YOU ARE INVITED! Where to Ride in Michigan Clinic & Potluck Party PLUS BIG Surprise Announcement!!
THIS SUNDAY – MARCH 3RD – from 5:30-7:30 PM
Can you believe it’s finally March?! We are so stoked to kick off the spring cycling season with you at our FREE information-packed party on Sunday, March 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM. Whether you are new to cycling, a member of Team Hometown, or anywhere in-between, you are welcome to attend!
Why you’ll be SO glad you came:
You will be the FIRST to hear our BIG SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT! And when we say big, we mean… BIG!
Other exciting reasons to come!
Learn all about Michigan trails, tours and groups.
Take home trail maps, websites, and other valuable resources.
Become knowledgeable about youth cycling, charitable events and groups, and volunteer opportunities galore.
Join Team Hometown! This event marks the last day to join for 2019.
And the very most important reason? Shaun’s FOOD! Your very own bike whisperer will be tantalizing our taste buds with Trinidadian-style spicy curry shrimp!(Come on, people, you know you want to eat ALL the shrimp)
We have some fantastic speakers lined up to share a wealth of knowledge with you:
Team Hometown Captains, Mike Dyer & Joe Ostervik – Learn about one of the most active and positively influential cycling Teams in Michigan!
MiSCA – Discover the power of youth cycling, coaching, and volunteer needs.
Tour de Livingston – Hear all about one of our favorite community rides EVER!!
Tom Hermann – Get introduced to the best rails-to-trails, gravel routes, local singletrack, and organizations (like MCMBA and PotoMBA).
Jim Plaunt with Bike Tour Vacations – Be transported through the municipal, metro, and state parks; scenic regions; bike clubs; and smart phone navigation.
The Where to Ride in Michigan Clinic & Potluck on March 3rd offers up one last opportunity to join Team Hometown for the 2019 year. We are currently 70 incredible Team members and growing! Join us for rides, races, camaraderie, events, and all-around FUN.
How to Join: Download our Team Application. Drop it by the shop or bring it to the Potluck! Our Team Store is NOW OPEN, and will remain open through March 15th. Order your kits to make your membership OFFICIALLY official!
Bring a dish to pass and meet fellow cycling enthusiasts at this FREE information-packed party. We are so stoked to kick off the spring cycling season with you!
The “Where to Ride in Michigan” Clinic & Potluck on March 3rd offers up one last opportunity to join Team Hometown for the 2019 year. We are currently 70 incredible Team members and growing! Join us for rides, races, camaraderie, events, and all-around FUN.
How to Join: Download our Team Application. Drop it by the shop or bring it to the Potluck! Our Team Store is NOW OPEN, and will remain open through March 15th. Order your kits to make your membership OFFICIALLY official!
Hometown in Our Community
This past weekend, Hometown’s Leslie Cook represented our shop at the Sportsman Dinner at The Naz on Saturday and then woke up on Sunday to do it again at the Winter Sports Demo Day at Huron Meadows.
Team Hometownie Doug Lapp joined Les at Huron Meadows to talk up fat biking, Team Hometown and Hometown Bicycles! Thank you, guys, for doing us proud!
(Psst! Check out the AMAZING Demo Day video Doug made by clicking the video image above.)
The Adventures of Jacob “Speedy Sloth” Henriksen: 2019 Polar Roll
Jacob is the type of Team member who can make ANY cycling adventure FUN for all! This past weekend found him going arctic at 2019 Polar Roll:
Jacob is the type of Team member who can make ANY cycling adventure FUN for all! This past weekend found him going arctic at 2019 Polar Roll:
“Going into the 2019 Polar Roll, we all knew it was going to be a tough ride. Along with recent storms, a fresh snowstorm hit the night before the race. Volunteers were out until 5 AM trying to get the trail ride-able. That being said, I am so glad that I have the mindset that any day that I’m outside and enjoying the fresh air and hanging out with friends is a good day, no matter if I make it to the finish line or not. I did not quit this race; however, I did not make it to the finish line either. I did, however, make it to my goal point!
I also made a new friend, and showed him the Hometown way of no rider left behind. I got to be out in the Beautiful UP. I took in some awesome scenery (wolves, deer, and a bald eagle). I got to take some awesome pictures, had friends and even a few strangers take care of me and my new friend while we are out on the course! The most important thing, though, is I had fun even during the hardest parts when we had to walk. That is ultimately what biking has always been for me! It is a time to hang out with my friends, be outdoors, and just have fun!”
Sponsor Feature: Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply
Meet Sandy Rachwal!
How long have you collaborated with Hometown? How did you get involved? Beauchamp has partnered with Hometown Bicycles for the past 3 years and loved every second of it! The family feel at the store and the awesome energy is everywhere when you walk through the door! Shaun and Dawn make you feel so welcome and right at home. It’s a great feeling to see everyone smiling and willing to help you get into the right bike. I had met a previous employee at an event and told her we would be willing to donate water for rides and clinics… the rest is history!
Tell us how Beauchamp is involved in the community. We work with the Hartland, Howell, Brighton, South Lyon and Fenton schools, donating to their dances and runs. We partner with Meals on Wheels. We help Habitat for Humanity on builds occasionally, and donate and help at their picnic. We help with a lot of runs, such as The Melanoma Run, Run for Hunger, Alzheimer’s and Go Pink Runs. We are also members of seven different Chamber of Commerce chapters, from Hartland to The Lakes area.
How much water do YOU personally drink each day? I start my morning with a 10 ounce bottle of water and try to drink another 6-8 bottles every day.
What sets Beauchamp apart from its competitors? Beauchamp Water Treatment was built on integrity. I always feel, no matter how educated, rich, or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all!
Coffee or tea? My drink of choice is a cup of freshly brewed coffee with honey and coconut milk!
NOW HIRING!
AS THE CYCLING SEASON’S GEARING UP, SO ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES…Hometown is committed to making the bike shop experience magical for the wonderful people who patronize our shop. That requires an exceptional team of “behind-the-scene”-ers. You can be a part of it!
SEEKING FULL-TIME SERVICE TECHS – MON-FRI
Connect with Shaun or Dawn for an application.
Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Event:
Tuesday, March 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM
We have introduced you to our keynote speaker, Jennifer Matras with Competitive Edge Skating… now we bring to you another fabulous female entrepreneur who will be part of our Q&A panel. Meet Samantha Brish!
Dr. Samantha Brish is a Brighton native. She graduated from Brighton High School in 2010 and went on to study Movement Science at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Sam leads a very active lifestyle. She is an avid marathon runner, weight lifter and triathlete. Chronic hip and back pain forced Dr. Sam to take a break from running in 2014, which is when she learned about chiropractic. After countless attempts at rest and traditional physical therapy, Dr. Sam had her first adjustment and knew chiropractic was what she was meant to do. Dr. Sam pursued her Doctor of Chiropractic and Masters in Sport Science & Rehabilitation degrees.
Upon graduation, Dr. Sam opened her own practice, Element Chiropractic & Wellness. Dr. Sam has a passion for helping people. She wants to keep people active and doing the things that bring them joy in life.
We warmly welcome Dr. Sam as one of our GIRL POWERpresenters!
The evening will be chock full of fun and invaluable information to help the young women in our lives explore and develop their entrepreneurial talents.
Join us this Saturday 2/9 from 12-1:30 PM, as Vinnie Baylerian, PT, DPT of Pro-Motion Physical Therapy covers the art and science of Bike Fitting. How can we maximize efficiency and minimize discomfort? Learn about the mechanics of your body, and how it interacts with your bicycle!
Please note that this wildly popular clinic is only offered on Saturday (sorry, no clinic today, Thursday 2/7!) There are already 44 bike-friendly folks signed up. Let’s fill the shop room floor with ALL the cycling enthusiasts! (If you have an extra chair handy, we’d appreciate you bringing it along.) SIGN UP HERE!
And here is the schedule of upcoming clinics! Early registration is appreciated. Click each registration link for the clinic(s) you’d like to attend.
Cycling Nutrition Thursday 2/14 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 2/16 from 1-2 PM
Guess what’s happenin’ in our Community Room? Martial Arts training! Brighton ATA Martial Arts will be offering lessons in our Community Room on Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as every other Tuesday evening, from 6-8 PM. Instructors CJ & Sarah Horn teach Songahm, Taekwondo-based martial arts for ages 4 and up, centered around self-defense and bully prevention.
“We focus on working with students on building confidence and discipline as well as other valuable life skills. Martial arts is unlike any other sport because at the core of the training, the emphasis is on personal development. We share and teach the same values you teach at home. The foundations of our morals, values and core character traits are formed in our early years. For this reason, the ATA Martial Arts program is an essential way to enhance the growth and personal development of young students of all ages.” Join today to start your 3 FREE class trial! Contact staff@brightonata.com or (810) 534-7518.
Sponsor Feature: Getting to Know PrismWare!
Meet Steve Wortley!
When and how did you get into cycling? I started getting into road biking seriously when I was about 13. I never rode with anyone — just loved the freedom of rolling over blacktop and finding new places to ride. When mountain bikes came along I thought they looked slow and silly, but one ride on the trails hooked me — a whole new way to find even more places to ride; places I couldn’t explore on my road bike. I’ve done long distance riding with friends, but Hometown is the first team experience I’ve had and I love it.
As a sponsor, how would you like to partner with Hometown and the Team? PrismWare’s sponsorship is simply an extension of my commitment to, and support of, the Hometown community.
Tell us about PrismWare! PrismWare, Inc. was created years ago as a holding corporation for copyrights and patents I might want to file. Then a couple years ago I invented a jig for faceting glass so a glass artist friend of mine could create geodes and add faceting to pieces. It turns out that there is a niche market for such a device, so I began the patent process and started marketing it under my holding company. The device was quickly picked up by a glass cold working supplier, so now I manufacture and sell the LapDancer faceting jig exclusively through them. The irony that the name PrismWare came years before I developed a device that actually makes prisms is not lost on me.
What’s your favorite hangout in Livingston County? My favorite hangout, if by no other measure than the number of times I’m there, would be Island Lake State Recreation Area’s Spring Mill Pond. I work from home, so as soon as the weather allows, lunch consists of riding the trails and stopping at SMP to eat. Close seconds would be the Living On The Etch glass studio and Hometown, of course.
Hobbies (other than riding)? I love hockey. I played for years and may try to get back into it this spring. My son managed Brighton High School’s hockey team and my daughter was on numerous travel teams. They both still play and I still watch BHS games, so I can often be found at some rink or another. I also spend inordinate amounts of time writing software and inventing things. Having a 3D printer allows me to go from concept to prototype with all sorts of crazy ideas.
Winter, spring, summer or fall? SUMMER! Give me heat!
Fat Tire Bikes: We rent ’em, you ride ’em!
Rental Rates: $25 for one ride $50 for same day (return before shop closes) $120 for 3 days $200 for 5 days We bike snow. We bike cold. We bike wind. We bike mild, spring-like winter days. We bike it ALL! If you would like to join us for some serious winter cycling fun this Saturday, check out our weekly Fat Bike Friendly Ride.
Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Event:
Tuesday, March 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM
The evening will be chock full of fun and invaluable information to help the young women in our lives explore and develop their entrepreneurial talents. If you are a middle school or high school student, or a young woman in her late teens/early 20’s, who is interested in starting your own business (or already have!), you will not want to miss our Young Women’s Entrepreneurship event.
We are super stoked to announce our guest speaker for this GIRL POWER event: Jennifer Matras, Owner and Head Skating Coach at Competitive Edge Skating.
With over 25 years of skating and training experience, Jennifer is a highly sought after skill development instructor AND a fabulous female business owner. Competitive Edge Skating is the result of Jennifer’s commitment and passion to developing a company where athletes are provided everything they need to reach their highest level of performance.
Everyone who signs up for the event will receive a PDF version of Jennifer’s inspirational book, Building an Uncommon Champion: Help Your Child Redefine Success. Jennifer’s goal is to spread this message as much as possible to help change how coaches, teachers and mentors interact with this younger generation, and to help eradicate bullying.
Stay tuned for more details as your Hometown gals, Dawn and Leslie, plan this free event for YOU.
Tour de Livingston Celebration Luncheon!
Hometown Bicycles was honored at the Tour de Livingston Celebration Luncheon this past Monday, February 4th, along with the many wonderful sponsors who supported the 2018 event.
A good time was had by all… delicious food, camaraderie, and an overview of how the funds raised help so many in our local community… all wonderful things.
Some of our Jersey Riders were present and received awards for their participation. Pictured below from left to right: Joe Ostervik, Neal Glazebrook, Jacob Henrikson and Adam Baranski.
Thank you to each and every one of our Team Hometown riders for being part of the Tour. You represent us so well and we are really proud to call you our own! Save the Date! 2019 Tour de Livingston Sunday, October 6
Upcoming Community Room Events and Happenings!
Health Workshop! Join Dr. Kyle Conn from Lifetime Family Chiropractic for Sports Performance 101: What the experts won’t tell you about enhancing your performance naturally. Wednesday, February 13 7-8 PM
This health workshop is FREE and open to the community. Click here to sign up!
New class offering! intenSati with Dawn Gaden, RYT
Bring a mat and bring a friend for FREE to the kickoff class on Sunday, February 24th from 10-11 AM.
What is intenSati? A combination of movement, music, voice and stillness to create a powerful transforming experience. Tap into your full potential with Dawn, one of only a handful of intenSati instructors in the state of Michigan.
Come one, come all… and invite your friends… to our fun-filled, educational bike clinics. Did we mention they are FREE?
Winter blues? Forget about it! You’ll be too busy learning cool bike stuff!
The turnout for this year’s clinics has been AH-MA-ZING! Lots of folks have signed up and will be braving the cold tonight, but we have room for plenty more of you!
What’s on tonight’s agenda? Shaun will cover tips and tricks to maintain your bikeAFTERyou hit the roads and trails. The same clinic will repeat Saturday afternoon. SIGN UP HERE!
And here is the schedule of upcoming clinics! Early registration is appreciated. Click each registration link for the clinic(s) you’d like to attend.
You’ve seen us talk about it on Facebook this week… and today is the ** FINAL DAY **to take advantage of our Snow Days Special. Who wants $10 in Fun Money? Who is brave enough to look Mother Nature in the eye and say, you can’t stop me?
Bring in your bike for a tune-up and receive a $10 coupon to use toward bikes, parts or accessories.
Drop off before closing today… for those of you signed up for tonight’s clinic, how convenient! Get your bike serviced before the mad rush of spring and be ready to roll.
Sponsor Feature: Getting to Know Michigan Financial Planning!
Meet Kevin Brennan!
How did you get into riding? I got into riding in 2013 to try and shed some pounds! I would primarily ride in Kensington until I found myself doing the loop 3 or 4 times. I lost over 60 pounds and now I just love to ride for fun.
Tell us what sets your business apart from your competitors. What differentiates Michigan Financial Planning is our focus on families. In financial services, it is common for people to primarily work with pre-retirees and retirees. We provide families with the services and support to simplify their financial lives and focus on what’s important. Like going for a family bike ride!
What are your hobbies and interests? And do you have a favorite place to ride in Michigan? I love to go camping with my family and most outdoor activities — biking, running and skiing. It is hard to just choose one trail, but I could narrow it down to two — Sleeping Bear Heritage Bike Trail and the Betsie Valley Bike Trail.
As a sponsor, what are your hopes for Team Hometown? From the time I met Shaun and Dawn, I could tell they were great people who were passionate about their business and cared a lot about their customers. I am excited to partner because I think we are both family-oriented businesses that are community-minded.
Imagine a sunny day in June (trust us, we know it’s hard right now)… Hometown Bicycles and Michigan Financial Planning are riding up awareness for families’ physical and financial health! Come on out and enjoy a fun day with the family on the paved or mountain bike trails at Settlers Park. Save the Date: Saturday, June 8th from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Fat Tire Bikes: We rent ’em, you ride ’em!
That’s right! We have a whole fleet of fat tire bikes available for YOU! Whether you want to try out one of our Saturday Fat Bike Friendly rides, rent for a day, or rent for several days, we can meet your needs… fat bikes in every size! Rental Rates: $25 for one ride $50 for same day (return before shop closes) $120 for 3 days $200 for 5 days We bike snow. We bike cold. We bike wind. We bike mild, spring-like winter days. We bike it ALL! This Saturday’s Fat Bike Friendly Ride:We are taking it to the groomed trails of the DTE Foundation Trail this week. You will need a Fat Bike with tires wider than 3.8″ for this ride. Pressures will be set to about 3 psi. We are looking at temps starting out around 15 deg F, so dress accordingly! Meet at the M52 trailhead at 9:45 AM; we will roll at 10:00 AM. (17819 Stockbridge-Chelsea Road in Chelsea) We will have two separate groups to accommodate all skill levels. The A group will be riding the entire system this week. The B group is TBD. If you have not filled out a waiver for 2019 it will be necessary to do so. There will be some available at the trailhead.
Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Event:
Tuesday, March 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM
The evening will be chock full of fun and invaluable information to help the young women in our lives explore and develop their entrepreneurial talents. If you are a middle school or high school student, or a young woman in her late teens/early 20’s, who is interested in starting your own business (or already have!), you will not want to miss our Young Women’s Entrepreneurship event.
We are super stoked to announce our guest speaker for this GIRL POWER event: Jennifer Matras, Owner and Hea
With over 25 years of skating and training experience, Jennifer is a highly sought after skill development instructor AND a fabulous female business owner. Competitive Edge Skating is the result of Jennifer’s commitment and passion to developing a company where athletes are provided everything they need to reach their highest level of performance.
You will be blown away by her story — beginning skating lessons at age three, a 14-year figure skating career, becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Exercise Physiologist, coaching hockey, being a successful entrepreneur, publishing a book, and so much more!
Stay tuned for more details as your Hometown gals, Dawn and Leslie, plan this free event for YOU.
Meet Your Team Captains, Part Two: Joe Ostervik!
How did you get into riding? I was one year out of quitting/retiring from my construction job of 25 years (May 2012) just to run my entertainment company Mobile Rhythm Entertainment. I wanted to do something, so I looked at my bike hanging with lots of dust on it and I said “I’ll go ride!” So I rode 4 miles and I thought I was going to die!! LOL but stuck with it. By the end of the summer, I had a new road bike and I was riding 20-25 miles. The next summer (2014), I heard about the Tour de Livingston and wanted to do the 62 mile ride. Trained with my great friend Adam and we had a blast, and the next year rode several century rides and races. In March 2015, I bought a mountain bike for the Barry-Roubaix race because I wasn’t sure what it was all about. Didn’t really want to do trails or anything because I didn’t want to get hurt, but I went on my first Hometown shop ride in April 2015 and got addicted!
What are your hopes for Team Hometown this year? Meet a lot of new people and help get more riders on board, or just come to the shop rides and see them grow as a rider. Just represent Hometown and the sport of riding. It’s fun!!!
Do you have a favorite place to ride? I guess my favorite places to ride (because they’re so close) are Kensington and Island Lake — good challenge with all the different hills. For mountain biking, Brighton Rec and Poto trails — they are for sure a challenge.
Anything else you’d like us to know about you… random fun facts? I started my DJ business in 1992 and it’s been growing ever since. In May 2012, I quit my construction job to only do my DJ business, and now I have 5 DJ’s and 4 photo booths. We have been hired to do weddings and all kinds of different events. Haven’t done a funeral yet, but know a few DJ’s who have! JOIN US! We are still receiving requests to join Team Hometown for 2019… it’s not too late! Drop in for an application. The Team store will re-open soon and you’ll have a chance to order your kit!
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays at 6 PM $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 at 6 PM & Thursdays at 9:30 AM $8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more
Zumba GOLD | Fridays at 9:30 AM $8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more
Hometown Bicycles 