THIS SATURDAY: You’re Invited to Hometown’s 7th Birthday Bash

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Shaun

IT’S OUR BIGGEST, FAMILY-FRIENDLIEST, HOMETOWNIEST EVENT TO DATE
This Saturday, April 15th marks 7 incredible years of Hometown adventures and growth, from propping a sandwich board with a crudely painted “Shaun’s Bike Shop” in front of our original, tiny service shop, to throwing a community-sized 7th birthday bash at our roller-rink-sized bicycle adventure center. Through it all, you’ve been right along with us for the ride, and this weekend’s celebration is in honor of what your loyalty has created!

Here’s what’s on the party roster…

ALL DAY – A chance to make your mark on Hometown Bicycles! All customers who make a purchase the day of the event – and going forward – will be immortalized by signing their name on our “I Support Hometown Bicycles!” support pillars!

ALL DAY – Fantastic deals!

ALL DAY – Unveiling the 10 bicycles that Hometown Bicycles is donating to this year’s 10th Anniversary Tour de Livingston to raise money and awareness for Livingston County United Way.

9:00 AM – Doors open. Early bird door prizes, including some especially cool swag from Team Sponsor, Pro-Motion Physical Therapy!

11:00 AM – Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn for kids up through 5th grade – with candy, stickers, and toy surprises in abundance! (No cost to participate!)

11:30 AM – Easter Egg Hunt in the shop for adults of all ages – with candy, stickers, and some awesome surprise deals for diligent hunters! (No cost to participate!)

NOON – Lunch on the grill (it’s free!) and lawn games, courtesy of Team Sponsor Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp.

2:00 PM – Family-friendly, casual road ride from the shop. This is a relaxed, ride-your-own-pace sort of slow roll with good friends and great conversation!

4:00 PM – Announcing the winner of our Jr. Hometownie T-Shirt Design Contest. Be sure to check out all the amazing entries that will be hanging in our Community Room!

5:00 PM – All good things must come to an end, but we’ll be here bright and early on Monday morning to help you get to your Happy Place! Happy Easter, Hometownies!!

Bring everyone you know, bring your bike, and definitely bring your sense of fun! This is going to be one for the record books!!

BONUS BIRTHDAY BASH NOTES:

WE’LL BE IN THE NEWS! We’re honored to have Livingston Daily Press & Argus running a story on Hometown Bicycles and our family-friendly birthday event in this week’s paper. Thanks, Livingston Daily! Hometownies, stay on the lookout for our story!

ADDITIONAL EVENT PARKING: Our friends across the road at American Spirit Centre have generously offered us the use of their parking lot this Saturday for overflow event parking. If you do use their lot, please respect our veterans, and leave the front parking spaces for those who served our Country. Thank you!

JR. HOMETOWNIE T-SHIRT CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED

Creativity takes time – we get that! Upon popular request, we’re extending our deadline for the Jr. Hometownie T-Shirt Design Contest to April 14.

CHECK OUT THE CONTEST DETAILS HERE!

The winner will be announced at Hometown’s April 15th Birthday Bash, and their winning design will grace a limited edition run of Jr. Hometownie t-shirts! They’ll receive a complimentary Jr. Hometownie t-shirt, and will be featured in our weekly newsletter and website. ALL participants get an official Hometown sticker, and will be mentioned on our website.

(Photo at left: Jr. Hometownie artist, Abby, brought her family along to drop off her colorful Contest entry!)

(From left: Rex Blair, Brian Forhan, Joe VanGordon, Deb Godmer, Jim Cleer, Mark Lang, & Linc Werhly)

TEAM HOMETOWN GIVES LOVE TO THE LOWELL 50

Seven of our intrepid Team members biked the challenging, but scenic dirt roads of The Lowell 50 Classic Gravel Road Race (see above photo). It was a challenging field, but the Team dubbed it a fantastic race – definitely one to do again.

A “whoop-whoop!” goes out to Team member, Joe Ostervik, who took the jersey on the road at the first race in the Waterford Hills Road Racing Spring Training Series.

(Photos courtesy and used with the permission of Tiger Cub Scout Pack 365)

CUB SCOUT BIKE SAFETY MERIT BADGE – COMPLETED!

Tiger Cub Scout Pack 365 contacted us with a mission – to earn their Rolling Tigers Bicycle Safety Merit Badge with the help of Hometown. We LOVE investing in the future of cycling, and these kids are exactly that… cycling’s energetic future!

Congrats on earning your Badge, Pack 365. You made this experience FUN!

FEELING SAFER BY THE MINUTE – MCMBA BIKE PATROL

National Mountain Bike Patrol Training is no cakewalk – nor should it be… it’s about saving lives, preserving trails, and promoting the sport – and we saw a group of volunteer heroes put through their paces at last weekend’s intensive class here at Hometown. Happily, we had both the classroom and the on-site trails to accommodate!

Our congratulations and thanks to the men and women who have stepped up to keep us and our trails safe! If you’re interested in learning more about Bike Patrol, CLICK HERE.

Family Friendly Road Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH – 2:00 P.M. – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
This is the ride that’s a part of our big Hometown Bicycles Birthday Bash! Easy pace and limited miles, this ride is about socializing and enjoying the Spring weather. A great ride for the whole family!

Our regular group rides will start up again after Easter. Stay tuned! Be sure to FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK for ride confirmation and details.

When in doubt,
pedal it out.

– Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: American Spirit Centre, bash, Bicycle Safety, bicycle shop, bicycles, Bike Patrol, bike shop, bikes, birthday, Brian Forhan, candy, classic gravel road race, Community Room, cycling, cyclists, deadline, deals, Deb Godmer, donation, door prizes, early bird, easter egg hunt, family friendly, group ride, Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp, Happy Easter, happy place, heroes, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, in the news, Jim Cleer, joe ostervik, Joe Van Gordon, Jr. Hometownie, lawn games, Linc Werhly, Livingston County United Way, Livingston Daily Press and Argus, Mark Lang, MCMBA, merit badge, National Mountain Bike Patrol, newspaper, overflow parking, Pack 365, parking, party, Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, Rex Blair, road ride, Rolling Tigers, Shaun Bhajan, Shaun's bike shop, shop ride, Spring Training Series, stickers, t-shirt design contest, Team Hometown Bicycles, team sponsor, The Lowell 50, Tiger Cub Scouts, Tour de Livingston, veterans, volunteers, Waterford Hills Road Racing, winner | Leave a comment »

Shaun talks deals and dancing

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Shaun

Fat Bike Deal of the Century

(No joke!)

IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A FAT BIKE, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!!
Last week, we challenged you to research fat bike availability in the area; it’s non-existent! This COULD be super-sad news, but Hometown is your Happy Place, and we’re determined to keep it that way!

We’ve negotiated an unheard of deal on carbon fat bikes that will be CUSTOM BUILT in a limited run for our shop. Shaun tells all in the video above ↑. Happy days are here again!

Shaun and Dawn Bhajan of Hometown Bicycles with Carine Joannou, CEO of Jamis and Nirve Bikes
(One of the highlights of our trip was connecting with Carine Joannou, CEO of Jamis and Nirve Bikes!)

GEEKING OUT OVER BIKE STUFF IN CHICAGO

We had three goals for last week’s trip to the CABDA bike expo in Chicago:

1) Survive (it was our first time road tripping with two babies)
2) Connect with the amazing people that are part of the amazing companies that help make Hometown totally amazing!
3) Scope out great deals for you and your fellow Hometownies!

How did we make out?

1) Well, I’m writing this, so let’s put a big, gold star next to Goal 1!
2) Check out the photos below. It was incredible!
3) We found them!! You’ll be seeing new products at great prices appearing in the store over the coming months.

Thanks, CABDA! Mission accomplished!

(Clockwise from top left: The whole fam meets up with one of our favorite human beings on the planet – Tom T, our Jamis rep and Liam’s best buddy. Mmm-MMMMMM… Xenith goodness! Us gals enjoy hanging out with Jamis “demo maniac”, Max. One gorgeous Jamis line-up! Shaun and Liam geek out over bike specs.)

(Clockwise from top left: *Squeal!* Bike expo! Our peeps, Matt & Eric from Framed Bikes which helped us put together the insane fat bike deal at the top of this email. My guys chillin’ with Saris super-rep, Kellen. Liam bonded with Park Tools’ legendary Director of Education, Calvin Jones. Some of the world’s nicest people work at Lexco, like Denise and Izzy here!)

SPEAKING OF JAMIS… HOW’D YOU LIKE TO WIN SOME?!

This is SO COOL… check out this bikepacking contest that Jamis is running, with a grand prize of something like $5,000 in bikes and adventure gear! How sweet would it be if a Hometownie won?! What are you waiting for… ENTER NOW!!

As if that weren’t awesome enough… they’re also running a Nirve Beach Cruiser Valentine’s Day Giveaway. There’s 10 different ways to win, and the more you choose, the better your odds for winning a PAIR of stylin’ cruisers for you and your sweetheart!

THIS WEEKEND! “BIKE LOVE” VALENTINE CRAFT CLASS

SATURDAY, FEB. 11, NOON-2PM IN THE HOMETOWN COMMUNITY ROOM, $7

Your kids will create their very own, unique, bike-y Valentine in this family-friendly, holiday craft class, run by Hometown artist, Lauren Patrell of LPbyLP.

For ages 6 and up, but don’t be shy about participating if you’re an adult. We bet you know a cyclist or two who would love to get one of these from you!

LIMITED CLASS SIZE! $7 per person payable at time of class.

REGISTER NOW FOR “BIKE LOVE” VALENTINE’S KID CRAFT CLASS

THIS WEEK: Flat Tire Fixes for Everyone (Hands On!)

We’re running our flat tire fix clinic 3 times this week with a limited class size, so that everyone – and we mean EVERYONE – gets individual attention, and an opportunity to practice with the expert (Shaun). Bring a wheel, or use one of ours!

EMERGENCY BIKE REPAIR PART 2 – REGISTER NOW!
Tues. 2/7 from 12:15-1pm -OR- Wed. 2/8 from 12:15-1pm -OR- FRIDAY 2/10 from 6-7pm
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WHY JAMIS? – REGISTER NOW!
Thursday, February 16 from 6-7pm
A favorite addition to our clinic series, “Why Jamis?” answers who Jamis is, what they offer YOU, and why we’ve loved ’em from Day One! Jamis rep and our “brother-from-a-different-mother”, Tom Trentanove, will guest speak and answer your individual questions.

WHERE TO RIDE IN MICHIGAN & POTLUCK PARTY! – REGISTER NOW!
Thursday, February 23 from 6-7pm
Bring your favorite dish to this munch-and-learn, wrap-up clinic party! Enjoy your fellow clinic-goers’ culinary skills, while we share some of the best parks and routes in Michigan for your cycling Adventures, plus groups you can ride with.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE OUR “WHY JAMIS?” CLINIC ON 2/16

When spring fever is setting in, and you’ve got bike on the brain, your research can bring up more questions than it answers:

• How do bike brands compare?
• Why would you choose one over the other?
• Why is Hometown head-over-heels for Jamis?
• What does Jamis offer YOU?

We introduced this clinic last year, and it wound up being our biggest clinic to date! We provide chews and brews, a chance to socialize with fellow bike peeps and ask questions of our “brother-from-a-different-mother” Jamis rep Tom Trentanove, plus the information you need to make a decision that’s right for YOU.

So, if you’re curious, seriously searching, or just feeling housebound…

REGISTER NOW FOR “WHY JAMIS?” CLINIC – THURS (2/16) AT 6PM

NO CHARGE TO ATTEND … NO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE … JUST MIND-EXPANDING FUN!

(Top: Shaun and Jean feelin’ mighty proud to be a part of Tour de Livingston. Bottom [left to right]: Team Hometown’s Joe Ostervik being awarded Jersey Rider status – we’re proud of you, Joe! We helped raise $37,500 in 2016 for Livingston County United Way – woohoo!! And a shout out to our man, Josh Hendershot, who was the Tour’s TOP FUNDRAISING RIDER – he’s one special Hometownie!)

NO, NO… THANK YOU, TOUR DE LIVINGSTON!!

Oh, man, did we ever feel the love at last week’s Tour de Livingston Thank You Luncheon! But for however much they appreciate our involvement, we are just as appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of something that connects so match-made-in-heaven-ly to the very soul of Hometown. Bikes, cyclists, community, family, fun, and goodwill – it’s truly an honor to be a part of it all!

HANG WITH HOMETOWN AT THE SWEETHEART DANCES

THIS WEEK, Hometown’s super-proudly co-sponsoring one of the family-friendliest events we’ve EVER participated in – Howell Parks & Rec’s Sweetheart Dances!

This 3-day, bop-’til-you-drop event launched yesterday with a mother-son dance, and continues today (2/8) and tomorrow with daddy-daughter dances at Crystal Gardens. If you and your princess are going, be sure to drop by our table and say “hi!” to Shaun!

(Shout out to co-sponsors Brennan Investment Services and McCaskill Family Services!)

(Image at left courtesy Chris Buddingh – hey, Chris, you should enter Jamis’ Bikepacking Contest!)

MEET YOUR CREW: CHRIS “CRITTERBUD” BUDDINGH

Chris is wacky and wonderful – a man of many talents with a heart as big as they come. Chris helps keep our shop ship-shape, along with a million other tasks that – somehow – he always seems to be good at. He’s been with us since our early days:

Critterbud defined: Loves family, friends, fun, and God, bicycling… Bigfoot!!!… ‘cycle touring, camping, making music, singing and songwriting… the love of Country and Hometown!!! Stolen quote of the day: “If you’re living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!!!”

SHAUN’S GOTTEN HOOKED ON SPIN CLASS!

Sunday’s “Spin-Off” with Shaun over at Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp resulted in a full house of Hometownies (thanks for the support!)… and a new convert to spinning!

Instructor Nancy was top-notch, the atmosphere was friendly and encouraging, and the bikes were loaded with Hometownies. It was the kind of class that could encourage a 24/7 bike guru to sneak away from the shop for a weekly spin hit! Stay tuned on Facebook, if you would like to join him!

And, of course, keep a weather eye out in upcoming newsletters for even more opportunities to pick Shaun’s bike brain over at Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp.

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, LEAVES PROMPTLY AT 1PM

It’s another adventure through the Island Lakes Badlands on this relaxed pace, NO DROP shop ride. Be prepared to push your bike up a hill or two! This is a Plus/Fat Bike expedition. Not appropriate for “skinny” tires. Follow us on Facebook for ride confirmation and updates.

Need a fat bike? We rent! Call our shop: (810) 225-2441

SPRING: 42 Days & Counting

6 weeks ’til Spring… can you believe it?! Don’t panic… we’ll get you AND your bike there in top form!

Take advantage of our fat bikes and rentals, winter shop rides, fitness classes, and famous bicycle tune-ups and repairs!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: beach cruisers, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike classes, bike clinics, bike shop, bikes, CABDA, Carine Joannou, Chicago, chris buddingh, contest, craft class, custom built bikes, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Bhajan, deal, fat bike, flat tire fix, framed bikes, happy place, Hometown Bicycles, Howell Area Parks and Rec Authority, Jamis, joe ostervik, kids craft class, Lauren Patrell, Lexco, Livingston County United Way, LPbyLP, Nirve, Park Tools, Saris, Shaun Bhajan, sweetheart dance, Tour de Livingston, valentines day, Xenith | Leave a comment »

A Spectacular Kick-Off, the Crafty Cyclist, and One Bad Egg

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Shaun

(Photo courtesy Howell Rotary/Livingston County United Way… TdL rocks!!)

THAT WAS ONE SPECTACULAR TOUR DE LIVINGSTON KICK-OFF!

Nearly 60 riders took to the Howell roads last weekend in this pre-Tour, Balloonfest-based, Hometown-led kick-off event. Our Team and crew had an absolute blast riding with all of you. Thanks for making this Tour de Livingston Kick-Off Ride one to remember!

(Photo courtesy Howell Rotary/Livingston County United Way… RA-RA-sis-boom-TdL!!)

This year’s Tour de Livingston event is October 9th. REGISTER NOW!

TOUR DE LIVINGSTON – OCTOBER 9

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NUMBER ONE IN YOUR HEARTS… AND ONLINE?

You’ve rocketed us into “First Place – Best Bicycle Shop” year after year (after year!) on the Detroit A-List, and that show of loyalty motivates us to keep on rocking your cycling world!!Now, here’s another chance to let your community know who YOUR bike shop is – can you help us get to #1 here, too?

VOTE FOR BEST BIKE SHOP on CLICK ON DETROIT’S VOTE4THEBEST

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PINCKNEY STUDENT ART OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT!

It’s here!! TONIGHT, June 28th from 5:30-6:30pm, we are hosting a Student Art Open House to celebrate the creativity of Pinckney Schools students.

Complimentary refreshments, beautiful bike art (some of it for sale!), and a chance to feel like a rockstar for helping these young artists know how talented they are – please come!

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PALLET PAINTING FOR THE CRAFTY CYCLIST

Calling all crafty types!! Here’s a fantastically fun, new addition to our Community Room schedule…a bicycle-themed pallet painting party, courtesy of Comfy Canvas.

Running Saturday, July 23 at noon (but registration closes July 9th!), this artsy avenue gives you the chance to craft your very own bicycle sign masterpiece from upcycled pallet board. Check out what you can create in the photo above!

To reserve your spot, give Comfy Canvas’ Heather a call BY JULY 9TH: 810-923-1742.

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ONE BAD EGG

We’ve been in business for over 6 years now, and in the industry far longer than that… and we’ve come across cyclists of all kinds. But a couple days ago, we caught wind of a rider who stinks up the sport with his dangerous conduct. Here’s the scoop:

Anyone riding Island Lake on Saturday, June 25th between 12-2, we are looking for your help.

Around 1pm, there was an incident between a tandem and a mountain biker. The mountain biker rode next to the tandem couple and pushed them off the road, resulting in extensive road rash and a possible broken collar bone in the female rider. This act is despicable, and it’s important to identify this rider. We know that he was wearing a Michigan jersey and a Camelback. If you have any info, please contact the shop, and we will get in touch with the correct officials.

Thanks to Team Hometown’s Marvin Ballast for stopping to assist the fallen tandem riders, and for making us aware of this appalling event, so that we can put the word out.

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: artist reception, bad egg, Best Bicycle Shop, best bike shop, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike ride, bike shop, bikes, Comfy Canvas, cycling, cyclists, Detroit A List, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bicycles Student Art Program, Howell, Howell Rotary, Kick-Off Ride, Livingston County United Way, MI, open house, pallet painting party, Pinckney Schools, Tour de Livingston, Vote 4 the best, Vote4theBest | Leave a comment »

6 Fun Facts About the Tour de Livingston

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Shaun

LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, and the excitement’s building for this October 11th event of epic awesomeness! To get you in the “Tour de Livingston” mood, here are a few fun facts about our favorite community ride:

1) This will be the Tour de Livingston’s 8th birthday!

2) To date, the Tour de Livingston has raised $180,000 to provide basic needs within OUR COMMUNITY via the Livingston County United Way.

3) Created by the Howell Rotary, the success of Tour de Livingston hasinspired other Rotary clubs to launch their own cycling fundraisers.

4) Tour de Livingston is one of the only times in which cyclists are allowed toride the GM Proving Grounds.

5) Your registration for Tour de Livingston gives you automatic entry in a drawing to win a Jamis Xenith road bike (donated by us, look right –>)!

6) We firmly believe that Tour de Livingston is one of THE BEST ways to view the fall scenery in our beautiful community!

LEARN MORE HERE about the Tour de Livingston. AndHERE, TOO!

REGISTER HERE for the Tour de Livingston.

SMILE HERE because you know you’re going to have a blast at the Tour de Livingston!

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A RUN TO REMEMBER

(Photo courtesy Brighton Area Fire Department. Thank you!)

NEVER FORGET… The runners, walkers, and spectators of Brighton Area Fire Department’s 9/11 Memorial race aren’t likely to forget the sight of the fire crew running 3.1 miles in full gear!

Kudos to the volunteers for making it possible, and our heartfelt thanks to the Fire Department for everything they have done and do for this community.

And a special congratulations to Mary Theresa who won the bicycle that we donated to the event. (Photo at right courtesy Brighton Area Fire Department)

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REMINDER: MONUMENTAL MOVING SALE THIS WEEKEND

AS IF YOU NEEDED REMINDING…

Running only 5 short hours, the Hometown Bicycles Moving Sale will be an epic opportunity for killer deals and garage sale bargains. We’ll be selling just about everything that isn’t nailed down, including our tools, displays, equipment, posters, appliances, supplies, stands and, of course, bicycles and accessories.

September 20, 2015
11am-4pm

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 9/11, bargains, bicycle shop, bike shop, Brighton Area Fire Department, community, fall, firemen, garage sale, GM Proving Grounds, Hometown Bicycles, Jamis, Livingston County United Way, moving sale, never forget, race, remember, road bike, run, scenery, Tour de Livingston, Xenith | Leave a comment »

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