Tribble, and his PBR Band.Enjoy outstanding music, dancing, snacks (BYOB), and socializing… all while directly supporting your fellow cyclist and Hometownie, Dan Rosenhack, and his amazing family. Dan’s diagnosis of terminal brain cancer has resulted in costly medical and living expenses, and this concert is geared to help relieve the financial strain on his family. Half of your $10 cover charge helps pay for the band, and half will be gifted to Dan Rosenhack’s family.

It’s laid back, funky fun that will wow your ears and tickle your tastebuds, all while supporting a deeply meaningful cause.Please let us know you’re coming, so we can plan for enough refreshments!

KIDS SELF DEFENSE CLASS AT HOMETOWN

JULY 26, 7-8PM: If someone wants to hurt our children, they won’t choose a time or a place with witnesses. The safety of our children will depend on their ability to recognize a threat and respond effectively.

Hometown is thrilled to welcome back Ian Kinder of Live Safe Academy for a fun, interactive and age-appropriate workshop that teaches essential, lifesaving information about threats, strategies for prevention, and real world techniques.

Coed, for ages 6-12. Class fee is $25. REGISTER NOW!

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES FOR HOMETOWN!

** The Best Bike Shop section on Livingston Daily’s survey is question number 53!
** In Vote4theBest, you can go directly to Hometown’s voting page: CLICK HERE!

UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

Saturday Road Ride

SATURDAY, JULY 7 | 11:00AM (MEET BY 10:45AM) | FROM HOMETOWN BICYCLES
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Sunday Hartland Gravel Grinder

SUNDAY, JULY 8 | 9:00AM (MEET BY 8:45AM) | FROM HARTLAND TWP HALL
Come enjoy beautiful, HILLY country roads and wonderful ride company. Expect several TOUGH, LONG CLIMBS, at an average 14 – 15 MPH pace for all 28.2 miles. The group may split into 2, with the front pack averaging > 15 mph. (Check out Dan’s Gravel Grinding 101 ride for a less grueling option.) Cross/Gravel, Mountain and Fat bikes are welcome. Meet in the Hartland Twp. Hall lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) at 2655 Clark Rd. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Sunday Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride

SUNDAY, JULY 8 | 4:30PM (MEET BY 4:15PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Join your Hometown Crew for our beginner-friendly mountain bike trail ride, which encourages riders to explore new trails as their skill level increases. This week, we’ll enjoy 9 – 15 miles of Island Lake single track over the course of 1.5 hours. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. Riders under 15 must remain with their guardian throughout the ride. Be mindful that the trail has several hills and some minimum level of fitness will be helpful to make for a positive experience. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Monday Beginner-Friendly Road Ride

MONDAY, JULY 9 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Ladies’ Road Ride

TUESDAY, JULY 10 | 6:45PM (MEET BY 6:30PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, this one’s just for you! This weekly, road ride is for gals of all ability levels. We’ll ride the well-known “green dumpster” loop at Island Lake (~14 miles) at a conversational, 10mph pace. All bikes welcome, NO DROP RIDE. Afterward, relax, connect, and rehydrate with your new biking friends. BYOB!Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Advanced Skills & Drills

TUESDAY, JULY 10 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Want to learn to ride with a peloton? This ADVANCED, road warrior training is led by our Team racers! You’ll learn and practice: draft lines, hill repeats and intervals. Come ready to work hard. Bring a cadence sensor, speed sensor, and heart rate monitor. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Gravel Grinding 101

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 | 5:45PM (MEET BY 5:30PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ride with your Hometown bike guru, CycloDan Tribble! Front and rear light required, as we end at dusk. This ride weaves through and around Island Lake, covering 13+ miles of pavement, dirt trails and gravel roads (a few hills just for fun!) at an average 12-13 mph. Expect a “puddle” or two of sand and a few face slappers on the trails this time of year. Nothing our gravel, adventure or mountain/fat bikes can’t easily handle. Skinny tire bikes will NOT work for this ride. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Slow Roll Social Ride

THURSDAY, JULY 12 | 10:00AM (MEET BY 9:45AM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This ride is all about making friends! This conversational, morning ride will find us exploring Island Lake’s beautiful park roads. The plan this week is to ride 1-1.5 hours at a 10 mph average pace. Ride whatever bike will work for the pace and your desired exercise level. This is a NO DROP ride. We might just stop for coffee and donuts along the way! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Ladies Only Beginner Mountain Bike Ride

THURSDAY, JULY 12 | 6:15PM (MEET BY 6:00PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, come learn beginning mountain bike skills! We’ll tackle the trails in manageable bites, with the empowering support of skilled and supportive Hometown women. We’ll ride together to Island Lake Recreation Area, and focus on taking the fear and uncertainty out of riding the trails! NO DROP. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Friday Night Lights
FRIDAY, JULY 13 | 9:00PM (MEET BY 8:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
It’s a different world out there when you’re riding by bike light! We’ll ride the Island Lake trails at an INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED pace. Make sure your lights are fully charged! Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. NOT a beginner ride. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

CLICK HERE for our 2018 Spring/Summer Daily Shop Rides Schedule!

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Many of you are familiar with the rockin’ beats and great cardio that take place weekly on our showroom floor. But for those who haven’t yet experienced fitness classes at Hometown, or simply want a high-energy pick-me-up, here are a few classes you’ll absolutely want to try!CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
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

The best thing about memories is making them.

~ Love from Shaun, Dawn, and the family

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Amy Daybird, best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, bicycle clinics, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston, bike clinics, bike decorating contest, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Blue Water Ramble, Brad Allen, Brien Terbush, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Build-a-Bike, Cammie Coffey, Cardio Drumming, charity concert, cycling, cyclists, Dan Tribble, David Snodgrass, Dawn Bhajan, Deanna Swan, Ellen Geddie, fitness classes, Fourth of July parade, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, Island Lake Challenge MTB Race, Jamis Bikes, Jay Mings, Jim Cleer, Jim Thompson, John Wyatt, July Jubilee, Kasandra Noel, Keith Cowger, Kevin Machuga, LACASA, Lake Trust Credit Union, Leslie Barrett, Leslie Cook, Link Wehrly, livingston county, Livingston Daily People's Choice, Make-A-Wish Michigan, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, mike dyer, mountain bike race, MSU Gran Fondo, PBR Band, Sarah Dudley-Short, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Steve Wortley, Taste of Brighton, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tri Goddess Tri, Vote4theBest, zumba | Leave a comment »

Your Hometown Bicycles Service Guide

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Shaun

(Hometown Bicycles Service Manager, Matt Fitzhorn)

THE WHY’S AND WHEREFORE’S OF WHAT WE DO SO WELL
I’ve been promising our new, superstar Service Manager, Matt Fitzhorn, that I would devote an email to service. And with service bikes now arriving hourly – and sometimes even minute by minute! – it seems fitting to give the department we’re most famous for a little podium time. (So, this one’s for you, Matt!)

EVERYONE knows that the Hometown Tune-Up is a thing of beauty. You know it. The community knows it. The cat down the street knows it.

But do you know WHY?

(Hometown Bicycles Service Tech, Joe Shafer, and Service Lead, Andrew Jackson)

Did you know that we founded our company on service, making service our area to excel? It’s true! Hometown 2010 began as a pint-sized service shop, well before adding all the bells and bikes. We’ve held true to that core ever since, serving an increasing number of cyclists over the years – 2,854 bikes serviced in 2017 and over 17,000 since opening! – with the mission of making each bike “Work Great, Look Great & Blow Your MIND!”

(Hometown Bicycles Service Tech, David Keller)

It’s important to us that our value always exceeds our price. I’ll break this down further in “Hometown Bicycles Tune-Up: The Real McCoy” below, but suffice it to say, we respect your hard-earned dollars by working hard to make those dollars work hard for you (say THAT 10 times fast)! Plus, our turn-around time is FAST to get you back in the saddle where you belong!

Because we don’t want to have to hide when we see you coming – we live here, too! – we get our kicks by doing right by our customers. When we say you need something, it’s because we know it will give you the longest and best cycling experience possible. And when we say you DON’T need something, it’s because we don’t want to gain a dollar at the expense of your trust. You can rest easy, knowing that we’ll tell it like it is, and always treat you fairly and squarely.

And we don’t leave you hangin’! We legitimately want to know that our service did the trick, and kept you rolling. That’s why you can always expect follow up from our Crew. (At right: Hometown Bicycles Service Tech, Matt Persha)

You probably also know by now that we LIKE being a resource! Ask us your questions, build your own bike, watch our Crew in action. The way we figure it, the more passionate you are about cycling, the more you’ll advocate for the sport, and that benefits ALL of us in the long run.

(Hometown Service Guru & lead singer Dan Tribble and “I-mean-business” Service Lead Mason Verbison)

Plus, what bike shop has a rhythm & blues rockstar for a service tech? That would be us!

We also have a unique way of motivating our staff… no, not giant mallets. It’s giving our crew the green light to do good, important, life-changing work in an environment that supports them and the sport they love. We may not always be perfect but, as a Crew, we’ve got your back.

This may be a good place to interject that *ahem* we’re hiring!

And that, my friends, is our service in a nutshell, and why you feel so darn good when you bring your bikes to Hometown Bicycles. Come on down, and try us out!

HOMETOWN BICYCLES TUNE-UP: “THE REAL MCCOY”

If you’re not familiar with our tune-ups, here’s the run-down of what makes ours so special…

Remember how we talked about our 3 service goals – to make your bicycle “Work Great, Look Great & Blow Your MIND!”? Well, to achieve that we have a 3-step process:

Evaluate your bike to see what it needs, whether that be a tune-up or repair.
For a tune-up, we disassemble, clean, reassemble, run all new cables and housings, and then dial and adjust your bike. If it’s a road bike, we also include new handlebar tape… because old bar tape is disgusting. (We’re talking, Bacteria City.)
Charge a fair price. For most bikes, that’s $69.99. For Road bikes, it’s $89.99. And for Tri bikes, it’s $99.99. We know we offer the best service for the best value. Don’t believe us? Check around!

Bonus Hometown Bicycles Tune-Up FAQ’s:

Q: Why do you replace cables & housing?
A: Your shifters and brake levers tell the derailleurs and brakes what to do via the cables, which act as messengers. 90% of issues stem from a faulty messenger, so we replace cables/housing to guarantee that the bike will work the way you expect it to.

Q: My bike is fairly new, so do I even need new cables/housing?
A: That’s why we always start with an initial assessment of the bike’s condition. If your bike doesn’t need new cables, then you probably don’t need a tune-up. We’ll just address your bike’s specific issues, and get you back out riding – typically the same day!

Q: How often should I bring my bike in for a check-up?
A: We recommend you bring your bike in for an assessment two times a year – once at the beginning of the season to set you up for cycling and make sure all parts are in working order, and again mid-season to check on the wear of your bike’s parts.

Q: How often should I get a tune-up?
A: Always bring your bike in when your bike begins affecting your riding experience. We’ll do an assessment to help you determine the best course of action from there.

Q: How often should I ride my bike?
A: Every day, Hometownies… every day!

TEAM NEWS: DAWN FARM, YANKEE SPRINGS TIME TRIAL

Our Team mixed it up last weekend, with a combination of need-for-speed riding and charitable cycling. Saturday morning kicked off with the trail-bound Team of Erik Frazier, Linc Wehrly, John Wyatt, Keith Cowgar and Scott Simpson at Yankee Springs Time Trial. Keith and Scott both bounded into 4th in their respective age groups.

Then Sunday dawned bright and beautiful on the farm, as Joe Ostervik, Jacob Henriksen, Joe Van Gorden, and Jim Cleer set out to support the long-term recovery of addicts and alcoholics on the Dawn Farm Recovery Ride. Nice work, Team!

ANSWERS TO THE HOMETOWN BIRTHDAY QUIZ

A couple weekends ago, as part of Hometown Bicycle’s 8th Birthday celebration, we invited our guests to take part in a “How Well Do You Know Your Bike Shop?” birthday quiz.

Debra Verbison won the accompanying Tune-Up Gift Certificate drawing (congrats again, Debra!), but there’s been so many post-event requests for the answers that I’m including them here today!

(Also, congrats went to John Kline for winning the “Guess How Many Ferrules” game with his guess of 2,650. The actual number was 2,700!)

1)  Answer (d) – Over 17,000
2)  Answer (b) – Shaun & Dawn got married
3)  Answer (d) – All of the above
4)  Answer (c) – Trinidad & Tobago

5)  Answer (f) – All of these
6)  Answer (d) – All of these
7)  Answer (a) – Jamis
8)  Answer (c) – Roller rink

WE’RE HIRING – STOP IN AND APPLY!
Creating the magic of Hometown is no small thing, and we don’t hire lightly, but we do offer positions that are meaningful and make a real difference in the lives of customers, our community, and the cycling industry. We currently have openings for:

Part-Time Social Media Specialist
Helps market and share the Hometown culture on social media. Must be social media savvy, highly organized, an excellent writer, and skilled in photography. Graphic design skills a plus.

Part-Time Events Coordinator
Coordinates and manages on- and off-premises shop events of all types. Must be highly organized, creative, detail-oriented, an excellent communicator, sociable, and enthusiastic.

Full- and Part-Time Service Techs
Provides reliably outstanding technical bike service. Some technical knowledge preferred. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, focused, and a quick learner.

Full- and Part-Time Sales Associates
Provides reliably outstanding customer service, including sales, cashiering, and shop organization and cleanliness. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, sociable, enthusiastic, and a quick study.

Drop by our shop, introduce yourself, and pick up an application. You’ll never know unless you try!

THIS WEEK’S SHOP RIDES

Hartland Gravel Grinder – Intermediate/Advanced

SUNDAY, MAY 6 | 9:00AM (MEET BY 8:45AM) | FROM HARTLAND TWP HALL
Come enjoy beautiful, HILLY country roads and wonderful ride company. Expect several TOUGH, LONG CLIMBS, at an average 14 – 15 MPH pace for all 28.2 miles. The group may split into 2, with the front pack averaging > 15 mph. (Check out Dan’s Gravel Grinding 101 ride for a less grueling option.) Cross/Gravel, Mountain and Fat bikes are welcome. Meet in the Hartland Twp. Hall lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) at 2655 Clark Rd. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

***Rent a Fat Bike at the shop!***

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Beginner Friendly Road Ride
MONDAY, MAY 7 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Ladies’ Road Ride
TUESDAY, MAY 8 | 7:00PM (MEET BY 6:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, this one’s just for you! This weekly, road ride is for gals of all ability levels. We’ll ride the well-known “green dumpster” loop at Island Lake (~14 miles) at a conversational, 10mph pace. All bikes welcome, NO DROP RIDE. Afterward, relax, connect, and rehydrate with your new biking friends. BYOB!Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

CLICK HERE for our 2018 Spring/Summer Daily Shop Rides Schedule!

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
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