MI’s Best, Thule, and Triathlons 101

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Shaun

One of MI’s Best Bike Shops!

TURNS OUT WE’RE “A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK”!
Guess which local bike shop made the list of The 10 BEST BIKE SHOPS IN MICHIGAN?!

We’re snapping our bib shorts suspenders with pride at seeing Hometown Bicycles rocking another Best Bike Shop list. This particular accolade can be found on the Best Things MI website.

Our favorite review from the site: “Stop in if you want to be treated like family. This place is a needle in a hay stack of bike shops. Truly an awesome experience. Great selection too!” ~ James R.

Thank you, James! Thank you, Best Things MI! And thank-you-thank-you-thank-you, loyal Hometownies!!

(Bottom 2 images – beer on the podium and Doug Queener catching air – © Jack Kunnen Photography.)

TEAM TIME TRIAL AT YANKEE SPRINGS

In the continuing saga of Team Hometown’s awesome adventures, last weekend found a fantastic five Hometownies racing the Yankee Springs Time Trial. Congratulations to Team member Scott Simpson for his 3rd place finish in Elite Expert single speed class! There were a couple other near-podium-experiences at this event – especially impressive as it’s “one of the largest and longest running time trial races in the Midwest”!

“TRIATHLON 101” CLINIC WITH AMY GLUCK

Let’s be real, here… a good majority of cyclists flirt with the idea of triathlons. They may or may not admit it to anyone, but there is something inherently intriguing about spanning the sports in one, body-and-mind-challenging event.

Hometown’s Amy Gluck has a history in IRONMAN competition, and is back in triathlon training following a life-altering accident. With her background in health and nutrition, an IRONMAN Coaching Certification, and a head-over-heels passion for tri’s, Amy is the perfect person to kick off this newest Hometown clinic.

If you’re on the fence about whether to try a tri, are new to the tri community, or are simply eager to pick up tips from a pro, this info-gathering clinic is for you! NO CHARGE and two days to choose from!
CLICK TO REGISTER FOR TRIATHLON 101 WITH AMY GLUCK
Tuesday, May 9th at 6pm – OR – Thursday, May 11th at 6pm
(in the Hometown Bicycles Community Room)

WE’RE NOW YOUR AUTHORIZED THULE DEALER

You’ve been asking, and we’re answering – all of you Thule-lovin’ Hometownies can now get your Thule racks right here at YOUR bike shop.

BASEBALL AND BICYCLES

Sounds like the title to an insanely cool new sport, doesn’t it? Anyone up to the challenge?
Actually, this is about the Brighton Bulldogs Baseball Travel Team that we are proudly sponsoring this year. In newsletters past, we promised a game schedule… a promise I can now deliver on! Shaun and I are looking forward to catching a game (and maybe a wayward ball?) at one of their local ballgames. We’d love to see you there!

CLICK HERE TO PICK A DAY TO CHEER ON THESE TALENTED KIDS

TOUR DE LIVINGSTON SAVE-THE-DATE

It’s almost like a countdown to Christmas! This scenic, local ride is a gift in so many ways – to the riders, to the Community, and to cycling at large. Be sure to mark it down now in your calendars as a 2017 must-ride! Visit their new website for details.

COMING THIS SUMMER TO A FRONT LAWN NEAR YOU…

Hometown’s lawn will soon be playing host to a fast-paced, Fresh Air Fitness class from our long-standing Team Sponsor Body Within. This mid-June class will be specifically designed to get your ride muscles in top form!

Interested? Good! Stay tuned for dates and details, or call Chris at (517) 304-2282 if you’re too excited to wait and need to learn more NOW!

(Last Sunday’s Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride was a hit, with gorgeous weather and new faces – welcome! This Sunday is the last time we’ll be “exploring” Island Lake singletrack, before we move on to new trails and new adventures. Don’t miss out on riding a classic… join us!)

HOMETOWN BICYCLES UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

THURSDAY SOCIAL ROAD RIDE (4/27)
10:00AM (meet at 9:45) from Hometown Bicycles
If the rain holds off, come check out the popular Thursday morning Social Road ride as we hit the back entrance to Island Lake and explore the 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.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (4/28)
8:30PM (meet at 8:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Join us for an evening expedition onto Island Lake’s Blue/Yellow loops at an INTERMEDIATE pace. Make sure your lights are charged, as darkness may catch up to us on our 1.5-hour ride. We will re-group throughout the trail. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged.

SATURDAY BEGINNER ROAD RIDE (4/29)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hometown Bicycles
Come grow with this weekly ride as we start out aiming for 10 – 15 miles and expand as the weeks roll by. Route will be on the park roads. Road bikes are preferred for this ride. All level riders are welcome. Weather could go either way, so be sure to check on Facebook for a pre-ride update!

SUNDAY GRAVEL GRINDER (4/30)
9:00AM (meet at 8:45) from Hartland Twp Hall
This week’s gravel ride along beautiful, rolling, country roads, will ease you in with a shorter, flatter route than normal, and ~ 3 miles of pavement (large shoulder on about half). Expect to venture across 29 miles with a 13-15 mph, NO-DROP pace. All bikes are welcome. Meet in lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive): 2655 Clark Rd, Hartland, MI 48353.

SUNDAY EXPLORING TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE (4/30)
4:30PM (meet at 4:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a Beginner Friendly mountain bike trail ride which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. We’ll ride to the back of Island Lake and explore 9 – 15 miles of singletrack. Save 1.5 hours of your day to ride with the Hometown crew. All levels of riders are welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. **Location will rotate in future – check on start locations weekly**

MONDAY BEGINNER FRIENDLY ROAD RIDE (5/1)
Sponsored by Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
This is a NO DROP Beginner Friendly road ride. We’ll be traveling the Island Lakes park roads to the well-known “Green Dumpster” and back. ~ 12 – 15 miles. Sound like too much for you? No worries – there will be an early turn-back option for a little less mileage. Bring a light if you have one, though we’re not expecting to need them. Road bikes recommended. All level riders are welcome.
WEDNESDAY HAMMERFEST (5/2) – THIS IS A DROP RIDE!
6:30PM (meet at 6:15) from Hometown Bicycles
Bring your “A” game, and see if you can stay on this crazy train of talented individuals as they push each other to find new limits. You’ll want the fastest road bike you own, as the pace averages 20 mph through 2 laps (40 miles) of the roads of Island Lake. Expect the flats pace to range 24 – 28 mph!

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

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K

Spring Snowman 5K Run/Walk is hosted by the Eric Hartwell Foundation, a remarkable organization created by the Hartwell Family (a particularly awesome group of Hometownies) to raise money to “directly support children, diagnosed with Leukemia and other blood disorders, being treated at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.” Participants have a chance to win a Jamis bike, donated by Hometown Bicycles. Great cause. Great cross-training. Great prize.

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.

– Henry Rollins

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: adventures, Amy Gluck, authorized Thule Dealer, baseball, Best Bike Shop in MI, Best Things MI, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike repair, bike rides, bike shop, bikes, Body Within, Brighton, brighton bulldogs, Chris and Jenny Schild, clinic, coaching, community, Community Room, competition, Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride, fat bikes, fitness class, Fresh Air Fitness, group rides, Hammerfest, Henry Rollins, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, Ironman, livingston county, Michigan, Midwest, mountain bikes, needle in a haystack, night ride, night riding, Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, race, road bikes, save the date, Scott Simpson, shop rides, Spring Snowman 5K, Team Hometown Bicycles, Thule, Tour de Livingston, travel team, tri clinic, triathlon, Triathlon 101, Yankee Springs Time Trial | Leave a comment »

Easter Egg Hunt at Hometown, Tri Training, and Bike Patrol

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Shaun

APRIL 15: Hometown’s 7th Birthday

EASTER EGG HUNT, DOOR PRIZES, DEALS, FAMILY RIDE, FOOD & COMPETITION
We’ve had some exceptional events in our time, but a 7th birthday for Hometown Bicycles… now THAT deserves something on the scale of momentous!

Details are coming in next week’s newsletter, but some highlights you can expect for this Saturday, April 15th event include door prizes, an Easter Egg Hunt for kids AND adults, food, a family road ride, announcement of the Jr. Hometownie T-Shirt Contest Winner (see below), deals, the unveiling of the 10 BICYCLES WE ARE DONATING to this year’s 10th Anniversary Tour de Livingston, and a chance to make your mark (literally) on Hometown!!

Did some of that sound mysterious? Good! Come see what all the excitement’s about. A birthday party just isn’t the same without family, and that means we want YOU there!

REMINDER: JR. HOMETOWNIE T-SHIRT CONTEST

Remember, Hometownies, have your preschool – 5th grader paint or sketch up a fun and colorful t-shirt design (no larger than 8″ x 8″), that includes the following:

A hand-drawn or hand-painted Hometown logo
The words: “I’m a Jr. Hometownie!” (Mom and Dad can help, if needed)
Any other bicycle-related art that your young Hometownie is inspired to create!

Bring in their entry by Monday, April 10th to proudly display in our Community Room for the rest of the month!

The winner will be announced at our April 15th event, 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 acknowledged on our website.

(Cute kiddie graphic above courtesy www.clipartfest.com)

BULLDOG PRIDE AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

At Hometown, we’re big on activities that involve fitness, family, and the great outdoors, so you can imagine how geeked we are to be Sponsors of the 2017 Brighton Bulldogs Travel Baseball Team. Last night, they met in our Community Room to prep for a stellar season, and impressed the socks off of us with their energetic camaraderie and good manners… plus, they were genuinely kind to Liam, which wins them bonus brownie points in this mama’s book! Stay tuned for a list of their games.

So, now we’ve hosted Bulldogs Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, and Art in our Community Room – yep, we’re definitely feeling Bulldog Pride! Have a Team, Troop, or other group that needs a meet-up spot? Email events@myhometownbicycles.com for Community Room reservations – it’s free for non-profits!

(Photo © and courtesy Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp)

HOMETOWN ♥s HAMBURG FITNESS TRIATHLON CLUB

We know our tri-geared Hometownies are getting the “brick” bug as the months creep toward triathlon season. That’s why we’re teaming up with Team Hometown Sponsor Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp to take their much-loved Triathlon Club to the next level of awesome!

We’re chipping in gift certificates for motivation, transition training to maximize your swim-to-bike/bike-to-run efficiency, and Hometown’s own Amy Gluck will be imparting expert advice from her Ironman background.

TRI Club Memberships are available for non-members (810-231-4169 for details). You can also join Run Club with Pro Triathlete and Personal Trainer Ryan Rau (call 734-476-4444). I speak from personal experience when I say that his run input can be a game changer!

Join Hometown and your fellow triathletes at the Club’s first informational meeting on April 11th, 6PM at Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp.

(Photo © and courtesy Randy Kessler and Motor City Mountain Biking Association)

BE A HERO: BIKE PATROL TRAINING AT HOMETOWN

It takes a first class sort of person to step up and actively seek ways to support fellow cyclists and, as it so happens, that’s exactly what Hometownies are… first class! So, if you’ve got it in you to give back to the cycling community, here’s an opportunity happening right here at Hometown THIS SATURDAY, April 8th (limited space, so register now!):

Like to Ride? Like to help people? The National Mountain Bike Patrol may be for you…

The mission of the Mountain Bike Patrol boils down to:
• Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies
• Educate trail users of proper etiquette
• Inform land managers, land owners, trail coordinators

For detailed requirements and/or to register for training, contact Randy at bikepatrol@mcmba.org.

(Team member Joe [left] and Service Lead Andrew [right] set up and eat up at the Sportsman’s Banquet)

SHAUN LEARNS TAXIDERMY

Well, not quite – but he sure learned a lot about it from fellow sponsor and skilled artist Tom Stombaugh of Anything That Moves Taxidermy at Brighton Nazarene Church Sportsman’s Banquet.

Our fellas dined on venison, oggled weaponry, talked taxidermy and bikes, and (I personally suspect) grunted like Tim Allen. It was definitely one of the more unique events in which Hometown has participated. Shout out to “The Naz” for this manly opportunity!

(Photo courtesy Jacob Henriksen)

Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride – THIS SUNDAY

SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH – 4:30 P.M. – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Our Fat Bike Friendly Shop Rides have come to a close for the season to make way for our Spring shop ride, Exploring Trails. This is a NO-DROP, beginner friendly mountain bike trail ride – FAT BIKES WELCOME! – which will encourage riders to visit new trails as their skill level increases. If Poto is your goal, this is the weekly ride to get you there by the end of the season! Save 1.5 hours of your day to cover 12 – 16 miles of trail.

Weather dependent – we don’t want to mess up the trails if they’re mucky! Be sure to FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK for ride confirmation and details.

CRAZY HARE-BRAINED TOUR – APRIL 15TH

What a great name! Hometown is thrilled to be supporting this Michigan cycling event. Hosted by Hometown Winter Clinic Series guest speaker, Bike Tour Vacations, LLC…

“The Crazy Hare-brained Tour is a fundraiser to help cover touring expenses for 3 Northern Michigan University students as they cycle 1,400 miles around Lake Superior in May.

Our event is up to 40 miles of 100% traffic-free trail riding for road bikes, and up to 30 miles of 100% traffic-free dirt riding for mountain bikes. All ages are welcome, 9 a.m. at Atchison Park in New Hudson.”

Winning raffle tickets will be drawn at event sponsor Draught Horse Brew Pub around 1PM.

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – ISLAND LAKE BIKE DEMO DAY

The MCMBA has put a call out for Demo Day volunteers for this wonderfully popular Spring cyclists’ event. (Hometown will be there!) Running May 6th at the ILRA Spring Mill Pond, you can volunteer for everything from setup and registration, to parking and grilling. They write:

The Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day is now in it’s 12th year. This is the second year the event is put on free of charge by the MCMBA. It’s a great chance to talk face to face with people who live the life: building, riding, and maintaining the bikes you want to own. Take a few out for a test ride on the roads and trails at Island Lake, finding the perfect bike or bikes for you.

CLICK HERE to throw your hat into the volunteer ring!

Great minds ride
a bike.

– Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 7th Anniversary, Anything That Moves Taxidermy, art, Bicycle Adventure Center, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike ride, bike shop, Bike Tour Vacations, bikes, birthday, birthday party, brick, Brighton, brighton bulldogs, Brighton Nazarene Church, celebration, children, Community Room, Crazy Hare-Brained Tour, cycling, cyclists, deals, donating, door prizes, Draught Horse Brew Pub, easter egg hunt, Eric Hartwell Foundation, event, Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride, family, family bike ride, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bikes, fitness, football, group ride, hamburg fitness center, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownie, Island Lake Bike Demo Day, Jr. Hometownie, kids, lacrosse, livingston county, LLC, MCMBA, Michigan, Motor City Mountain Biking Association, mountain biking, National Mountain Bike Patrol, non-profits, Poto, Randy Kessler, Run Club, Ryan Rau, shop ride, Sportsman's Banquet, spring, Spring Snowman 5K, taxidermy, team sponsor, the Naz, Tim Allen, Tom Stombaugh, Tour de Livingston, trails, training, transition, travel baseball, Tri Club, triathletes, triathlon, Triathlon Club, tshirt contest, volunteering, volunteers | Leave a comment »

T-Shirt Competition, Trail C.P.R., and Podiums at Barry

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Shaun

Jr. Hometownie T-Shirt Competition

WITH HOMETOWN’S 7TH ANNIVERSARY JUST AROUND THE CORNER, we’ve got some coolness in the works… including a t-shirt art competition for our junior Hometownies! Here’s the scoop…

Have your preschool – 5th grader paint or sketch up a fun and colorful t-shirt design (no larger than 8″ x 8″), that includes the following:

A hand-drawn or hand-painted Hometown logo
The words: “I’m a Jr. Hometownie!” (Mom and Dad can help, if needed)
Any other bicycle-related art that your young Hometownie is inspired to create!

Bring in their entry by Monday, April 10th to proudly display in our Community Room for the rest of the month!

The winner will be announced at our 7th Anniversary event on April 15th (details coming soon!), and their winning design will grace a limited edition run of Jr. Hometownie t-shirts! How cool is that?!?

In addition to bragging rights, your school-age winner will also receive a complimentary Jr. Hometownie t-shirt, and will be featured in our weekly newsletter and website! ALL participants will receive an official Hometown sticker, and be acknowledged on our website. We can’t wait to see what your talented, pint-size Hometownies create!!

(Cute kiddie graphic above courtesy www.clipartfest.com)

JAMIS COUPON FOR CYCLISTS WHO ENTERED BIKEPACKING CONTEST

Okay, so, you didn’t win the pair of Dragonslayers in Jamis’ recent bikepacking contest. But you still get a perk for entering!

Check your email for a special offer from Jamis for 10% off MSRP on up to two new 2017 model Jamis bicycles! Special orders included. Just bring in the unique coupon code provided in your email. What a great opportunity to become part of the Jamis/Hometown family!

TEAM HOMETOWN BIKES THE BARRY

It was another Team Triumph over Ma Nature at last weekend’s Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race!

Placing 2nd overall, 14 Team Hometown riders squelched through muck and cold to a glorious podium finish – only a little over a minute shy of 1st place! Special kudos to riders Mark Lang and Jim Cleer (see above), who took 2nd and 5th consecutively in their age division. Plus a Hometown huzzah to Jack Riddle who, although too under the weather to ride, still made the drive to support his Team. WOW! Awesome job, Team!

HOMETOWN TRAIL C.P.R.

Following what we’ve dubbed The Great Wind Storm of ’17, our shop trails were littered with branches and debris. But with their usual good spirits and can-do attitude, our Team breathed new life into Hometown’s damaged single track.

Thanks, Jean Steinberg (Hometown’s Ride Coordinator), for getting this ball rolling. And Tom Hermann (who spearheaded the effort), you are a total rockstar! Plus a million thanks to the wonderful Team members who rallied to the cause. Come out and ride their handiwork!
(Ed got an early start on trail clean-up – thanks, Ed!)

SPRING SHOP RIDES – COMING SOON!

We’re just waiting for the weather to break to unleash the flood of fantastic shop ride opportunities that you’ll be enjoying this Spring!

Want to start selecting some “must-try”s for your “wanna-ride” list? Click the PDF at left for a printable preview of the awesomeness to come. Details may change – be sure to watch our newsletters and Facebook for ride updates and information. Pedal on, Hometownies, pedal on.

SHAUN EATS ELK

Shaun will be channeling his inner caveman at this weekend’s Brighton Nazarene Church Sportsman’s Banquet, hosted by their Men’s Ministry. Hometown is a proud supporter of this manly, April 1st event which, in turn, supports building projects “that promote community and family”. Two of our favorite things!

The event includes a wild game dinner, raffles, silent auction, and a world-renowned key note speaker. Gentlemen Hometownies, you can join Shaun by ordering tickets at www.thenaz.org or get further details on their Facebook events page.

(Image courtesy Bike Tour Vacations, LLC)

CRAZY HARE-BRAINED TOUR – APRIL 15TH

What a great name! Hometown is thrilled to also be supporting this Michigan cycling event. Hosted by Hometown Winter Clinic Series guest speaker, Bike Tour Vacations, LLC…

“The Crazy Hare-brained Tour is a fundraiser to help cover touring expenses for 3 Northern Michigan University students as they cycle 1,400 miles around Lake Superior in May.

Winning raffle tickets will be drawn at event sponsor Draught Horse Brew Pub around 1 p.m. CLICK HERE to register for the Crazy Hare-Brained Tour!

POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – REGISTRATION FULL!!!

It sure didn’t take long for registration to fill up on this “triathlon” of a different color!

Missed your chance? Don’t worry – it’s looking increasingly likely that this won’t be the last Poses, Pedals & Pints for you to participate in this season! Stay tuned…

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K – CROSS-TRAINING THAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

Hometown Bicycles Service Tech Jerry Cross

MEET YOUR CREW: JERRY CROSS

If you look up “nice guy” in the dictionary, you’ll spot a photo of skilled Service Tech Jerry. He’s frequently accompanied by his equally likable dog, who customers can’t help but love. Jerry says:

I have been riding bikes since I was five. I started working at a bike shop after I graduated. Bought my first Mountain bike and was instantly hooked. I have completed over 50 races, from 5 to 100 mile rides. Bikes have always been a big part of my life.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – ISLAND LAKE BIKE DEMO DAY

CLICK HERE to throw your hat into the volunteer ring!

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES @ 9:45 A.M.
No foolin’ around – this ride is a classic! Join us for an April Fool’s Day 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. As always, follow us on Facebook for ride confirmations and updates.

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

I just need to ride my bike.

– Emily Rooney

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 7th Anniversary, art competition, badlands, Barry Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race, bicycle shop, bicycles, bicycling, bike repair, bike shop, bike tour, Bike Tour Vacations, bikepacking contest, bikes, bragging rights, Brighton, Brighton Nazaren Church, C.P.R., C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital, community, Community Room, contest, Crazy Hare-Brained Tour, cycling, cyclists, Draught Horse Brew Pub, Eric Hartwell Foundation, family, fat bike friendly ride, fatbike, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown shop rides, Hometownie, Island Lake Recreation Area, Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day, Jack Riddle, Jamis Bicycles, Jamis Bikes, Jean Steinberg, Jim Cleer, junior, kids art contest, manly, Mark Lang, MCMBA, Men's Ministry, Michigan, Northern Michigan University, podium, Poses Pedals and Pints, riders, shop rides, singletrack, Sportsman's Banquet, spring rides, Spring Snowman 5K, students, t-shirts, Team Hometown Bicycles, The Great Wind Storm of '17, the Naz, Tom Hermann, trail, triathlon, volunteers | Leave a comment »

Hometownies, here’s your Team!

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Shaun

(Above: Many of our Team riders from last weekend’s Team Night Kit Pick-Up Party)

WE’RE REMARKABLY PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO TEAM HOMETOWN BICYCLES 2017! These 56 riders have taken up the challenge to positively represent your bike shop and your sport in our community and in competition.

We want you to know that each of these riders has committed to being the best version of themselves, to advocate for cycling, to do right by their community, to ride with sportsmanship and integrity, to be kind, welcoming, and helpful, and to HAVE FUN!

So the next time you run into a Team member, please, shake their hand… they’re on a mission to support and grow the sport you love, and to give cyclists a good name!!

OUR TEAM BATTLES WATERLOO

No Napoleon Complexes here… just a bunch of sturdy Team survivors, who cycled the slick and sloppy roads of last weekend’s Waterloo G&G Gravel Road Race. There were a few spills and sore muscles but, in true Hometown form, nothing could dampen Team spirits – 10 Team members rocked it on the course, and two even podiumed this insanely popular race! Way to go, Team!

Roger Pelkey, congratulations on powering into 3rd in your age division!

And Deb Godmer (of Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp… have we mentioned how cool our Team Sponsors are?!) placed 2nd in her age division – and this was her first 50K mountain bike race!!

(Image courtesy Joe Van Gordon)

OUR TEAM THAWS OUT AT MELTING MANN

Team member, Joe Van Gordon, took Hometown to Vandalia, MI the day after Waterloo to race the roads at Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge. Way to represent, Joe!

Joe’s volunteered himself to lead a Hometown singles ride, if there’s enough interest. Any takers??

(Images at left courtesy Amy Gluck)

MEET YOUR CREW: AMY GLUCK

The newest member of our crew is the big-hearted Amy Gluck, who you’ll spot strolling the sales floor and up at the register. Amy will also be helping us grow our involvement in triathlon and women’s cycling. She has a particularly remarkable story to tell:

I’ve loved Hometown since my first trip there…..from Island Lake….in need of a spare tube….in the middle of a long ride….

I was taken over by cycling following my unexpected addiction to triathlon. Now I’ve completed 9 Ironmans, with 5 Kona qualifications, numerous 1/2 Ironmans, and even more sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. I’ve tried time trialing in Hines Park, but it didn’t give me the same satisfaction as triathlon. That’s probably because running was always my strength in triathlon.

Until a day that changed my life forever. After a week of training in France on numerous climbs from the Tour. Followed by a killer training camp down in the mountains in Georgia. I was sure to be in my best shape for Kona ever in my life! However, 4 weeks before Kona, while I was out on a training ride, I was hit by a semi who made an illegal left turn right into me.

This resulted in a fake hip, femur, and knee. Killing my running game altogether. I’m working on getting that back and I’ve competed in a few 1/2 IM Aquabikes (swim, bike) this past summer. This summer, I plan to do a few sprint distance triathlons at Island Lake (the T-Rex Series). Hoping that comes back so I can work my way back to longer distance triathlons. In order for me to get back to my longer distance triathlons, I’m going to need to get back in the habit of riding with groups of riders so I always have someone to ride with! So Hometownies, I NEED YOU to help pull me back up to where I belong!

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K – CROSS-TRAINING THAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

HERE’S AN EVENT TO WET YOUR WHISTLE…

Poses, Pedals & Pints on Saturday, May 13th
It’s a triathlon of a different color – yoga, bikes, and beer with a laid back vibe in Downtown Brighton. Yoga commences at 11am at Brewery Becker. Hometown’s in charge of the leisurely 8-mile bike ride that follows, along with bike valet service. And it all concludes with a refreshing pint at the Brewery to cool your gullet.

It’s already over half filled, so sign up NOW, to ensure your participation in this first annual event!

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, MARCH 25 – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES @ 12:45 P.M.
We’re back with 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. As always, follow us on Facebook for ride confirmations and updates.

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

I don’t have a bucket list, but my bikeit list is a mile long.

– Anonymous

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: advocate, Amy Gluck, bicycle shop, bicycles, bicycling, bike race, bike shop, bike team, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, community, competition, cycling, cyclists, Deb Godmer, Eric Hartwell Foundation, Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride, fat bikes, group rides, Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown crew, integrity, Ironman, Joe Van Gordon, Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge, Michigan, P3, podium, Poses Pedals and Pints, racers, riders, Roger Pelkey, shop rides, singles ride, sportsmanship, Spring Snowman 5K, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tocca Massage and Yoga, triathlon, Waterloo G and G Gravel Road Race | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Hometown Bicycles

Visit Our Store!

Write a Review

Become a Fan!

Fun Emails!

Since We Opened

Overall Repair Count

Hometown Bicycles

Visit Our Store!