A Team to Write Home-townies About
LET ME TELL YOU WHAT YOUR TEAM DID…
Last weekend marked the first annual Team Picnic social, held at the beautiful Riverbend picnic area in Island Lake. Our Team gathered for an afternoon of cycling, potluck, grilling, socializing… and astonishing me and Shaun! With Bond-ian stealth, our Team coordinated a surprise 8th birthday gift for Hometown Bicycles – an emergency defibrillator wall unit – and presented it at the picnic. Thanks for the brilliant addition to our shop, Team – we’re feelin’ the love… and it’s mutual!
Key players: Team Social Sponsor, Sean Lowry of Lowry Solutions (top left), was the catalyst behind this event, and we were thrilled to meet his growing family. (Thanks again, Sean!) A Hometown favorite and long-standing, outstanding Service Lead Andrew (top middle) dropped by between grad parties to hang with his Hometownies. Grill masters Steve (bottom left) and Jim (bottom middle) were heroes to all of us hungry cyclists. Our awesome Ride Coordinator, Laura (bottom right), was mastermind and MC for this event. And a shout out goes to Hometown’s newest Events Coordinator and long-time Zumba queen, Leslie, for leaping in head first to set up one seriously successful picnic!
TEAM NEWS: HANSON HILLS, T-SHIRT RIDE & CYCLISTS GONE FISHIN’
Missing the Team picnic in the line of duty (i.e. representing in the Hometown kit), our thanks and kudos goes to Linc Wehrly, who placed a respectable 5th at Hanson Hills Challenge Mountain Bike Race up in Grayling.
Team Co-Captain Jim Cleer toured Grand Ledge in his unmistakably Hometown apparel at the annual Tri-County Bicycle Association T-Shirt Ride.
And Steve Wortley did some lake-side promotion, wearing his Team gear for a recent fishing trip. Must have brought him some good luck, too, by the looks of it. Nice catch, Steve!
Thanks for spreading the love, Team!
TOMORROW (6/10): TAKE A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING!
What could make a more perfect Sunday than to rev up the next generation of cyclists with a day devoted solely to making mountain biking fun for kids!
We ♥ ♥ ♥ the PotoMBA’s annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebration and event. There’s food, families, trail fun, and Hometown will be there, proudly supporting the creation of future cycling fanatics! We’ve been honored to be an ongoing part of this awesome event – offering support, safety checks, and mini-cyclist education – and can’t wait to see you and your young’uns at this year’s to-do.
For details and info, CLICK HERE. Event runs TOMORROW, JUNE 10 from 10am-2pm!
HOMETOWN’S NON-HOSTILE MILFORD TAKE-OVER
Hometown shirts and jerseys were in abundance at last weekend’s MCMBA
Milford Bike Fest & Trail Challenge. Attendees said our Team represented in the best possible way, with scores of Hometownie volunteers and riders exhibiting the best in helpfulness, sportsmanship, and personability. We couldn’t be prouder of all of you!We were geeked to be this year’s premier Bike Shop Sponsor, and sent our Milford connection – Service Manager Matt Fitzhorn – to offer SAG and swag. He captured a few photos (above), including a sea of cycles, the beginner group ride, and a cozy collection of event tents, where Matt got participants back in the saddle. A great turn-out for a great event – shout out to the
MCMBA for our invite. We can’t wait to see what next year’s brings!
RIDE WITH SHAUN IN BRIGHTON’S JULY 4 PARADE!
This year, the whole family – Shaun and I and the kids – will be riding in Brighton’s 4th of July Parade, and we’re calling on all families with kids ages kindergarten through 5th grade to join us! There’s no charge!!
Brighton Optimist Club is the annual host of this well-loved Bike Decorating Contest & Parade Ride, and Hometown has enjoyed the privilege of helping their program grow year by year. In addition to hosting bike decorating parties at our shop and offering complimentary bike checks and helmet discounts to participants, we’re also providing free bicycle delivery and pick-up service to and from the parade! Details of this event can be found here, but here’s our mission…
Hometownies, let’s BLANKET this parade in bicycles!! Sign up now to be a part of making this the biggest bike entry in the history of the parade!
SAVE THE DATE: HOMETOWN JULY JUBILEE (7/15)
Leapfrogging off the fun that was had at
last year’s July Jubilee, we’re celebrating this year’s
Sunday, July 15th event with a day of cycling, sales, family activities, food, sweets, games, prizes, special guests, and then kicking it up a notch with a special evening concert starring Hometown’s CycloDan Tribble and his Progressive Blues & Rhythm Band. Add it to your calendar, and stay tuned for details!
REGISTER FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS: JUNE 23
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BICYCLE
UPCOMING SHOP RIDES
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 | 11:00AM (MEET BY 10:45AM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster!
Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
Hartland Gravel Grinder – Intermediate/Advanced
SUNDAY, JUNE 10 | 9:00AM (MEET BY 8:45AM) | FROM HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Come enjoy beautiful, HILLY country roads and wonderful ride company. Expect several TOUGH, LONG CLIMBS, at an average 14 – 15 MPH pace for all 28.2 miles. The group may split into 2, with the front pack averaging > 15 mph. (Check out Dan’s Gravel Grinding 101 ride for a less grueling option.) Cross/Gravel, Mountain and Fat bikes are welcome. Meet in the Hartland Twp. Hall lower parking lot (turn right once in the drive) at 2655 Clark Rd. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
*** RENT A FAT BIKE AT THE SHOP! ***
………………………………………………..
Exploring Trails Mountain Bike Ride
SUNDAY, JUNE 10 | 4:30PM (MEET BY 4:15PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Join your Hometown Crew for our beginner-friendly mountain bike trail ride, which encourages riders to explore new trails as their skill level increases. This week, we’ll enjoy 9 – 15 miles of Island Lake single track over the course of 1.5 hours. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. Riders under 15 must remain with their guardian throughout the ride. Be mindful that the trail has several hills and some minimum level of fitness will be helpful to make for a positive experience.
Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!*** RENT A FAT BIKE AT THE SHOP! ***
Monday Beginner-Friendly Road Ride
SATURDAY, JUNE 11 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster!
Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
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TUESDAY, JUNE 12 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Want to learn to ride with a peloton? This ADVANCED, road warrior training is led by our Team racers! You’ll learn and practice: draft lines, hill repeats and intervals. Come ready to work hard at an average 20mph pace. Bring a cadence sensor, speed sensor, and heart rate monitor.
Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!………………………………………………..
Ladies’ Road Ride
TUESDAY, JUNE 12 | 7:00PM (MEET BY 6:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, this one’s just for you! This weekly, road ride is for gals of all ability levels. We’ll ride the well-known “green dumpster” loop at Island Lake (~14 miles) at a conversational, 10mph pace. All bikes welcome, NO DROP RIDE. Afterward, relax, connect, and rehydrate with your new biking friends. BYOB!Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
Gravel Grinding 101
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ride with your Hometown bike guru, CycloDan Tribble! Front and rear light required, as we end at dusk. This ride weaves through and around Island Lake, covering 13+ miles of pavement, dirt trails and gravel roads (a few hills just for fun!) at an average 12-13 mph. Expect a “puddle” or two of sand and a few face slappers on the trails this time of year. Nothing our gravel, adventure or mountain/fat bikes can’t easily handle. Skinny tire bikes will NOT work for this ride. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
*** RENT A FAT BIKE AT THE SHOP! ***
Ladies Only Beginner Mountain Bike Ride
THURSDAY, JUNE 14 | 6:30PM (MEET BY 6:15PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, come learn beginning mountain bike skills! We’ll tackle the trails in manageable bites, with the empowering support of skilled and supportive Hometown women. We’ll ride together to Island Lake Recreation Area, and focus on taking the fear and uncertainty out of riding the trails! NO DROP. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!
*** RENT A FAT BIKE AT THE SHOP! ***
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Many of you are familiar with the rockin’ beats and great cardio that take place weekly on our showroom floor. But for those who haven’t yet experienced fitness classes at Hometown, or simply want a high-energy pick-me-up, here are a few classes you’ll absolutely want to try!
CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop in / $5 equipment rental –
With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more
ZUMBA | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more
A good day is a good day. A bad day is a good story. At the end of the day, it’s all good.
~ Glennon Melton
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Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 4th of July parade, andrew jackson, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike decorating contest, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, Brighton Optimist Club, Brighton Recreation Area, Cardio Drumming, cycling, cyclists, Cyclo Dan Tribble, Events Coordinator, fairs, festivals, fishing, fitness classes, group rides, Hanson Hills Challenge, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, Island Lake Recreation Area, Jim Cleer, July Jubilee, Laura Faunce, Leslie Barrett, Linc Wehrly, livingston county, Lowry Solutions, Martha Soraruf, Matt Fitzhorn, MCMBA, Michigan, Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge, mountain bike race, Poses Pedals and Pints, PotoMBA, Progressive Blues and Rhythm Band, Pure Michigan, Ride Coordinator, Riverbend picnic area, SAG, Sean Lowry, Shaun Bhajan, shop rides, Steve Steinberg, Steve Wortley, T-Shirt Ride, Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Team Hometown Bicycles, team picnic, TKMBD, Tocca Massage and Yoga, zumba | Leave a comment »
So many races, and so much participation! In August, Amy Daybird competed in the Ludington Lighthouse Triathlon, and Nancy and Mike Kessler took on the Running Fit T-Rex Triathlon. Mike went on to compete in the Dirty Dog Triathlon. (Goooo, Mike!) Next up was the Maybury Time Trial Mountain Bike Race with competitors Mike Dyer, Erik Frazier, Keith Cowger and Jim Thompson. Last but not least, Joe Ostervik raced the Debaets-Devos Pro-Am Memorial.
As we rolled into September, Sarah Dudley-Short and Jeff Short competed in the Tawas Triwith Sarah earning 2nd overall and Jeff placing 6th overall. Uncle John’s Dirty Road Raceincluded Jack Riddle, Joe Ostervik, Al DeLeon and James Staples.
The 18th Annual Labor Day 30K in Milford was attended by Adam Baranski, Cindy Chisholm, Colin Chisholm, Laura Faunce, Jacob Henriksen, Nancy Kessler, Mike Kessler, Joe Ostervik, Roger Pelkey and Marilyn Reichenbach. Joe Ostervik took 2nd in age group and 9th overall. Jacob Henriksen got 3rd in fat bike and Adam Baranski took 5th in age group.
We’re just a few weeks away from Hometown’s, hands-down-favorite, local ride – the scenic and sensational Tour de Livingston! With distances ranging from 5 to 100 miles, routes that cover the prettiest parts of Livingston County during peak fall color, and the opportunity to ride GM Proving Grounds, this Howell Rotary fundraiser for Livingston County United Way is an absolute must-ride!
Turns out League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB)is adding two new members to their team: Communications Director and Development Director. These positions are a wonderful opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to make a big impact in the sport they love. This year alone, LMB passed seven laws towards the betterment of Michigan cycling. Both positions will allow you to help make the Michigan roads safer for everyone. For more information, visit www.LMB.org.
On our way back to Michigan, we stopped in Niagara Falls, Canada and rode 35 miles on the Niagara River Recreation Trail. We just had to dip our hands in Lake Ontario, the only Great Lake we had never visited. Thanks to the Hometown mechanics, our bikes held up great and we had no problems. We’re already thinking about next summer’s big trip, so if there is anyone who is interested in bike touring, see us!”
