Kevin Brennan | Hometown Bicycles

Hometown is up for Best Bike Shop! Get those voting fingers ready…

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Shaun

We Ate, We Rode & We Painted Settlers Park Orange!

Pictured: Team Hometown Bicycles member Jim Thompson and his son
It was picture perfect June sunshiny weather for Family Day at Settlers Park this past weekend. Over 50 people hit the trails!

Thank you to Team Hometown Bicycles Sponsor, Kevin Brennan with Michigan Financial Planning, for this fun collaboration! His team grilled up hot dogs and talked up financial health, while Hometown led guided rides and shared demo bike knowledge with visitors.

Team Hometown showed up in their kits and colored the park orange… we sure appreciate your presence and willingness to take newbies on rides! You always make us proud.

We even got to witness Shaun and Dawn on a tandem. For those who missed it, check out the video evidence below…

Hometown Bicycles is nominated: Vote 4 the BEST!

Hometown Bicycles has been nominated for the BEST bike shop in the Click on Detroit Vote 4 the Best Contest!

Please show us your Hometown LOVE by voting for us!

Voting begins on Tuesday, June 18th at 11 AM and runs through Sunday, July 14 at 11 PM. You can vote often and much… every hour, in fact… we know that’s a heck-of-a-lot of voting, but anything you can do to help is so appreciated!

To vote:

Visit the Click on Detroit website HERE
Choose the Sports & Recreation category
Select Hometown Bicycles

It’s that simple! Add it to your bookmarks to make it even easier.
Let’s rock this, Hometownies!

Summertime: Hometown Happenings in the Community!

Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby –

Hundreds of kids and families attended the fishing derby sponsored by the Brighton Optimist Club on Saturday, June 8th at the Mill Pond in downtown Brighton.

Team Hometown Bicycles member Robin Fry was there on our decorated red, white & blue bike to talk up how you and your kids can ride with us in the 4th of July Parade! Thanks, Robin!!

Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest & Parade – Thursday, July 4 at 8 AM

Decorate your bike at home, or bring your bike and decorations to Hometown between Saturday 6/29 and Wednesday 7/3. You can bring your bike with you on the 4th of July, or decorate it and leave it at our shop to be delivered for you to the contest site on the 4th! Judging starts at 9:15 AM with awards immediately following. And then it’s Parade time at 10 AM!

You’ll be riding in the Parade with Hometown’s own Shaun, Dawn, and kids! Bring YOUR kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews, and join them for a ride down Main Street!

Read all about it and SIGN UP HERE!

Team Hometown has been BUSY!
**Check out their recent adventures**

Mike Dyer (left), Scooter Gates (below), and Keith Cowgar (immediately below) had an epic Bikepacking adventure this past weekend… and we mean EPIC. They covered nearly 90 miles in three days in the High Country Pathway!

Mike says, “Would I bikepack again? Absolutely! Would I ride this trail again? Absolutely not!”

What is designed to be a hiking trail makes for a most challenging biking trail; it would even be tough for hiking. Our Team’s advice? If you decide to ride this trail, you MUST bring more water than you think (and a way to filter more), 100% Deet, a detailed map and a downloaded GPS file. Trust our experts on this one!

On Sunday, June 2nd, Gary Kulhanek and Kristi Mackenzie participated in the Tour de l’Île, a biking classic, where thousands of cyclists fill the streets of Montréal with their positive energy and infectious enthusiasm, creating an unforgettable urban festival.

Gary said it was a great time except for the rain!

Avid Hometownie and Hometown Crew member Les Cook’s brother, Dr. Mark Cook, is currently doing a ride across Wisconsin. Just a group of friends on a fun-filled journey! Check out their adventure below…

Top: Mark, second from left

Middle: Mark, in yellow

Bottom: Some local fauna in Wisconsin… yikes!

Congratulations to Erik Frazier (below left) and John Harrington (below center) for their first place podiums in this past weekend’s Island Lake Challenge! And kudos also go to Marilyn Reichenbach (below right) for her third place win… way to go!

Hometownies, do you have news about races, rides or other adventures to include for consideration in future Hometown e-newsletters? Send your stories and photos to events@myhometownbicycles. We love to show off our Team and customers!

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 & 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
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

intenSati | Sundays 10 AM – June 9 and 23
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

Sati Yoga | Sundays 9 AM – June 9 and 23
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 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, bikepacking, bikes, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Cardio Drumming, click on detroit, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Erik Frazier, Family Day at Settlers Park, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, Gary and Kristi Kulhanek, group rides, High Country Pathway, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, John Harrington, Keith Cowgar, Kevin Brennan, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Marilyn Reichenbach, Mark Cook, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, Michigan Financial Planning, mike dyer, Robin Fry, Scooter Gates, Settlers Park, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tresa O’Rourke, Vote 4 the best, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Hang with Hometown THIS WEEKEND at Settler’s Park & the Fishing Derby!

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Shaun

Eat, Ride & Demo Bikes at
Family Day at Settlers Park
THIS SATURDAY, June 8 from 10 AM – 2 PM

We’re enthusiastically teaming up with Team Hometown Bicycles Sponsor, Kevin Brennan with Michigan Financial Planning, to bring you this FREE family-friendly event! Stop by for hot dogs and guided bike rides, and see what Settlers Park is all about!

Many, many Team Hometown Bicycles members have been an integral part of creating, beautifying, and maintaining the trails at Settlers Park, most notably Tom Hermann, who has put in at least 70 hours volunteering this year alone. Tom, you are an absolute godsend to the local cycling community!

Keith Cowgar, Jim Thompson, Mike Dyer, Doug Lapp, Les Cook, Joe Ostervik, Neal Glazebrook, Dennis Doherty, Andy Miller, Jack Riddle, Steve and Jean Steinberg, and Mike Gaden have also contributed their time and dedication to Settlers Park. Thank you, Team! We are EXCITED to show off their efforts on Saturday with ALL OF YOU. Join us for guided rides with Team Hometown… for all ages and skill levels. We will offer mountain biking, pavement riding, and possibly even an impromptu gravel ride to Parshallville and back!

Hometown is hoppin’ with involvement in community events!

Check out these fun, family-friendly events coming up SOON. We love being part of them and hope to see YOU there.

Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby –
*** THIS WEEKEND ***
Saturday, June 8 from 8:30-11:30 AM

FREE catch and release fishing derby sponsored by the Brighton Optimist Club, for ages 16 and under. Be one of the first 150 to register to get a complimentary t-shirt. Team Hometown Bicycles member Robin Fry will be there to talk up how you and your kids can ride with us in the 4th of July Parade!

Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest & Parade – Thursday, July 4 at 8 AM

You’ll be riding in the Parade with Hometown’s own Shaun, Dawn, and kids! Bring YOUR kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and join them for a ride down Main Street!

Read all about it and SIGN UP HERE!

Milford Bike Fest: A fabulous time had by all!

The streets and bike trails of Milford were popping with the color orange last weekend as Team Hometown represented in droves! It truly couldn’t have been a more perfect day for the Milford Bike Festival and Trail Challenge… both the sun and smiles were shining!

Pictured left: Brad Felder, Matt Ricketts and Denis Hall, ready for 100 miles.

We are so proud of our Hometownies for their involvement in community events such as this. All proceeds from the day will benefit future trail maintenance by the MCMBA.

And nothing says it better than reading a post like this on our Facebook page…

Ramps and hills and kids, oh my!

On Sunday, June 2nd, Hometown crew member Les Cook and Team Hometown Co-Captain Joe Ostervik helped introduce kids to the world of mountain biking. The Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association held their annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking event at Brighton Recreation Area. Approximately 100 kids and parents participated!

Pictured left: Les Cook works on a kid’s bike to ensure it’s safe and ready for the skills course!

Big shout out to Team Hometown Sponsors Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply, and Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp for donating swag to the goody bags.. kids received water bottles, pens, Koozies and bracelets from our generous sponsors.

Make your voice heard: Help stop distracted driving

Distracted driving kills. Drivers’ odds of a crash more than doubled when they were texting. More than 3,000 traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2017 were caused by distracted driving. Yet Michigan’s texting-while-driving ban is hard to enforce and insufficient to change driver behavior. Hands-free laws are much simpler for police to enforce than texting or social media bans that leave loopholes for phone calls, and create less need for judgment calls.

Click HERE to contact your lawmakers today and make your voice heard.

CURRENTLY SEEKING FULL-TIME SERVICE TECHS
Hours flexible

Stop by the shop for an application.

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 & 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
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

intenSati | Sundays 10 AM – June 9 and 23
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

Sati Yoga | Sundays 9 AM – June 9 and 23
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply, 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, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club Bike Decorating Contest and Parade Ride, Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Brighton Recreation Area, Cardio Drumming, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Family Day at Settlers Park, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, group rides, Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, Kevin Brennan, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, MCMBA, Michigan, Michigan Financial Planning, Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge, PotoMBA, Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, Settlers Park, Shaun and Dawn Bhajan, shop rides, Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tom Hermann, Tresa O’Rourke, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Hometown’s Jamis Demo is TODAY!!

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Shaun

Happy Memorial Day, Hometownies!
We’re hopeful the sun will shine in Michigan this Memorial Day weekend!

JAMIS DEMO DAY IS TODAY!

Test Ride Jamis’ New 3VO Suspension

RIDE WITH US: 5/23, 2-6 PM @ Island Lake Trailhead

Jamis Bikes and Hometown Bicycles are teaming up to co-host this AWESOME event at Island Lake State Recreation Area. Check out the latest Hardline® and Portal® 3VO Suspension bikes, as well as the Renegade, the superb and versatile adventure bike, in both steel and carbon!

Jamis’ new Portal® and Hardline® were developed by the Jamis design team over the past two years utilizing Chris Currie of Speedgoat Design’s patented 3VO suspension platform.

ALSO AT THE EVENT:
Test ride a Co-Motion Tandem road and mountain bike, courtesy of our good friend Joel of Midwest Bike & Tandem! Ever tried the trail on a 2-seater?? We double-dog dare you!!

Be sure to bring the following:

Drivers license
Credit card
Helmet
Optional – your own pedals

Stop by the Hometown tent to chat with our knowledgeable Hometown crew and volunteers from Team Hometown Bicycles!

Sati Yoga comes to Hometown’s Community Room

NEW YOGA OFFERING!
Join Dawn Gaden, RYT on Sunday, May 26th at 9 AM! This class is about aligning the mind, body and spirit for a powerfully deep and energetic practice. Sati yoga includes breath work that allows our mind to focus and our bodies to flow. Expect an intermediate class of vinyasa flow, inversions, meditation, and mantras. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat.

At 10 AM, stay for intenSati, which means mindful intention. This unique class is a combination of movement, music, voice and stillness to help you tap into your full potential and create a healthy relationship with your body, mind and spirit. Bring a water bottle and mat; shoes are optional.

Each class is $10 — or $15 for both. Drop ins are welcome.

Gooo, Team Hometown!

Team Hometown member Andrea Dahline, her friend Helen Lachowicz, and Hometown’s cardio drumming queen Martha Soraruf headed to the Zoo-De-Mack this past weekend for a glorious 51 mile ride.

The Zoo-De-Mack is not a race, but a gathering of approximately 4,000 outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy a little physical exercise together in one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan. This was the 30th year for the event.

From Andrea:“Helen Lachowicz and I have been training with Martha for over 8 months, and we really owe it to her and all the cardio drumming and cross training with weights that allowed us to be able to accomplish the 51 miles with all the hills as well! Our legs and hearts were STRONG. Of course the awesome JAMIS bikes helped too!”

Great job, ladies!

Hometown is hoppin’ with involvement in community events!

Check out these fun, family-friendly events coming up SOON. We love being part of them and hope to see YOU there.

Milford Bike Fest– Saturday, June 1 (registration begins at 7 AM)

MCMBA brings you this exciting day exploring the trails of Milford and enjoying live music at Main Street Grill & Tavern! Hometown will be on site for bike support, as well as leading a guided ride at 9 AM with Hometownie Tom Hermann. Back by popular demand, the Milford to Commerce Grand Tour traverses 30 miles of dirt roads, singletrack, two-track, and paved bike paths. We will split it into two groups; a spirited pace of 15 mph and a no-drop group ride at a pace of 10 mph.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Da y – Sunday, June 2 from 10-2, Brighton Recreation Area, Sandhill Pavilion

This FREE event is brought to you by the Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association (POTO)to encourage communities to join together and get kids excited about riding! Bike the 2 mile beginner Appleton Lake Loop trail with a guide or try out the bike skills course. Hometown Bicycles will be assisting with free bicycle and helmet checks.

Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby – Saturday, June 8 from 8:30-11:30 AM

FREE catch and release fishing derby sponsored by the Brighton Optimist Club, for ages 16 and under. Be one of the first 150 to register to get a complimentary t-shirt. Hometown will be there to talk up how you and your kids can ride with us in the 4th of July Parade!

Family Day at Settlers Park – Saturday, June 8 from 10-2

In partnership with our amazing Team Hometown Bicycles sponsor, Kevin Brennan with Michigan Financial Planning, this FREE event will include guided paved and mountain bike rides for all ages, food and refreshments, and demonstration bikes. Come out and see what Settlers Park has to offer!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 3VO Suspension, 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, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Cardio Drumming, Co-Motion Tandem, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Family Day at Settlers Park, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, fitness classes, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometownies, intenSati, Island Lake Recreation Area, Jamis Demo, Jamis Hardline, Jamis Portal, Kevin Brennan, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Martha Soraruf, Memorial Day, Michigan, Michigan Financial Planning, Midwest Bike and Tandem, Milford Bike Fest, shop rides, Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Team Hometown Bicycles, trailhead, Tresa O’Rourke, Zoo-de-Mack, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

Jamis Demo 5/23 at Island Lake

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Shaun

BE ONE OF THE FIRST!

Test Ride Jamis’ New 3VO Suspension

JAMIS DEMO DAY: Thu, May 23rd, 2-6 PM @ Island Lake

Jamis Bikes and Hometown Bicycles are teaming up to co-host this AWESOME event at Island Lake State Recreation Area. Check out the latest Hardline® and Portal® 3VO Suspension bikes, as well as the Renegade, the suburb and versatile adventure bike, in both steel and carbon!

Be sure to bring the following:

Drivers license
Credit card
Helmet
Optional – your own pedals

Stop by the Hometown tent to chat with our knowledgeable Hometown crew and volunteers from Team Hometown Bicycles!

Island Lake Demo Day was an absolute blast!

What a fun and BEAUTIFUL spring day we had on Saturday, May 4th at Island Lake Demo Day! Over 400 bicycle enthusiasts attended the event.

We are incredibly proud of Team Hometown Bicycles for their volunteerism at the event; we literally plastered the park with the smiling faces of our Team. Amazing job, Steve Steinberg and everyone else who gave their time!

Hometown was able to gift $122 to the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA)through visitor donations from our Hot Dog Lunch.

Looking forward to next year already!

Team Hometown representin’!
The 10th anniversary of Mud, Sweat and Beers took place on Saturday, May 4th in Traverse City. This Fat Tire Fest is an annual springtime fundraiser for Mt. Holiday, a not-for-profit organization focused on providing affordable winter and summer recreational opportunities for the youth – in particular the underprivileged.

Team Hometown was represented by (from left to right): Paul Andres, Jim Thompson, Scooter Gates, Mike Dyer, Andy Showerman, Erik Frazier, Brad Allen and Keith “Super Star” Cowgar. (Kevin Muchuga and Scott Simpson raced but are not pictured.) Keith Cowgar finished first in his age class and Scott Simpson won the SS/Fixie class. Please note that the group is proudly displaying #doitfordan armbands in honor of Dan Horal.

In other Team news… Hometownie John Harrington (left) took 3rd at the Fort Custer Stampede on Sunday, May 5th in Augusta, Michigan. Excellent job, John!

Advocacy Day!
Wednesday, May 22 at 8 AM at the State Capitol in Lansing

Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity for road cyclists and trail users of all abilities – casual riders and die-hards alike – to speak with one voice to help make Michigan bicycling better. Hosted by the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) in partnership with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association and PEAC, this collaborative effort brings supporters of all four organizations together to educate legislators on key policy issues that facilitate a more bicycle-friendly Michigan.

This year’s priorities:

1) Reduce distracted driving and make cyclists safer by winning passage of a hands-free law, which would put significant penalties in place for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

2) Protect funding for non-motorized transportation by pushing back against House Bill 4410 – legislation aimed at eliminating the long-standing requirement for Michigan road agencies to spend one percent of their annual transportation funds on non-motorized safety projects.

Register HERE and make a difference!

Hometown is hoppin’ with involvement in community events!

Check out these fun, family-friendly events coming up SOON. We love being part of them and hope to see YOU there.

Milford Bike Fest– Saturday, June 1 (registration begins at 7 AM)

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Da y – Sunday, June 2 from 10-2, Brighton Recreation Area, Sandhill Pavilion

Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby – Saturday, June 8 from 8:30-11:30 AM

Family Day at Settlers Park – Saturday, June 8 from 10-2