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    10595 Grand River Road
    Brighton, MI 48116
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Happy New Year, Bike Clinics & Student Art

Happy New Year from Hometown Bicycles bicycle adventure center!AND WHAT A YEAR THIS WILL BE…

2016 marks the first full year of memory-making, adventure-generating, and blow-your-socks-off-bicycle-servicing in your new Hometown Bicycles Adventure Center. And while we always learn from looking back, this year our focus is on bringing you the ultimate bicycle experience going forward.

In other words, expect great things…

Very Happy New Year wishes to you and your family from your Hometown Crew. Can’t wait to see you Saturday, January 2nd at 9am!

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STUDENT BICYCLE ART THAT SOLD!!!

Brighton High School student bicycle art at Hometown Bicycles
SOLD! Heather is the proud new owner of Ellen Bartush’s bicycle with flowers drawing (left). McKenna Baumker’s cool bicycle map collage was purchased as a surprise Christmas gift (right).

Before Christmas, two of our incredible customers bought two of the uber-talented, Brighton High School students’ bicycle art pieces. SO. AWESOME.

So, congratulations Ellen Bartush and McKenna Baumker on your first art sale at Hometown Bicycles! (Remember, students keep 100% of the proceeds.)

Kudos to BHS art teacher, Maureen Ray, for successfully challenging her students to create!

And THANK YOU to the amazing people who chose to support these students’ artistic endeavors. Who knows what you may have inspired!

Not familiar with our Hometown Bicycles Student Art Program? Learn more about it in our last newsletter!

 

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READY – SET – REGISTER! OUR FREE CLINIC SERIES IS BACK

Hometown Bicycles bike clinics

Winter blues? Forget about it! You’ll be too busy learning cool bike stuff!

Our yearly, FREE, winter clinic series starts January 5th, and this year, we’ve got a whole new Community Room in our whole new Bicycle Adventure Center to take the educational experience to a whole new level.

Early registration is appreciated, so that we can plan ahead on how to make it awesome for everyone. (Click each registration link for the clinics you’d like to attend.)

Bike signBIKE SAFETY & EQUIPMENT – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, January 5 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, January 6 from 6-7pm
Keep you and your bike in one piece! Learn everything from road safety and theft prevention to critical cycling gear.

Airing up bicycle tireBIKE CARE & MAINTENANCE PART 1 – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, January 12 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, January 13 from 6-7pm
In this first of a 2-part clinic, we’ll cover tips and tricks to prep your bike BEFORE you hit the roads and trails.

Cleaning your bicycleBIKE CARE & MAINTENANCE PART 2 – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, January 19 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, January 20 from 6-7pm
In this second of a 2-part clinic, we’ll talk about how to care for your bicycle AFTER you come back from your ride.

Pro-Motion Physical TherapyBIKE FITTING BASICS – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, January 26 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, January 27 from 6-7pm
Guest speaker, Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, will cover bike fit that maximizes efficiency and minimizes discomfort.

Park multi-toolEMERGENCY BIKE REPAIR PART 1 – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, February 2 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, February 3 from 6-7pm
Part 1 of 2, this clinic is hands-on! We’ll cover quick, on-the-go bike fixes to help you avoid a long walk home.

Bicycle wheelEMERGENCY BIKE REPAIR PART 2 – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, February 9 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, February 10 from 6-7pm
Part 2 of 2, this clinic covers the perennial favorite – flat tire fixes! Bring along your wheel for some hands-on practice!

Jamis Bicycles - The Power of DesignWHY JAMIS? – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, February 16 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, February 17 from 6-7pm
A new 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.

Michigan silhouetteWHERE TO RIDE IN MICHIGAN & WITH WHOM – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, February 23 from 12:15-1pm  -OR-  Wednesday, February 24 from 6-7pm
You bought a bike…now what? We’ll share the best parks and routes in Michigan for your cycling Adventures, plus groups you can ride with!

Fat Bikes and Artists

Jean Dishes the Dirt on the New Jamis Roughneck Fat Bike
Jamis Roughneck fat tire bike, photo courtesy Jean Steinberg

Jean Steinberg riding the Jamis Roughneck with friendsWANNA KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE? JEAN WILL TELL YOU…
Our customers are such good sports. We recently paired 29er rider, Jean Steinberg, with a Jamis Roughneck fat bike, challenged her to take her inaugural ride at the “Global Fat Bike Day” event, and then write us a candid review. She said yes.

Fat bike craze is seriously taking the world by storm. We get questions about the sport daily and, in particular, about the Jamis fat bike that we just brought in. Jean’s comments might answer some of your “I wonder…”s:

“What better way to experience my first ride on the JamisRoughneck than joining what appeared to be over 100 other riders at a local “Global Fat Bike Day” ride. I am typically that gal that rides the light full suspension 29er, so this was quite a change for me. I got quite the workout.

I want to thank Hometown Bicycles for helping me blend in at the “Global Fat Bike Day” ride by putting the Jamis Roughneckin my hands. The ride started with a temperature that stubbornly stuck around freezing and barely warmed up until near the endof the trail. I hit the trail behind a few of my “skinny” tire friends and quickly found out how awesome the Roughneck held contact with the trail as I starting chasing to stay on the heels of my friends. Curving and carving through the downhills and sand were effortless. It was the most secure ride I’ve had in ages. It treated the occasional greasy top layer as if it wasn’t even there – absolutely no slippage or sliding on this Fat Bike! The tires shed the dirt incredibly well. My concern was that the tires would cake up and add more weight and resistance to the tire. I was wrong. I also wasn’t experiencing the dirt flying up in my face from the front wheel like some of the other Fat Bike riders. The hubs had that expensive wheel sound and impressed me as they rolled freely along the trail. The gear options were more than ample for the terrain of my ride. I had plenty of gear choices to get me to the top of every climb. The Roughneck was equipped with a nice set of mechanical disc brakes. These brakes were very smooth and responsive. They slowed and stopped the bike effortlessly.

Jamis put a nice package of components on this $1699.99 entry level Fat Bike. One thing I did learn from this experience – don’t expect to stay on the trail with your fast friends on “skinny“ tires. Take the time to enjoy the trail and the ride – it’s a Fat Bike.” 

Fat bikes
(All fat bike photos courtesy of Jean Steinberg)

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BICYCLE ART AT HOMETOWN: DON STRAUSS

Sculptures made of repurposed bicycle parts by Don Strauss

Artist Don Strauss creating one of his sculptures from bicycle partsSince sending out the call for bicycle art, artists from every discipline have been wowing us with their ingenuity. And Don… well, Don is a perfect example. His sculptural pieces, made with repurposed bike parts, have to be seen to be believed. Seriously, put on your jackets and come see his work in person – you’ll be fascinated by his genius!  (photo immediately above courtesy of Don Strauss)

** Christmas Note: These would make beautiful garden art for the gardeners in your life!
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BICYCLE ART AT HOMETOWN: LAUREN PATRELL

Bicycle themed crossbody bag, wristlets, and coin purses by Lauren Patrell of LP by LP
Artist Lauren Patrell of LPbyLP crafting her exquisite bags and purses with repurposed fabricsYou have to know that when not only Dawn, but also SHAUN gets excited about purses, then there’s gotta be something remarkable about them. Artist, Lauren Patrell, is a fellow perfectionist, and does it ever show in her art. Words like “exquisite”, “meticulously crafted”, and “I want one!” spring immediately to mind. Lauren blends repurposed fabrics with new to create something uniquely awesome. Maybe I should get one for Shaun…  (photo at left courtesy Lauren Patrell of Limited Productions by Lauren Patrell)

** Christmas Note: Fellas, think stocking stuffers for your favorite ladies!

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BICYCLE ART AT HOMETOWN: WINNIE CHRZANOWSKI

"Biker Babe" by Winnie Chrzanowski
Artist Winnie Chrzanowski with her adorable assemblage piece, "Biker Babe"The perfect way to round out today’s email is with Winnie’s cheery and cheeky “Biker Babe” assemblage art. Winnie, herself, is as personable and fun as her artwork. We expect her piece to raise a few eyebrows – she’s anything BUT “status quo.” That’s why here at Hometown, we totally dig what “Biker Babe” represents!

** Christmas Note: Who do you know that could use a permanent reason to smile? 🙂

Iceman, a Super-Awesome Day & Trainer-Time

Good Luck, Iceman Riders!

Iceman Cometh Challenge logo
 MUD, GUTS, AND GLORY…

May the force be with all of you adventurous Hometownies who are racing for glory at tomorrow’s Iceman Cometh Challenge. So many of you dropped by for our Pre-Iceman Tune-Up Special, and we’re confident that your trusty steeds are up for the challenge. Now it’s up to YOU to give your bicycle wings!

While we’re bummed not to be attending this year’s Iceman, we’ll definitely be rocking some Brighton-based cheerleading for all of you racers. Missing us? Just look for fellow hard-to-miss Hometown jersey riders, and know that you’ve got an instant friend.

And remember, if Iceman “effs” your bike, all is not lost! CLICK HERE to print the Hometown Bicycles’ “Iceman Effed My Bike Tune-Up” coupon, good through the entire month of November.

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TOM H.’S SUPER-AWESOME DAY

Tom H with the Jamis bike - donated by Hometown Bicycles - that he won at Tour de Livingston

(Congrats, Tom!)

Tom rocked 100 miles at this year’s Tour de Livingston AND won the raffle for the Jamis bike that we donated to the event. Now THAT’S a super-awesome day! Here’s what Tom has to say about it:

“I have done the Tour de Livingston two years.  I waited until I had a suitable bike (my cross bike) before I rode it.  If I was to ride it, I wanted to do the whole 100 miles.

I connected with Hometown Bikes when Shaun moved from his previous bike shop job in Brighton. He was always great with the customers at that shop. My brother informed me that he took a bike to get repaired at Shaun’s little shop (the repair only edition). So I started to use Shaun for tune ups and repairs.

I was actually shocked when I heard Shaun call my name for the bike. For a moment I thought he was kidding, or I had not heard it correctly. It really took me the whole morning to process it. I had been trying to figure out ways to convert my cross bike to be more road friendly. With my kids, I really don’t have the money right now to buy a good road bike. I just figured I would eventually get one in a few years or so. So this just really makes it more sweet.

My plans for the new bike are to take it on a few more road events (I really enjoy them). I still mountain bike primarily (though my mileage for the year doesn’t say so). Eventually I will make it back out to Ragbrai some year, and I will definitely ride the road bike and not suffer across Iowa with my cross bike.

Thanks again Shaun and Dawn!

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CycleOps Trainers at Hometown Bicycles bicycle adventure center
STOP!! TRAINER-TIME…

OK, so the reality of Michigan cycling is that outdoor winter cycling is not for everyone. But INDOOR winter cycling… now that’s a different matter entirely. We’ve got trainers stocked and ready for pedal-powered action. Stop in and check ’em out!

 

Welcome to Your New Hometown Bicycles

IT’S TODAY!

And tomorrow, too!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY  •  OCT. 17 & 18  •  9AM – 5PM

The New Hometown Bicycles Adventure Center NOW OPEN